Simulation of Methane Slippage in Steam Methane Reforming

• Main Author: Zulkefli, Mohd Fahmi
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Petronas 2011
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/8942/1/2011-Simulation%20Of%20Methane%20Slippage%20In%20Steam%20Methane%20Reforming.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/8942/

Hydrogen production technologies have emerged as a one of the most researched and promising future global energy. Hydrogen economy is a vision for future in with hydrogen replaced conventional power sources to reduce addiction on non-renewable energy and to drastically reduced harmful emissions to the environment. For this technology, hydrogen is mostly produced from hydrocarbons. Therefore, many research have been conducted on hydrogen production from hydrocarbons to fmd the most economical, efficient and practical method of producing hydrogen. On this research, a simulation plant model using steam methane reforming has been designed to observe methane slippage effect at reformer. From the simulation plant model, an analysis on the causes and effects of the methane slippage process is determined based on variation of composition in feedstock (natural gas). Based on several cases that contribute to high methane slippage namely variation of carbon dioxide content in natural gas, steam to carbon ratio and reformer outlet temperature are highlighted in the report. This research was carried out using computational tools, which is Aspen HYSYS 2006. Aspen HYSYS 2006 provides tool to design a steady and dynamics state simulation plant model of hydrogen production from methane. The software also allows us to study and analyze the process directly, by manipulating the process variable and unit operation topology. There are two steps to be follow in order to develop and analyze the simulation plant model, begin with base case development and base case validation. Validation of this simulation data has been compared with actual data from Petronas Fertilizer Kedah (PFKSB), an ammonia plant in Malaysia.