Article: Sensitivity analysis in a simulated auto thermal Natural Gas reforming process Journal: International Journal of Alternative Propulsion (IJAP) 2008 Vol.2 No.1 pp.50 - 71 Abstract: Auto Thermal natural gas Reforming (ATR) is one of the mostly used conventional hydrogen generation technologies by the highly developed countries. ATR reactors do not need any direct or indirect heat exchanger, and that is why they are more compact and so preferable than the other reformers. In this study, a process including reformers, carbon dioxide sequestration and a cryogenic separation sub-process is simulated for a defined standardised base case feed streams. Operating conditions of the main equipments, the inlet and the outlet stream properties and compositions, general mass balances and also the possible solid carbon dioxide formation conditions of the process streams are estimated to show the consistency of the process for the base case. In the sensitivity study, the effects of O2/C and H2O/C feed stream mass ratios and the capacity of the process on flow rates of the process stream compositions, e.g. hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, residual water and methane, etc. are investigated. In addition, the effects of reforming and the shift reactor temperatures on the total hydrogen generation are determined. Consequently, the possible steam generation conditions and hydrogen, carbon dioxide separation units| operating conditions are examined for the simulated process, considering the base case defined. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

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Title: Sensitivity analysis in a simulated auto thermal Natural Gas reforming process

Authors: H. Baloglu, G. Nasin-Saygili

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: Auto Thermal natural gas Reforming (ATR) is one of the mostly used conventional hydrogen generation technologies by the highly developed countries. ATR reactors do not need any direct or indirect heat exchanger, and that is why they are more compact and so preferable than the other reformers. In this study, a process including reformers, carbon dioxide sequestration and a cryogenic separation sub-process is simulated for a defined standardised base case feed streams. Operating conditions of the main equipments, the inlet and the outlet stream properties and compositions, general mass balances and also the possible solid carbon dioxide formation conditions of the process streams are estimated to show the consistency of the process for the base case. In the sensitivity study, the effects of O₂/C and H₂O/C feed stream mass ratios and the capacity of the process on flow rates of the process stream compositions, e.g. hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, residual water and methane, etc. are investigated. In addition, the effects of reforming and the shift reactor temperatures on the total hydrogen generation are determined. Consequently, the possible steam generation conditions and hydrogen, carbon dioxide separation units| operating conditions are examined for the simulated process, considering the base case defined.

Keywords: auto thermal reforming; ATR; natural gas; cryogenic separation; hydrogen production; partial oxidation; methane; POX; process simulation; sensitivity analysis; steam-methane reforming; SMR; water–gas shift; WGS; carbon dioxide sequestration; simulation; flow rates; hydrogen generation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAP.2008.019693

International Journal of Alternative Propulsion, 2008 Vol.2 No.1, pp.50 - 71

Published online: 21 Jul 2008 *

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Title: Sensitivity analysis in a simulated auto thermal Natural Gas reforming process

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