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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

The application of pre-reforming technology in the production of hydrogen

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7285760
; ;  [1]
  1. ICI Katalco, Oak Brook Terrace, IL (United States)
Because of the legislated changes in different hydrocarbon fuels, the hydrogen balance and product mix in refineries is changing. Many oil companies are exploring ways to increase the hydrogen supply in their refineries. Some companies have chosen to build new steam-reforming hydrogen plants; others are looking to debottleneck existing hydrogen plants or to send alternative feeds to their steam reformer. Pre-reforming technology provides refiners with another option to consider in their quest to balance hydrogen production and product mix. Pre-reforming technology may allow refineries to increase hydrogen production under certain circumstances. It may also be used to increase the refiner's flexibility in the feedstocks sent to the hydrogen plant, such as butanes and higher hydrocarbons. This paper addresses the suitability of a pre-reformer both in existing plants and in new hydrogen plant designs. Some other approaches, which may be used either as alternatives to, or in conjunction with, pre-reforming, are also described.
Research Organization:
ICI Katalco, Oak Brook Terrace, IL (United States)
OSTI ID:
7285760
Report Number(s):
AM-93-22
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English