Direct generation of hydrogen in a syngas reactor

The author investigated a process of direct hydrogen production from natural gas or coal in a syngas reactor. The methane conversion rate can be raised to more than 90% by integrating palladium permeation membranes in a reformer for steam cracking of natural gas using HTR process heat. If the dry product gas is emitted as lean gas, further treatment of the gas becomes unnecessary. The resulting high-purity hydrogen has a low pressure level and must be compressed. With direct withdrawal of hydrogen, the kinetics of carbon conversion is improved, and the formation of methane inside the gas generator is largely suppressed. This results in a decrease of the mean reaction temperature and an increase in the integrable helium heat of the HTR. The hydrogen yield as referred to the initial carbon volume can be increased significantly. In addition, the process will require less process steam. (orig./GG)