High-Purity Hydrogen Gas Production Equipment

About this product

This is a process of manufacturing hydrogen from methanol that was developed collectively via MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY's proprietary methanol-related catalyst technologies. This process is comprised of a steam-reforming process where a simple mixed vapor of methanol and steam is fed to the catalyst developed by MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY and broken down, in conjunction with the well-known PSA (pressure swing absorption purification technique) as the gas purification technique.

This process, which was developed collectively with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical’s original Methanol -related catalyst technology, is a process for producing hydrogen from Methanol . It is comprised of a steam reforming process in which a simple mixed vapor of Methanol and steam is fed to the catalyst developed by MGC and broken down, in conjunction with the well-known PSA (pressure swing absorption purification technique) as the gas purification technique. This process produces and supplies High-purity hydrogen gas production equipment on-site simply and economically. The demand for High-purity hydrogen gas production equipment is rapidly growing in the electronics, fine ceramics, and fine chemical industries. Hydrogen gas for fuel cells and gas turbines is also attracting attention in the field of next generation energy. Link(s)

Outline The MGC MH-MD process is comprised of a reforming process, purification process, and heat transfer system. Methanol reforming The catalyst in the decomposition reaction vessel allows the mixed vapor of Methanol and water vapor to undergo both a Methanol decomposition reaction and CO transformation reaction in the same vessel. CH3OH → CO+2H2-23.5kcal/mole CO+H2O → CO2+H2+8.7kcal/mole ----------------------------------------------------- CH3OH+H2O → CO2+3H2-14.8kcal/mole The hydrogen-producing reaction that occurs due to the decomposition of Methanol is an endothermic reaction, so the heat required by the decomposition reaction is provided via heat transfer flowing over the exterior of the catalyst tube. The Methanol and water vapor, which is chiefly composed of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, becomes a reformed gas composed of a small quantity of carbon monoxide, methane, and unreacted Methanol and water vapor. Heat recovery To achieve energy conservation in the process, heat recovery from the reformed gas is performed, and the PSA unit’s verge gas is efficiently used as fuel for heat transfer heating. Recovery of unreacted Methanol The unreacted Methanol and water vapor contained in the reformed gas that exits the decomposition reaction vessel is cooled, condenses, and returns to the decomposition reaction vessel again to be used as raw material. Purity of reformed gas The reformed gas (unrefined hydrogen gas) isolated from unreacted Methanol and water vapor in the gas-liquid separator contains impurities such as CO, CO2 and Methanol and water equivalent to the equilibrium vapor pressure. The unrefined hydrogen gas is turned into High-purity hydrogen gas production equipment by performing absorption removal of impurities in a PSA process gas refinery. The product hydrogen has a purity of over 99.999 vol%. Furthermore, if the palladium alloy membrane method is concurrently employed, it is possible to refine ultra-high purity hydrogen gas with a purity of over 99.99999 vol%.

Features Anticipates the needs of the age High-purity hydrogen gas production equipment can be produced on-site. Low temperature highly active catalyst Based on MGC’s experience in developing and producing Methanol -related catalysts over the years, MGC employs a highly active, long-lived reforming catalyst produced at its catalyst plant. This catalyst is low temperature (240-249℃), possesses extremely high activity, and is fully reliable with regards to strength and longevity. Compact facilities Because this process is simple, decomposing the Methanol in a single step, few machines are needed and large facilities are unnecessary. Furthermore, low-capacity equipment can be provided as a package, making on-site construction simple. Superb operability The process has been designed based on MGC’s long experience in chemical plant operation technology. The facilities are automated, easily started and stopped, and can be administered by just performing periodic patrols throughout year-round operations. Clean transportation and storage of Methanol made easy Compared to natural gas, naphtha, or LNG, the raw Methanol is clean, requires no preprocessing, is simple to transport and store, and is safe. Stable supply of Methanol As the top manufacturer of Methanol , MGC guarantees the quality and supply stability of its raw Methanol . MGC has secured Methanol stock points all over Japan, ensuring a stable supply system. Supports hydrogen gas applications by design On demand, optimal equipment can be designed based on the MGC MH-MD standard specification. Please inquire for further details.

Product hydrogen and unit of output Standard equipment specifications Capacity: 20～10,000Nm3/h Operating pressure: 0.8～4Mpa・G Operating temperature: 240～290℃ Standard product gas composition Pressure: 0.8～4Mpa・G Temperature: up to 45℃ Dew point: below -70℃ Purity: H2 99.9～99.999vol% / CO 1.0ppm以下 / CO2 1.0ppm以下 Standard unit of output --expected value of about 1Nm3-- Methanol: 0.58kg Purified water: 0.32kg Supplement fuel (A Fuel Oil): 0.04kg Cooling water (△T=10℃): 0.02ton Electric power: 0.04kWh Ground-floor area ※Above figures are approximate. It is possible to adapt the layout to the site. Patents Published unexamined patent application No. 59-131501 Published unexamined patent application No. 59-131502 Published unexamined patent application No. 59-152205 Published unexamined patent application No. 59-189937 Published unexamined patent application No. 62-049947 Published unexamined patent application No. 62-246803 Published unexamined patent application No. 62-260702