Integrating safety and economics in designing a steam methane reforming process. (29th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ade, Nilesh; Alsuhaibani, Abdulrahman; El-Halwagi, Mahmoud M.; Goyette, Henry; Wilhite, Benjamin
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 47:Number 9(2022)
• Page Start: 6404
• Page End: 6414
• Publication Date: 2022-01-29
• Subjects: Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) -- Inherent safety -- Steam methane reforming (SMR) -- Hydrogen production; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.11.240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The recent explosion at a steam reforming facility producing hydrogen in California, U.S., suggests the need to revisit the design of the traditional steam methane reforming (SMR) process from a safety perspective to further enable the growth of the hydrogen economy. Specifically, it is important to analyze the interaction between process, economic and safety variables within the SMR process through an integrated model approach to maintain positive economics of hydrogen production while making the process safer. The integrated model described within this study consists of process synthesis, quantitative risk assessment and economic analysis sub-models facilitating a holistic design for the SMR process. The usefulness of the integrated model is demonstrated by evaluating alternatives based on the inherently safer design philosophy. For the considered base design, it was found that decreasing the pressure of purge gas exiting the purge gas compressor leads to a reduction in the jet-fire axial risk distance of purge gas with minor economic benefits. Also, increasing the temperature of syngas entering the condensation unit leads to a reduction in the jet-fire axial risk distance for both purge gas and syngas with slight decrease in process economics. Highlights: Proposed integrated model for designing steam methane reforming process. Model analyzes the interaction between process, economic and safety variables. Application of the model is demonstrated by inherently safer design philosophy.