Simulation of Methane Slippage in Steam Methane Reforming

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.