Abstract: A process is proposed for producing pure hydrogen by steam reforming of a feed gas comprising hydrocarbons, preferably natural gas or naphtha, with a simultaneously low and preferably adjustable export steam flow rate. The process includes the steam reforming of the feed gas, for which the heat of reaction required is provided by combustion of one or more fuel gases with combustion air in a multitude of burners arranged within the reformer furnace. According to the invention, the combustion air, before being introduced into the burners, is heated by means of at least one heat exchanger in indirect heat exchange with the hot flue gas to temperatures of at least 530° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for producing pure hydrogen from an input gas containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons, in particular from a hydrogen-containing refinery off-gas, by steam reforming in a steam reforming stage and multi-stage hydrogen enrichment. According to the invention the input gas containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons is separated in a first hydrogen enrichment stage into a hydrogen-enriched substream and a hydrogen-depleted substream, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen-enriched substream is supplied to a second hydrogen enrichment stage or introduced into the pure hydrogen product stream and at least a portion of the hydrogen-depleted substream is supplied to the steam reforming stage as a reforming feed stream or as part thereof and/or to the burners as a fuel gas stream.

Abstract: A method for improving a reforming process by using renewable electrical energy as a heating input to the reforming process is provided. The method includes partially preheating combustion air using a first electrical heater, wherein the first electrical heater is configured to be supplied with the renewable electrical energy generated by a renewable source, wherein the first electrical heater is integrated in between a cold air preheater and a hot air preheater of a process plant that performs the reforming process; utilizing, by the first electrical heater, a bad based on an availability of the renewable electrical energy received from the renewable source; and providing, by the first electrical heater, the preheated combustion air at an outlet of the first electrical heater to a boiler of the process plant based on the bad utilized by the first electrical heater.

Abstract: A process is proposed for producing pure hydrogen by steam reforming of a feed gas comprising hydrocarbons, preferably natural gas or naphtha, with a simultaneously low and preferably adjustable export steam flow rate. The process includes the steam reforming of the feed gas, for which the heat of reaction required is provided by combustion of one or more fuel gases with combustion air in a multitude of burners arranged within the reformer furnace. According to the invention, the combustion air, before being introduced into the burners, is heated by means of at least one heat exchanger in indirect heat exchange with the hot flue gas to temperatures of at least 530° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for producing hydrogen by steam reforming and high-temperature electrolysis. Steam reforming produces a synthesis gas from a carbon-containing starting material and steam. Process heat generated in the context of the steam reforming is utilized for producing steam from water. Thus-produced steam is utilized as reactant for producing an electrolysis product in a high-temperature electrolysis step, wherein the electrolysis product includes at least hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is separated from the synthesis gas produced by steam reforming and from the electrolysis product produced by high-temperature electrolysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing an olefin-containing feed stream for a steam reforming plant. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the olefin-containing hydrocarbon starting material is for this purpose vaporized and catalytically hydrogenated. The hydrogenation product stream obtained is separated into a gaseous reforming feed stream, which is fed to a steam reforming plant, and a gaseous recycle stream. As a result of the cooling according to the invention of the gaseous recycle stream down to at least partial condensation thereof and the separate recirculation of the gaseous partial recycle stream and of the liquid partial recycle stream, the procurement of a large and complicated circulation compressor is avoided and electric energy for operating this compressor is saved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for producing pure hydrogen from an input gas containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons, in particular from a hydrogen-containing refinery off-gas, by steam reforming in a steam reforming stage and multi-stage hydrogen enrichment. According to the invention the input gas containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons is separated in a first hydrogen enrichment stage into a hydrogen-enriched substream and a hydrogen-depleted sub stream, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen-enriched substream is supplied to a second hydrogen enrichment stage or introduced into the pure hydrogen product stream and at least a portion of the hydrogen-depleted substream is supplied to the steam reforming stage as a reforming feed stream or as part thereof and/or to the burners as a fuel gas stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing an olefin-containing feed stream for a steam reforming plant. According to the invention, the olefin-containing hydrocarbon starting material is for this purpose heated, vaporized and catalytically hydrogenated. The hydrogenation product stream obtained is separated in a separation apparatus into a gaseous reforming feed stream, which is fed to a steam reforming plant, and a gaseous recycle stream. Here, the entry temperature of the hydrogenation input stream into the hydrogenation reactor is regulated via the degree to which it is heated and/or via the size of the recycle stream. Safe operation of the hydrogenation reactor over a wide range of olefin contents in the hydrocarbon feed is made possible in this way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing an olefin-containing feed stream for a steam reforming plant. According to the invention, the olefin-containing hydrocarbon starting material is for this purpose heated, vaporized and catalytically hydrogenated. The hydrogenation product stream obtained is separated in a separation apparatus into a gaseous reforming feed stream, which is fed to a steam reforming plant, and a gaseous recycle stream. Here, the entry temperature of the hydrogenation input stream into the hydrogenation reactor is regulated via the degree to which it is heated and/or via the size of the recycle stream. Safe operation of the hydrogenation reactor over a wide range of olefin contents in the hydrocarbon feed is made possible in this way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing an olefin-containing feed stream for a steam reforming plant. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the olefin-containing hydrocarbon starting material is for this purpose vaporized and catalytically hydrogenated. The hydrogenation product stream obtained is separated into a gaseous reforming feed stream, which is fed to a steam reforming plant, and a gaseous recycle stream. As a result of the cooling according to the invention of the gaseous recycle stream down to at least partial condensation thereof and the separate recirculation of the gaseous partial recycle stream and of the liquid partial recycle stream, the procurement of a large and complicated circulation compressor is avoided and electric energy for operating this compressor is saved.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen generation system and method for using the same are provided. The system includes an HDS unit configured to desulfurize hydrocarbons, a pre-reformer configured to convert heavy hydrocarbons within the process gas stream to methane, a reformer configured to produce a syngas stream and a flue gas, a PSA unit configured to produce a product hydrogen stream and a PSA off-gas stream, and means for cooling the flue gas against a combustion air and the PSA off-gas stream to a temperature below the dew point of sulfuric acid.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen generation system and method for using the same are provided. The system includes an HDS unit configured to desulfurize hydrocarbons, a pre-reformer configured to convert heavy hydrocarbons within the process gas stream to methane, a reformer configured to produce a syngas stream and a flue gas, a PSA unit configured to produce a product hydrogen stream and a PSA off-gas stream, and means for cooling the flue gas against a combustion air and the PSA off-gas stream to a temperature below the dew point of sulfuric acid.