Abstract: A method for converting an existing steam methane reformer (SMR) to produce hydrogen via ammonia cracking is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing the existing SMR, wherein the SMR was formerly used to produce hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock; and improving the nitridation resistance of the inner surface of the equipment by adding a protective layer to an inner surface of equipment to be used in the existing SMR, wherein the equipment is selected from the group consisting of a catalyst tube, feed piping, a feed preheater, process gas heat exchangers, and combination thereof.

Abstract: A hydrogen production facility having equipment with a nitridation protective layer is provided. The hydrogen production facility can include a reformer configured to catalytically convert a feed stream into a product stream comprising hydrogen, the reformer having a plurality of catalyst tubes and a plurality of burners configured to provide heat to the catalyst tubes; means for providing the feed stream to the reformer from an ammonia source, wherein the feed stream comprises at least 90% of ammonia, wherein the plurality of catalyst tubes comprise a nitridation protective layer on an inner surface of the catalyst tubes.