Importance

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Abstract

A novel steam reformer unit design, a novel hydrogen PSA unit design, a novel hydrogen/nitrogen enrichment unit design, and novel processing scheme application are presented. The result of these innovations results in re-allocating most of the total hydrogen plant CO2 emissions load to high pressure syngas stream exiting the water gas shift reactor while minimizing the CO2 emissions load from the reformer furnace flue gas. As compared to the conventional 60/40 split of total CO2 emissions in syngas/flue gas streams for steam reformer based conventional hydrogen plant designs, the present invention results in 85/15 or better CO2 split. This will permit about 85% or better of the total CO2 emissions load to be captured from the syngas stream, using the conventional, well proven and cost effective amine scrubbing technology. Such 85% or better CO2 capture is much greater than the 55% to 60% maximum possible using conventional steam reformer based hydrogen plant technology. As CO2 recovery from high pressure syngas stream is much easier and cost effective as compared to that from low pressure reformer furnace flue gases, a major cost benefit for equivalent CO2 recovery results with the present invention.

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First Claim