Development of membrane reformer system for highly efficient hydrogen production from natural gas Shirasaki, Y; Tsuneki, T; Ota, Y; Yasuda, I [Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., Technology Research Institute, 1-7-7 Suehiro-chio, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 (Japan)]; Tachibana, S; Nakajima, H; Kobayashi, K [Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., 4-6-22 Kan-on-Shin-Machi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima 733-8553 (Japan)] 08 HYDROGEN; MEMBRANES; HYDROGEN PRODUCTION; HYDROGEN; PRODUCTION; NATURAL GAS; STEAM; PALLADIUM; SEPARATION PROCESSES; PURIFICATION; CAPACITY; CONFIGURATION; IMPURITIES; ENERGY EFFICIENCY; COMMERCIALIZATION; RELIABILITY; ENGINEERING; TARGETS; STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES; Membrane reformer; hydrogen production; natural gas reforming Membrane reformer; hydrogen production; natural gas reforming A membrane reformer is composed of a steam reformer equipped with palladium-based alloy membrane modules and can perform steam reforming reaction of natural gas and hydrogen separation processes simultaneously, without shift converters and purification systems. We have developed a membrane reformer system with nominal hydrogen production capacity of 40 Nm{sup 3}/h. The system has demonstrated the potential advantages of the membrane reformer: simple system configuration as benefited by single-step production of high-purity hydrogen (99.999% level), compactness, and high-energy efficiency of 70-76%. We are promoting development towards commercialization of the membrane reformer technology, focusing on further improvement of energy efficiency, proof of long-term durability and reliability, and establishment of system engineering technologies. The target of our current project is to develop a membrane reformer system that can produce 99.99% or higher-purity hydrogen from natural gas at a rate of 40 Nm{sup 3}/h with hydrogen production energy efficiency of over 80%. (author) Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.08.056 United Kingdom 2009-05-15 English Journal Article Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy; Journal Volume: 34; Journal Issue: 10; Conference: 2. world hydrogen technologies convention, Singapore (Singapore), 3-5 Oct 2005; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved Medium: X; Size: page(s) 4482-4487 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJHYDENE.2008.08.056 [] 10 34 Journal ID: ISSN 0360-3199; IJHEDX; TRN: GB09V1990 GB 2010-01-01 21186417