ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS REFORMING TECHNIQUES AND FUEL  
 
SOURCES FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION 
 
 
 
 
Except where reference is made to the work of others, the work described in this thesis is 
my own or was done in collaboration with my advisory committee.  This thesis does not 
include proprietary or classified information. 
 
 
 
 
________________________________________ 
Kristin Hew McGlocklin 
 
 
 
Certificate of Approval: 
 
 
 
_______________________     ________________________ 
Christopher Roberts      Mario R. Eden, Chair 
Uthlaut Professor      Assistant Professor 
Chemical Engineering      Chemical Engineering 
 
 
 
_______________________     ________________________ 
Christine W. Curtis      William R. Ashurst 
Professor                                                                  Assistant Professor 
Chemical Engineering                                                            Chemical Engineering 
 
 
________________________ 
 Stephen L. McFarland 
 Acting Dean 
 Graduate School 
 
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS REFORMING TECHNIQUES AND FUEL  
 
SOURCES FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION 
 
 
 
Kristin Hew McGlocklin 
 
 
 
 
A Thesis 
Submitted to  
the Graduate Faculty of  
Auburn University 
in Partial Fulfillment of the 
Requirements for the 
Degree of 
Master of Science 
 
 
 
Auburn, Alabama 
December 15, 2006 
 iii
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS REFORMING TECHNIQUES AND FUEL  
 
SOURCES FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION 
 
 
 
 
Kristin Hew McGlocklin 
 
 
Permission is granted to Auburn University to make copies of this thesis at its discretion, 
upon request of individuals or institutions and at their expense. The author reserves all 
publication rights. 
 
 
 
 
 
______________________________ 
Signature of Author 
 
 
 
______________________________ 
Date of Graduation 
 
 
 
 iv
VITA 
Kristin Hew McGlocklin, daughter of Charles McGlocklin and Brenda 
McGlocklin, was born on January 6, 1981, in Athens, Alabama. She graduated from 
Ardmore High School as Salutorian in 1999. She graduated from Auburn University in 
August 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. After 
graduation Kristin entered the chemical engineering graduate program at Auburn 
University in 2004. Kristin is currently employed by the 3M Corporation as a product 
engineer. 
 
 v
THESIS ABSTRACT 
 
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS REFORMING TECHNIQUES AND FUEL  
 
SOURCES FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION 
 
Kristin Hew McGlocklin 
 
Master of Science, December 15, 2006 
B.ChE., Auburn University, 2004 
 
 
102 Typed Pages 
 
Directed by Mario Richard Eden 
 
 
Hydrogen is emerging as a future replacement fuel for the traditional fossil fuels 
that will be capable of satisfying our energy needs. Hydrogen may enable future energy 
systems to be cleaner, more reliable, and much more efficient; thus possibly ensuring our 
energy security and environmental viability. One of the many major challenges of a 
future hydrogen energy economy is the reduction in the cost of production, storage, and 
transportation of hydrogen. 
 A generic, robust optimization framework has been developed that enables the 
identification of economically optimal hydrogen production schemes. Inclusion of 
constraints on capacity, fuel complexity, and capital investment has been successfully 
tested for linear and non-linear functions. In this work a total of 16 rigorous process 
simulation models have been developed for multiple reformation strategies; steam
 vi
reformation (SR), partial oxidation (POX), auto thermal reformation (ATR), supercritical 
methanol reformation (SC), and dry methane reformation (DR). The various hydrogen 
production schemes were investigated for three different fuels: natural gas (approximated 
by methane), diesel (approximated by dodecane), and methanol. The models included all 
the feed pretreatment steps along with the reforming reactors and effluent treatment 
including the water gas shift reactors. Using process integration techniques and advanced 
computer-aided tools, the systems have been optimized and the economic potential of the 
technologies evaluated. This work provides a comparison of reformation strategies based 
on their utility requirements, effects of fuel complexity, energy integration potential, size 
constraints, electricity production capabilities, and economics; challenging previous ideas 
on how to compare the efficiency and economic feasibility of each reformation strategy. 
 The results obtained in this work indicate that for industrial scale production of 
hydrogen, only dry reforming (DR) of natural gas shows any promise for competing with 
the traditional reforming strategies like steam reforming (SR), partial oxidation (POX) 
and autothermal reforming (ATR). For size-constrained systems, e.g. onboard vehicular 
fuel processing systems, partial oxidation appears to provide the best trade-off between 
power production and system size. 
 
 vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
 
The author would like to thank Dr. Mario R. Eden for his guidance and mentoring 
throughout my college and graduate careers.  He has not only been a great teacher, but 
also a great friend. Thanks to my parents, Charles and Brenda McGlocklin, and my 
grandparents, Mac and Rosetta Landers and Mamie McGlocklin, for their love, 
encouragement and faith in me, without which this thesis would not have been 
completed. Thanks are also due to my friends and co-workers Fadwa Eljack, Ahmed 
Abdelhady, and Norman Sammons for their support during the last two years of working 
on this project. Also I would like to thank Rose Cummings for fruitful collaboration on 
parts of this project and for her contributions, particularly to the aspects of process 
integration under size constraints. Finally, I want to acknowledge the financial support 
for this project provided by the Department of Energy ? National Energy Technology 
Laboratory and the Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science (CFFS).  
 viii
Style manual or journal used: Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering 
 
Computer software used: Microsoft Windows XP 
 ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... xi 
 LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................... xiii 
1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 
2. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................ 3 
2.1. Environmental Effects ............................................................................................. 3 
2.2. Hydrogen as a Primary Energy Carrier of the Future.............................................. 5 
2.3. Reformation Strategies............................................................................................. 8 
2.3.1. Introduction????????????........................................................... 8 
2.3.2. Steam Reforming .................................................................................................. 8 
2.3.3. Partial Oxidation ................................................................................................. 11 
2.3.4. Auto Thermal Reforming.................................................................................... 12 
2.3.5. Supercritical Methanol Reforming ..................................................................... 14 
2.3.6. Dry Methane Reforming..................................................................................... 16 
2.3.7. Electrolysis.......................................................................................................... 17 
2.4. Challenges of the Future Hydrogen Economy....................................................... 18 
2.4.1. Introduction......................................................................................................... 18 
2.4.2. Hydrogen Storage ............................................................................................... 18 
2.4.3. Hydrogen Infrastructure...................................................................................... 19 
2.5. Fuel Cell Technology............................................................................................. 20 
2.5.1. Introduction......................................................................................................... 20 
2.5.2. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells ............................................................. 23 
2.5.3. Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells .............................................................................. 24 
2.5.4. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells........................................................................................ 25 
2.6. Test Bed Summary................................................................................................. 25 
 
3. SYSTEM MODELING AND INTEGRATION........................................................... 29 
3.1. Process Modeling................................................................................................... 29 
3.2. Process Integration................................................................................................. 30 
 
4. MODELING PROCEDURE ........................................................................................ 36
x 
5. MODEL SPECIFICATION.......................................................................................... 38 
5.1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 38 
5.2. Steam Reformation (SR) Models........................................................................... 40 
5.3. Partial Oxidation (POX) Models ........................................................................... 42 
5.4. Auto Thermal Reformation (ATR) Models ........................................................... 44 
5.5. Supercritical (SC) Methanol Reformation Models................................................ 46 
5.6. Dry (DR) Methane Reformation Models............................................................... 47 
 
6. HEAT INTEGRATION PROCEDURE....................................................................... 50 
7. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ............................................................................................ 55 
8. ANALYSIS OF LARGE AND SMALL SCALE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION ...... 62 
9. ANALYSIS OF HYDROGEN PRODUCTION UNDER SIZE CONSTRAINTS...... 72 
9.1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 72 
9.2. Simulation Results ................................................................................................. 73 
 
10. CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................ 79 
10.1. Achievements....................................................................................................... 79 
10.2. Remaining Challenges & Future Work................................................................ 81 
 
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 85 
APPENDIX A..................................................................................................................CD 
I. Aspen Plus Simulation Models.................................................................................CD 
II. Aspen HX-Net Models............................................................................................CD 
III. Aspen Icarus Process Evaluator Models................................................................CD 
 
 
 
 
 xi
LIST OF FIGURES  
 
Figure 1. Generic fuel cell schematic ............................................................................... 25 
Figure 2. Fuel processing test bed schematic.................................................................... 25 
Figure 3. Photograph of fuels processing test bed ............................................................ 26 
Figure 4. WGS catalyst in Nickel fibers ........................................................................... 27 
Figure 5. PROX catalyst on Al
2
O
3
 support....................................................................... 27 
Figure 6. Analysis of preformer effluent by gas chromatography.................................... 27 
Figure 7. Analysis of postformer effluent by gas chromatography .................................. 27 
Figure 8. Construction of hot composite curve from three streams.................................. 32 
Figure 9. Thermal pinch diagram...................................................................................... 33 
Figure 10. Hydrogen production schematic for the primary reformation strategies......... 38 
Figure 11. Hydrogen production schematic for Supercritical Methanol Reforming........ 39 
Figure 12. Hydrogen production schematic for Dry Methane Reforming........................ 39 
Figure 13. Steam Refoming (SR) block diagram.............................................................. 42 
Figure 14. Partial Oxidation (POX) block diagram.......................................................... 44 
Figure 15. Auto Thermal Reformation (ATR) block diagram.......................................... 46 
Figure 16. Supercritical (SC) Methanol Reformation block diagram............................... 47 
Figure 17. Dry Methane Reformation diagram................................................................. 49 
Figure 18. Stream data input form in Aspentech HX-Net ................................................ 51
xii 
Figure 19. Pinch analysis summary from Aspentech HX-Net.......................................... 53 
Figure 20. Example heat exchanger network generated in Aspentech HX-Net ............... 54 
Figure 21. Linear relationships between the reactor cost and the area ......................... ?57 
Figure 22. Heat exchanger cost analysis data input page in Aspentech Icarus????..58 
Figure 23. Reactor cost analysis data input in Aspentech Icarus???????..?.....58 
Figure 24. Results from the Icarus economic analysis?????????..????59 
Figure 25. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet economic calculations and formulas???.?.60 
Figure 26. C
12
 H
26
 Steam reforming (SR) Total Production Cost Analysis ..................... 65 
Figure 27. C
12
 H
26
 Auto Thermal reformation (ATR) Total Production Cost Analysis... 66 
Figure 28. C
12
 H
26
 Partial Oxidation (POX) Total Production Cost Analysis.................. 66 
Figure 29. CH
4
 Steam reforming (SR) Total Production Cost Analysis .......................... 67 
Figure 30. CH
4
 Auto Thermal reformation (ATR) Total Production Cost Analysis....?.67 
 
Figure 31. CH
4
 Partial Oxidation (POX) Total Production Cost Analysis????...?.68 
 
Figure 32. Supercritical (SC) Methanol reforming??????...????????.69 
 
Figure 33. Dry (DR) Methane reformation?????????...????????.70 
 
Figure 34. Relative hydrogen production cost...???????...????????.71 
 
Figure 35. HX area and electricity production for best energy utilization........................75 
Figure 36. HX area and electricity production for maximum power production..............76 
 
Figure 37. Relationship between fuel storage volume and electricity production???77 
 
 
 
 
 xiii
LIST OF TABLES 
 
Table 1. Results from process integration analysis (large scale production).................... 63 
Table 2. Results from process integration analysis (small scale production)................... 64 
Table 3. Summary of integration potential of fuel reforming models .............................. 73 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
1. INTRODUCTION 
 
Energy systems of the future will need to be cleaner, more reliable, and much 
more efficient to ensure our energy security and environmental viability. Hydrogen is a 
potential answer to satisfying many of our energy needs, and considered to be one of the 
best candidates for replacing fossil fuels. The sale of hydrogen has increased 6% annually 
in the last five years. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2004)  This is largely due to an 
increased use of hydrogen in oil refineries, which is a result of stricter regulations on the 
quality of fuels. Using hydrogen as a source of energy is not a new idea. Hydrogen has 
been used domestically and in industrialized processes for many years.  Current interests 
in producing hydrogen for energy arises from today?s environmental and energy policies 
concerning climate change, air pollution, energy supply security, and breakthroughs in 
fuel cell technology. Furthermore, the integration potential of a fuels processing system is 
inherently large, in terms of both energy and material recovery (Godat et al., 2003). The 
transition to a hydrogen economy will progress through multiple production processes 
and will eventually evolve into sustainable production. The reality is that while a growing 
hydrogen economy already exists in the chemical and refining industries, a much greater 
one is to come.  
The objective of this work is to develop process simulation models of various fuel 
reforming strategies, generate the data required for subsequently performing
2 
thermal pinch analyses, evaluate the integration potential of the processes to identify 
potential energy savings, and generate production cost reports for each reforming method 
based on specific hydrocarbon fuels. Several reforming strategies will be evaluated to 
compare energy and cost savings. Also various hydrocarbon fuels will be investigated to 
observe how fuel complexity affects integration potential and overall production costs. 
The main goal of this work is to determine which combination of reforming strategy and 
hydrocarbon fuel is the most effective and cost efficient for a given application. 
 
 3
2. BACKGROUND 
 
2.1. Environmental Effects 
 
A future hydrogen economy would significantly reduce air, water, and soil 
pollution; along with reducing the irreversible effects of climate changes. The burning of 
fossil fuels generates emissions to the air, while a wide variety of other energy production 
and consumption processes deliver direct emissions to the water and soil.  
There are three major generation sources that release emissions into the air. The 
generation sources are as follows: stationary combustion, mobile applications, and 
processing. Stationary combustion is responsible for emissions released due to burning of 
fossil fuels in different types of stationary applications, such as gas turbines. Mobile 
applications, such as automobiles, are accountable for any emissions released from forms 
of transportation. Finally, processing is responsible for all emissions released that are not 
caused by combustion, such as waste disposal processes. 
The three main emissions that are released to the environment are carbon dioxide 
(CO
2
), nitrogen oxides (NO
x
), and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC). 
Carbon dioxide is formed through combustion of fuels that contain carbon, while 
nitrogen oxides (NO, and NO
2
) are both formed during the combustion process. When 
these compounds are released into the atmosphere, they react with sunlight and cause 
smog. Vast ecosystem damage and increased potential for human cancer development are 
4 
just some of the examples of the ultimate prices that are being paid for consuming these 
fossil fuels. 
To avoid irreversible changes in the climate, the United Nations panel on climate 
change (IPCC) has estimated that global CO
2
 emissions will have to be reduced 50-60% 
over the next 100 years (U.S. Department of Energy, 2004). If we continue to burn fossil 
fuels at our present rate, we could experience a quadrupling of world CO
2
 emissions over 
the course of the next 125 years as a consequence of population growth and increased 
energy demands. (Lindebe, 1998)  
To achieve this goal, while allowing developing countries a certain percentage 
increase, already developed countries will have to decrease their emissions considerably. 
The use of cleaner fuels will help meet our environmental needs. The use of hydrogen 
will reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing the three-fold 
increase in thermal efficiency.  
Energy production must also become cleaner and more efficient to avoid 
permanent damage to our environment, caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Hydrogen 
production from fossil fuels affects the environment, by depleting natural resources and 
releasing carbon dioxide emissions. Energy needs are constantly increasing due to 
population and industrial growth. However, there is no immediate replacement for all 
forms of fossil fuels, given that 90% of the world?s hydrogen production comes from the 
processing of fossil fuels. Since fossil fuels can not be immediately replaced, the decision 
must be made on how to utilize the qualities of the different fossil fuels.  There are four 
important factors to take into account when choosing which fossil fuel is best for a 
 5
certain application, they are as follows: physical properties, energy content, 
environmental consequences, and economics.  
The physical properties of the fuels have a significant impact on the amount of 
useful energy that can be produced from each type of fossil fuel. For example coal in 
solid form provides the best longterm hydrogen storage, while liquid fuels provide the 
best transportation capabilities and also high hydrogen content. Natural gas has the 
highest hydrogen content, but is not feasible for transportation fuels.  
The future growth potential of each energy source is primarily dependent on their 
energy content. The larger the percentage concentration of hydrogen, the greater the 
energy content of that fossil fuel. 
Environmental impact is vastly dependent on the chemical makeup of the fuel. 
When looking at CO
2
 emission; the higher the carbon concentration in the fuel the more 
CO
2 
is produced by combustion. Since all processes ultimately have an impact on the 
environment, it is extremely important that all energy is used efficiently. To ensure that 
the energy is being used efficiently, processes should consume the least amount of energy 
that is technically possible. For a process to be environmentally efficient it should be 
using clean energy of the right quality effectively. 
There is no short-term solution, but by converting fossil fuel sources into 
hydrogen and electricity we can address the energy needs while reducing CO
2
 emissions. 
 
2.2. Hydrogen as a Primary Energy Carrier of the Future 
 
The concept of a future hydrogen economy will use hydrogen as the main energy 
carrier, thus possibly creating a reliable and sustainable energy supply system. Once the 
6 
hydrogen energy economy infrastructure is established, it will be easy to identify the 
benefits of using hydrogen as our main energy carrier. Current energy carriers are 
petroleum based fuels, and when they are burned with oxygen they produce carbon 
dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas, and carbon monoxide, which is poisonous. 
Some of today?s energy carriers are electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural 
gas. These carriers are made by the conversion of primary energy sources, such as coal, 
petroleum, and underground methane, into an energy form that is easily transported and 
delivered in a usable form to industrial, commercial, residential, and transportation end-
users. Electricity and hydrogen are proposed as the dominant energy carriers of the future 
sustainable energy supply system. The first step toward the path of a future hydrogen 
energy economy is using readily available energy sources for the production of hydrogen. 
Some readily available resources include: coal, oil, and natural gas.  
Since hydrogen is found in nature only as part of other compounds, it must first be 
converted to elemental hydrogen (H
2
) through the use of energy, before hydrogen itself 
becomes available as a fuel. This implies that hydrogen is an energy carrier, not an 
energy source. Hydrogen is able to store and deliver energy in a usable form, but first it 
must be produced from compounds that contain it. There are a variety of primary energy 
sources and feed stocks with related technologies for hydrogen production; where the 
feedstock primarily dictates the choice of production method. Primary energy production 
presently means hydrogen production from fossil fuels via natural gas reforming as well 
as the partial oxidation of heavy fuel oil (or diesel) and coal. Along with these further 
processes are in the research and development phases. 
 7
When consumers receive energy from fossil fuel energy sources, it is usually 
delivered in the form of different energy carriers. For example, oil is refined into energy 
products such as gasoline or diesel fuel.  
The production, transportation, and storage of hydrogen in a cost effective, 
environmentally friendly manner are one of the major challenges to the development of 
the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen has the highest energy content per unit weight of 
known elements (U.S Department of Energy, 2004), however hydrogen has a low 
volumetric energy density. Hydrogen?s low energy density presents challenges to 
transporting, delivering, and storing large quantities of hydrogen.  
There are two fundamental questions that first must be addressed before a 
hydrogen infrastructure can be put in place. First, how much energy is required to extract 
hydrogen from hydrogen-rich, naturally occurring compounds? Second, should hydrogen 
be produced at large scale centralized locations, and then stored and transported to the 
end users or small scale decentralized locations, produced on-site or closer to the point of 
use? Decentralized production of hydrogen allows for smaller capital investments and 
minimal transport and delivery infrastructures. However, centralized production of 
hydrogen enables production on a much larger scale.  More research and development 
will be needed to lower the cost of transporting and storing hydrogen. Developing the 
infrastructure necessary to produce, store, and deliver the large quantities of hydrogen 
necessary for the future of the hydrogen energy economy is one of the major challenges.  
 
8 
2.3. Reformation Strategies 
 
2.3.1. Introduction 
 
The amount of fossil fuel resources is limited; however, this is not the case with 
hydrogen as it can be produced from renewable resources. We currently consume fossil 
fuels 100,000 times faster than they are made, thus leading to questions about how long 
our worldwide supplies will last (U.S. Department of Energy, 2004). Hydrogen can be 
produced from hydrocarbon fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, through the process 
of reformation. During the combustion process, hydrogen binds itself to oxygen for the 
air and produces water; therefore hydrogen is completely renewable. Since hydrogen can 
be obtained from renewable resources unstable production will no longer be a concern.  
Reformation is the conversion of hydrocarbon based fuels to a gaseous mixture 
that contains hydrogen. Through various reformation strategies, sufficient hydrogen can 
be produced for various fuel cell applications and electrical power. Hydrogen can be 
derived from hydrocarbons through various process techniques. The U.S. currently 
produces over 9 million tons of hydrogen annually (Bellona, 1999). Steam reforming 
(SR), partial oxidation reforming (POX), auto thermal reforming (ATR), supercritical 
methanol reforming (SC), dry methane reforming (DR), and electrolysis are the most 
investigated reforming strategies, and are believed to be the key aspects of the potential 
development of the future hydrogen energy economy. 
 
2.3.2. Steam Reforming 
 
Steam reforming is the most common and technically well-proven industrial 
reformation strategy; in addition, it has the highest hydrogen yield of all reforming 
 9
strategies. Most of the industrial hydrogen in the United States is produced by steam 
reforming in the chemical manufacturing and petroleum industries. The industrial scale 
production of hydrogen is carried out in steam reforming plants with usual capacities in 
the order of 100,000 Nm
3
/hr. (Bellona, 2004)  
Steam reforming of natural gas is currently the least expensive method of 
hydrogen production, and accounts for 95% of the hydrogen that is produced worldwide 
today. Steam reforming of natural gas offers an efficient, economical, and widely used 
process for hydrogen production, and provides near and mid-term energy security and 
environmental benefits. Steam reforming exhibits the highest efficiencies of current 
economically available production methods; around 65% to 70%. Research has shown 
that with higher thermal integration the production efficiency could increase to over 85% 
(NYSERDA, 2003). To realize this integration potential, the remaining fuel in the waste 
gas is burned and the heat generated is then recycled back to the reactor. 
Steam reformers can use natural gas and light hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen. 
The reaction that occurs during this type of reformation is highly endothermic, and thus 
requires a significant source of heat. Industrial steam reforming processes are normally 
carried out at temperatures between 700 and 1100?C and pressures between 3 and 25 bar. 
The fuel is vaporized and fed with steam to the reactor, where the reaction generates 
carbon monoxide and hydrogen.  
 
()
22
    0.5
nm
C H nH O nCO n m H+?++  (1) 
 
10 
The second step in the reformation process is the exothermic water gas shift 
reaction (WGS), which reacts carbon monoxide with additional steam to produce more 
hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This reaction does not decrease the levels of carbon 
monoxide enough for some hydrogen fueled applications like Proton Exchange 
Membrane (PEM) fuel cells; requiring further post reformation clean up steps. 
 
222
    CO H O CO H+?+ (2) 
 
 Steam to carbon molar ratio, system pressure, and heating requirements are the 
primary factors that influence the reaction rate. Reaction kinetics usually determine the 
design of the reactor; however, since the combined process reactions are still endothermic 
the reactor design is more dependent on the heat transfer capabilities of the system. 
Traditionally, combustion of part of the fuel is used to preheat feeds and externally heat 
the reactor (Zale et al., 2002). 
 Steam reforming is a mature technology, which makes it particularly important 
for the transition to a hydrogen energy economy. Steam reforming is currently operating 
near its theoretical limit, but hydrogen production is still too expensive compared to the 
Department of Energy?s (DOE) target costs. Additional research and development is 
needed to move toward the future hydrogen energy economy. Improving reforming 
efficiencies, developing more durable reforming catalyst, and making advancements in 
the purification technologies are some of the most essential improvements that must be 
implemented. 
 
 11
2.3.3. Partial Oxidation 
 
Partial oxidation (POX) is another reforming strategy that is being researched as 
an option for hydrogen production. During partial oxidation, heavy hydrocarbons, such as 
diesel, coal, and heavy fuel oils, are reacted with oxygen exothermically at temperatures 
between 870 and 1400?C to produce a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen and 
significant amounts of carbon monoxide. These large amounts of carbon monoxide are 
due to the limited amounts of oxygen, typically from the air, available to react with the 
hydrocarbon fuel; which is not stoichiometrically enough to completely oxidize the 
hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. The partial oxidation reaction is primarily 
influenced by the oxygen to carbon ratio in the feed. The minimum value for the oxygen 
to carbon ratio is 1; values lower than 1 generate too much heat and decrease hydrogen 
concentration (Ahmed et al., 2001). 
 
22 2
0.5     
nn
C H nO nCO n H+?+ (3) 
 
 Since considerable amounts of carbon monoxide are produced from the first 
reformation step, it is necessary to introduce the exiting gaseous mixture to water in the 
form of steam and proceed to a water gas shift (WGS) reactor, the second step in the 
reformation process, to increase the hydrogen purity and yield in the final product stream. 
During the water gas shift (WGS) reaction, carbon monoxide is reacted with water to 
form carbon dioxide and more hydrogen at temperatures around 200?C. 
 
222
    CO H O CO H+?+ (2) 
12 
 Partial oxidation reforming is a much faster process and requires a smaller reactor 
vessel than steam reforming; however, partial oxidation initially produces less hydrogen 
per unit of fuel than steam reforming of the same fuel. 
 
2.3.4. Auto Thermal Reforming 
 
Among all the reforming strategies, auto thermal reforming is considered to be 
one of the most effective processes. Auto thermal reforming is a combination of the 
steam reforming and partial oxidation reforming strategies. During auto thermal 
reforming vaporized hydrocarbon fuels are reacted with a mixture of reduced amounts of 
oxygen, from the air, and water in the form of steam to produce a reformate stream 
containing hydrogen. The ratios of O
2
:C and H
2
:C are critical for optimal H
2
 output and 
for balancing the energy of the endothermic steam reforming and exothermic partial 
oxidation reactions, thus auto thermal reforming. This enables the total process to be 
more energy efficient, since the heat produced from the exothermic partial oxidation 
reaction can be directly transferred and used by the endothermic steam reforming 
reaction. This integration enables auto thermal reforming to have better dynamic 
responses than both steam reforming and partial oxidation. 
 
()
22
    0.5
nm
C H nH O nCO n m H+?++  (4) 
 
22 2
0.5     
nn
C H nO nCO nH+?+ (5) 
 
 13
 The reactions can take place either simultaneously in one vessel, or they can be 
separated by a wall in a single vessel with the partial oxidation reaction taking place first 
(Armor, 1999). The next reforming step requires a water gas shift (WGS) reaction, where 
the reformate stream is reacted with additional steam to convert the carbon monoxide 
produced during the first reaction step into carbon dioxide, thus producing more 
hydrogen. 
 
222
    CO H O CO H+?+ (2) 
 
 The water gas shift (WGS) reaction is essential if the hydrogen from the 
reformate stream, is to be used in fuel cell applications. The performance of the fuel cell 
is primarily dependent on the concentrations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the 
reformate stream, that is used to power the fuel cell, thus making the water gas shift 
reaction a critical process step. 
 Catalysts are critical factors that affect the efficiency of auto thermal reforming. 
The catalysts control the extents of the partial oxidation reactions to produce a slightly 
exothermic process and limit the reactor temperature to allow for smaller system 
construction (Ahmed et al., 2001).  
The advancements in auto thermal reforming technologies have significantly 
impacted conventional steam reforming plants by decreasing process size, cost, and start 
up time. Auto thermal reforming is also one of the more marketable reforming 
technologies, since this reforming strategy is capable of reforming heavy hydrocarbons, 
such as diesel and gasoline. However, auto thermal reforming is less developed than 
14 
some of the more conventional reforming technologies and needs much more research 
and development to become a competitive contender. 
 
2.3.5. Supercritical Methanol Reforming 
 
Supercritical methanol reforming is not a prominent reformation technology yet. 
However, research has shown various advantages for utilizing this reformation strategy 
for hydrogen production.  
Supercritical reformation utilizes supercritical water instead of steam during 
hydrocarbon reforming to produce hydrogen at a very high temperature and pressure. 
Employing supercritical water instead of steam as a reaction medium allows more 
efficient heat and mass transfer. The advantages of carrying out the reforming reactions 
in supercritical water over conventional technologies are as follows: the density of 
supercritical water is much higher than that of steam, which results in a high space-time 
and the higher values of thermal conductivity and specific heat of supercritical water are 
beneficial to carry out the endothermic reforming reactions. Furthermore, hydrogen is 
produced at high pressure, which can be stored directly, thus avoiding the problems 
associated with its compression. Hydrocarbons are completely soluble in supercritical 
water, which minimizes the formation of char or slag, which may otherwise lead to 
catalyst deactivation. (Gadhe et al., 2005).   
The major reaction steps involved in the supercritical methanol reforming are as 
follows: methanol decomposition (6), methanation of carbon monoxide (7), methanation 
of carbon dioxide (8), and the water gas shift (WGS) reaction (2). 
 
 15
32
    2CH OH CO H?+ (6) 
 
242
3    CO H CH H O+?+ (7) 
 
22 42
4    CO H CH H O+?+ (8) 
 
222
    CO H O CO H+?+ (2) 
 
 In addition, the following side reactions, that are responsible for coke formation, 
can occur during reformation; they are as follows: methane decomposition (9), 
Boudouard coking (10), and coke gasification (11). 
 
42
    2CH C H?+  (9) 
 
2
2    CO C CO?+  (10) 
 
22
    CO H C H O+?+ (11) 
 
Supercritical methanol reforming has many advantages over the more 
conventional reformation strategies; nevertheless, more research and development is 
needed for this reforming strategy to be competitive in future hydrogen production. 
 
16 
2.3.6. Dry Methane Reforming 
 
The dry reforming of methane is not a mature reformation technology either. Dry 
methane reforming has only been used in combination with steam reforming for 
commercial applications.  The dry methane reforming strategy can be represented by the 
reaction scheme displayed below. The reforming reaction is shown in reaction (12), 
followed by the water gas shift (WGS) reaction illustrated by reaction (2). The methane 
decomposition and Boudouard reactions, expressed by reactions (9) and (13), are both 
side reactions that can occur during this reforming technology. 
 
42 2
    2CH CO CO H+?+ (12) 
 
222
    CO H O CO H+?+ (2) 
 
42
    2CH C H?+  (9) 
 
2
    CO CO C CO+?+ (13) 
 
 During dry methane reforming, methane is mixed with carbon dioxide, instead of 
air and superheated steam in the three primary reformation technologies, and fed to the 
DMR reactor. Additional steam is fed to the WGS reactor to allow the water gas shift 
(WGS) reaction to proceed to completion.  
 Dry methane reforming has the potential to produce synthesis gas at a reduced 
H
2
/CO ratio of (1:1). This type of reformation strategy may also be more beneficial to the  
 17
environment than other reforming technologies, since both carbon dioxide and methane 
are greenhouse gases. However, due to the lower H/C ratio, dry methane reforming has a 
higher potential for carbon formation. Other obstacles are the less favorable 
thermodynamics that make it more difficult to achieve a sufficiently high conversion of 
the reactants (Bellona, 2002). Today, extensive research is being conducted to evaluate 
the kinetics and parameter effects of this reforming technology, primarily to determine if 
this reforming strategy would be a viable choice for large scale hydrogen production. 
 
2.3.7. Electrolysis 
Electrolysis of water has been one of the most investigated hydrogen production 
processes in the world, thus making it one of the most well-known. However, this process 
is one of the most energy intensive processing methods. During electrolysis hydrogen is 
produced by sending an electric current through the water contained in an ionic transfer 
device to separate water into two components; hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen, due 
to its positive charge, is attracted and collects at the negative anode and the oxygen, due 
to its negative charge, is attracted and collects at the positive cathode. 
 Currently the hydrogen that is produced from electrolysis, even though it has a 
higher purity, is too expensive to produce the quantities needed to serve the energy 
sector. The high cost associated with this method of hydrogen production is primarily due 
to the significant amounts of electricity required for this process. Alkaline electrolysis is 
the most common form and has been used industrially for over 80 years, but is used on a 
large scale only where cheap electricity is available. (Bellona, 2002). Challenges in 
18 
performance and cost must be overcome, before these production technologies can be 
used for large scale hydrogen production. 
 
2.4. Challenges of the Future Hydrogen Economy 
 
2.4.1. Introduction 
 
Along with transportation and storage concerns, the greatest challenge for the 
future hydrogen energy economy is the cost reduction of hydrogen production. When 
looking at the production of hydrogen for transportation fuels, the cost must be 
competitive with conventional fuels and technologies. The cost of hydrogen, regardless 
of the production technology, must be competitive with gasoline prices. Today?s research 
is directed toward significantly reducing capital equipment, operational, and maintenance 
costs; in addition, to improving the efficiency of hydrogen production technologies and 
addressing the environmental emission issues. 
 
2.4.2. Hydrogen Storage 
The development of economic and dependable hydrogen storage technologies that 
meet the cost and performance requirements is vital to achieving a future hydrogen 
energy economy. Even though hydrogen contains more energy than any other substance 
on a weight basis, it is the lightest chemical and therefore has an extremely low 
volumetric energy density. For example, one liter of natural gas contains 5 times more 
energy than a liter of gaseous hydrogen. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2004) There are 
three key factors to consider when determining which method of storing hydrogen is 
most suitable to meet the requirements of the end users, they are: the volume that must be 
 19
stored, the length of time it must be stored, and the space that is available for storage. The 
conventional methods of storage are compressed gas cylinders and liquid gas tanks. 
Storing hydrogen in high pressure compressed gas cylinders or tanks is currently 
the cheapest storage method; however, one is faced with the problem of low storage 
density. Storing hydrogen as a liquid at -253?C will significantly increase the storage 
density; however, high pressure liquid hydrogen storage vessels are costly and have 
stricter safety regulations. Also the high pressure liquid storage vessels must be well 
insulated to minimize evaporation. Today research is being conducted on developing new 
storage methods and improving the capabilities of the old methods.  
Future methods of storage already under development are looking toward storing 
hydrogen as a solid by absorbing or reacting with metals or chemical compounds. Some 
of the new developing technologies include: hydrogen absorption using metal hydrides, 
chemical hydrides, and carbon systems. Advancement in technology is meeting the 
challenges, with research identifying and addressing today?s performance and system 
issues with hydrogen storage.  
 
2.4.3. Hydrogen Infrastructure 
 Another major challenge that a future hydrogen energy economy must 
overcome is the development of an infrastructure to deliver the hydrogen from the 
production site to the end users. This infrastructure will include all aspects involved in 
the delivery process, such as: trucks, barges, pipelines, compressors, railway cars, storage 
facilities, and dispensers. Hydrogen is currently transported by pipeline or by road via 
cylinders, tube trailers, and cryogenic tankers, with a small amount shipped by rail or 
20 
barge. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2004). Advancements in hydrogen storage and 
delivery technology will be needed to meet the requirements for future automotive 
applications and off board uses. 
 On board hydrogen storage and dispensing technologies are two of the main 
branches of research being done today. Breakthroughs in these areas of research are 
essential for the growth and development of the hydrogen infrastructure. 
As of today there is no material available that meets the broad requirements for on 
board storage of hydrogen. The future of on board storage of gaseous and liquid 
hydrogen looks grim; however, the storing of hydrogen in chemical compounds offers a 
much wider range of possibilities for on board hydrogen storage, especially for 
transportation fuel restrictions. Basic research shows promise of meeting the storage 
capacity requirements, which is one of the main challenges of on board hydrogen storage, 
with new innovations of chemical compounds that are capable of storing hydrogen and 
the enhancement of material performance. Today there are three methods of on board 
hydrogen storage that are close to commercialization, they are: high pressure gas storage 
cylinders, cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage tanks, and chemical storage as hydrides. 
 
2.5. Fuel Cell Technology 
2.5.1. Introduction 
Fuel cell technology has made huge strides in the past couple of years. A fuel cell 
is conceptually a refuelable battery; however, unlike a normal battery fuel cells are 
supplied with fuel from an external source. Fuel cells, combine hydrogen and oxygen 
from the air, to produce electricity; with water being the only byproduct. Also hydrogen 
 21
fuel cells are silent, have no moving parts, and they do not produce air pollutants. Fuel 
cells can be used to provide homes and businesses with electricity and heat as well as 
power vehicles. Using hydrogen in fuel cells is more efficient than combustion, with 
efficiencies of up to 45%, compared with up to 25% for a dual fuel Internal Combustion 
Engine (ICE) (U.S. Department of Energy, 2004)  
Fuels cells are typically classified either by their main electrolyte, usually alkaline 
or acidic, or by their feed specifications. Figure 1 illustrates a generic fuel cell diagram 
(California Energy Commission, 2006). The following basic reactions take place at the 
electrodes and are represented by reactions (14-16): 
 
 
Figure 1. Generic fuel cell schematic 
 
Anode: 
2
2    4 4HHe
+ ?
?+ (14) 
 
Cathode: 
22
44    2OH e HO
+?
++?  (15) 
22 
Net: 
22 2
2    2HO HOenergy+? +  (16) 
 
There are three major fuel cell applications, i.e. stationary power, mobile, and 
portable. 
Stationary fuel cell applications include: producing electricity and heat for homes, 
businesses, and industry. Stationary fuel cell applications will require the development of 
low cost and reliable grid power and control technology. This new technology will ensure 
effective operations and high-quality power.  
Secondly, mobile applications are where the most extensive research is primarily 
focused. This application would allow the possible replacement of internal combustion 
engines with hydrogen fuel cells for transportation applications. As oil prices continue to 
steadily increase, the driving force for producing hydrogen for transportation fuels and 
fuel cell powered cars is rapidly increasing. As fuel cell technology develops further this 
idea comes closer to becoming a reality. 
Poor fuel efficiency, depleting oil reservoirs, and irreversible environmental 
damage are just a few reasons for replacing the century old oil based combustion engine  
with more advanced and cost efficient hydrogen powered systems. Today, all the major 
automobile manufactures are developing prototype fuel cell vehicles; some of these 
prototypes are: Toyota FCHV, GM Hy Wire, and Daimler Chrysler F-Cell.  
However, there are many obstacles to overcome to make hydrogen powered 
vehicles a reality.  For mobile applications the fuel processing system must be compact 
and lightweight to be able to achieve the desirable performance requirements. Another 
challenge is the removal of contaminates, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. 
 23
These contaminates are generated during the reformation of hydrocarbon fuels and can 
significantly degrade the performance of the fuel cell. Further development in fuel 
reforming and handling is needed for fuels to eliminate compounds that could poison the 
fuel cells, and make the application more cost effective. 
Finally, portable applications have been divided into to main categories; fuel cell 
power packs and small portable power generators. Fuel cell power packs will be the 
future replacement for battery powered applications. Some examples of fuel cells 
packaged into portable devices are laptop computers, cellular phones, digital cameras, 
camcorders, and power tools. Portable devices using the power pack technology can store 
up to 100 watt hours of useable energy. When the device has exhausted the entire amount 
of stored energy, supplemental energy is available through refueling cartridges. 
 Small portable power generators usually weigh approximately twenty pounds and 
can produce somewhere between three and five kilowatts of power for up to two hours. 
This type of portable fuel cell technology would generally be used for applications, such 
as: power for campsites, recreational activities, and emergency power systems. 
 
2.5.2. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), also referred to as polymer 
electrolyte fuel cells, have been primarily developed as smaller power generators. The 
fuel cell utilizes the polymer electrolyte to promote the reaction between hydrogen and 
oxygen. The PEMFC is the fuel cell technology of choice for most mobile applications, 
due to its short start up time and low operating temperature of approximately 80?C.  
24 
Due to the extreme sensitivity of this type of fuel cell to carbon oxides, platinum 
based catalysts are required for the PEMFC to achieve the hydrogen purity that is 
necessary for operating conditions. This is one of the major challenges that must be 
overcome to make this technology cost effective and economically feasible.  
PEMFC are also currently being investigated by the automotive industry, because 
they are commercially available and the smallest in size (Bernay et al., 2002). Companies 
which are leading in research and development in these areas are Toshiba, Manhattan 
Scientifics, Smart Fuel Cells, and Ballard Power Systems. 
 
2.5.3. Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells 
Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) initialize the reaction between hydrogen and 
oxygen to generate electricity and water as a reaction byproduct. The fuel cell has an 
operating temperature above 500?C, to ensure the electrolyte remains a liquid, thus the 
system must have an efficient energy source to supply the necessary heat. This high 
operating temperature can cause corrosion and shorten the lifespan of the fuel cell. Unlike 
the other types of fuel cell technologies, the MCFC requires a feed of carbon monoxide to 
its cathode; this allows the fuel cell to be fueled with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, 
thus eliminating the need for post reformation purification steps. Its current applications 
are restricted to stationary units for medium-scale power and heat generation due to the 
size and temperature requirements of the unit (Tomczyk, 2006). 
 
 
 
 25
2.5.4. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) utilize ceramic electrolytes and oxidation of carbon 
monoxide within the cell to generate electricity SOFCs, like MOFCs, have the ability to 
use carbon monoxide along with hydrogen as fuel to power the cell. SOFCs operate at 
temperatures above 700?C which will reduce the catalyst cost; however, it can cause 
corrosion and shorten the lifespan of the fuel cell. These high temperatures increase start 
up time, but are similar to those used by internal combustion engines (Bernay et al., 
2001). This fuel cell technology is best suited for stationary applications mainly due to 
high temperature operating conditions.  
 
2.6. Test Bed Summary 
The Center for Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing (CM
3
) at Auburn 
University has developed a bench scale test bed for investigating running a portable radar 
system of a Ballard Nexa
TM  
PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell stack by 
producing high purity hydrogen from reforming jet fuel (JP-8). The PEM fuel cell system 
consists of both the fuel processing reformer and post reformation clean-up steps and the 
fuel cell itself. A schematic of the fuel processing test bed is presented in figure 2 and a 
photo of the actual test bed developed by CM
3
 is shown in figure 3. 
 
 
Figure 2. Fuel processing test bed schematic 
26 
 
Figure 3. Photograph of fuels processing test bed 
 
 
The microfibrous catalysts and sorbents inside the test bed enable enhanced heat 
and mass transfer capabilities by providing high contact efficiency through high surface 
area to volume ratio. These advanced heat and mass transfer potentials present an 
opportunity for miniaturization of the processing units compared to conventional catalyst 
supports, such as packed beds. In figure 4, 500 ?m proprietary water gas shift catalysts 
particles are entrapped in 10-50 ?m nickel fibers. Similarly, 150 ?m particles of a 
proprietary precious metal catalyst on alumina support are depicted in figure 5 
(Karanjikar et al., 2004; Tatarchuk, 2004.) 
 
 27
400 ?m
 
Figure 4. WGS catalyst in Nickel fibers 
100 ?m
 
Figure 5. PROX catalyst on Al
2
O
3
 support 
 
 The test bed utilizes steam reformation to produce hydrogen followed by a water 
gas shift reaction to reduce the CO content from approximately 15% to 1%. The gas 
chromatograph analysis for the performer and post former effluents are presented in 
figures 6 and 7. 
 
Figure 6. Analysis of preformer effluent by gas 
chromatography 
 
Figure 7. Analysis of postformer effluent by gas 
chromatography 
 
 All processing units after the reformation segment are for hydrogen purification 
only; by either removing or converting the refomate byproducts. Hydrogen sulfide, which 
28 
is a catalyst poison, is removed first by a microfibrous entrapped ZnO/SiO
2
 catalyst. The 
hydrogen sulfide content is reduced more than 99% to less than 1 ppm. 
 The hydrogen sulfide removal is followed by two water gas shift reactors which 
convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide by the addition of additional steam, this 
reaction is shown below. 
  
222
    CO H O CO H+?+ (2) 
 
 The water gas shift reactors reduce the carbon monoxide content from 15% to less 
than 0.75%. The remaining carbon monoxide is then converted through preferential 
oxidation (PROX), which decreases the carbon monoxide content to less than 10 ppm. 
The selectivity of the PROX catalyst (Pt-M/AL
2
O
3
) towards the oxidation of carbon 
dioxide is 60%, while the remaining 40% reacts with hydrogen to produce water. The 
remaining carbon dioxide is then removed by adsorption on a microfibrous entrapped 
alkaline sorbent. The last unit before the hydrogen rich gas enters the fuel cell is an inline 
fuel filter, which is a series of microfibrous entrapped sorbents that can remove traces of 
H
2
S, NH
3
, CO, and CO
2
 (Karanjikar et al., 2004). The hydrogen, once purified, is then 
fed along with air at atmospheric conditions to the PEM fuel cell. The PEM fuel cell 
produces electrical power and heat along with pure water as a byproduct.
 
 
 29
3. SYSTEM MODELING AND INTEGRATION 
 
3.1. Process Modeling 
 
Simulation models are tools that predict the performance and identify the 
limitations of processes by evaluating a proposed process flow sheet. Mathematical 
modeling is the primary basis for all simulation models. Mathematical models are 
composed of material and energy balances, and are characterized by equations that relate 
process variables; such as: temperature, composition, pressure, and thermodynamic 
limitations of the system. These models solve for the unknown process variables at steady 
state or dynamic conditions. A simulation model is represented by a process flow sheet 
with multiple units; where each unit signifies a certain process step. Each unit applies 
computer subroutines, which vary significantly in their degree of complexity due to their 
particular design specifications, to simulate the various process units. All raw material 
input streams are depicted by the arrow head pointing toward a process unit and the tail 
of the arrow is free. The temperature, pressure, component fraction of the flow rate, and 
the total flow rate must be defined for these input streams. The arrows between the units, 
where the arrow head and tail are connected to a unit, represent the flow of information 
between the two individual units. This information is largely dependent upon the specific 
design constraints. Simulators include the most basic process equipment: heat 
exchangers, reactors, distillation columns, mixers, splitters, etc (Seider et al., 2004). 
 
30 
A significant benefit of process modeling is the ability to test the sensitivity of the 
process variables without having to perform numerous, time extensive experiments to 
generate the same results and conclusions. Optimization of the individual units or the 
overall process can be evaluated prior to a physical attempt, thus avoiding bottlenecks. 
Process modeling is also an excellent tool for reviewing design calculations and testing 
unique equipment features before constructing pilot plant facilities (Cummings, 2005). 
 
3.2. Process Integration 
 
Optimization of all process aspects is a key factor in making the process efficient, 
environmentally friendly, and economically feasible. Process integration is one of the 
areas where improvements can be achieved. Integrating heat exchangers and reactors, 
that is, using streams that need to be cooled to heat other streams may reduce the overall 
energy consumption. Identifying the process integration potentials and employing them 
when needed is a proven way to optimize the process.  
The tasks of managing the integration of heat exchangers and identifying the 
optimal allocation of energy are approached through the systematic synthesis of heat 
exchanger networks (HENs).  
The first step in understanding heat integration is to classify the process streams 
in a systematic way; in heat integration studies, a ?cold? stream is a stream that requires 
heating, while a ?hot? stream needs to be cooled (Eden, 2003). Then the minimum 
external utility load must be identified for the set of process streams. The first method for 
calculating the minimum values was presented by Hohmann (1971) and further 
developed by Linnhoff and coworkers (Linnhoff et al., 1982; Linnhoff and Hindmarsh, 
 31
1983). El-Halwagi (1997) observes that the streams positioned in an optimal HEN must 
answer the following questions: 
 
? What is the optimal energy load to be removed or added by each utility? 
 
? How should the process hot and cold streams be matched, i.e. stream pairings? 
 
? What is the optimal system configuration, i.e. how should the heat exchangers be 
arranged? Do any streams require mixing or splitting? 
 
The thermal pinch analysis is used to depict the areas of opportunity for internal 
heat exchange between the process streams. Implementing internal heat exchange within 
the process will significantly reduce the external utility requirements. The individual hot 
and cold process streams are defined by three steady state parameters; they are the target 
temperature (T
t
), the supply temperature of the stream (T
s
), and the heat capacity flow 
rate (HC). Equation (17) is used to calculate the heat capacity flow rate for streams with 
no phase change. Equation (18) is formulated to account for the effects on the heat 
capacity flow rate calculation due to the phase change.  
 
P
HCmC=?  (17) 
 
1
mH
HC
K
??
=  (18) 
 
32 
 The pinch point and minimum energy requirements can be determined by either a 
graphical or algebraic methodology. Aspentech HX-Net
TM
 , the heat integration software 
used in these research studies, actually utilizes both methods. The graphical methodology 
is shown in figure 8 (Eden, 2003). Figure 8 depicts the composite curve of the three hot 
streams with no phase change taking place in the system. The system?s cold stream 
composite curve is constructed through the same methodology. The thermal pinch 
diagram is achieved when the hot and cold composite curves are graphed together on the 
same x and y axis. A thermal pinch diagram is shown in figure 9 (Eden, 2003). 
 
Temperature
Enthalpy
T
1
T
2
T
3
T
4
T
5
?H Interval
?H
1
?H
2
?H
3
?H
4
Temperature
Enthalpy
T
1
T
2
T
3
T
4
T
5
C
P
 
=
 
A
C P
 
=
 
B
C
P
 
=
 
C
?H Interval
(T
1
 - T
2
)*B
(T
2
 - T
3
)*(A+B+C)
(T
3
 - T
4
)*(A+C)
(T
4
 - T
5
)*A
 
Figure 8. Construction of hot composite curve from three streams. 
 
 33
Composite Hot and Cold
Temperature
Enthalpy
Q
C,min
Q
H,min
?T
min
 
Figure 9. Thermal pinch diagram 
 
 The thermal pinch diagram identifies various quantities that represent significant 
characteristics of the system. The potential for internal heat exchange is represented by 
the region where the hot and cold composite curves exist over the same enthalpy range. 
The minimum external heating and cooling utility requirements are illustrated in the 
regions at the ends of the diagram. The hot and cold composite curves are positioned 
relative to the minimum allowable temperature driving force ?T
min
. Decreasing the 
minimum allowable temperature driving force (?T
min
) shifts the hot and cold composite 
curves closer together, thus reducing the external energy that is necessary for the 
system?s requirements and increasing the heat transfer area of the process heat 
exchangers. When choosing an optimal value for ?T
min
, the trade-off between external 
utility cost and heat exchanger cost must be evaluated.  
 There are two different graphical techniques which can be used to plot the 
composite curves when attempting to identify the thermal pinch point. The first step in 
34 
either technique is to determine the value of ?T
min
. One methodology utilizes a shift in 
the cold composite curve by a distance of ?T
min
. Equation (19) represents this shift: 
 
MinColdScaleHotScale
TTT ?+=  (19) 
 
 The hot composite curve will always be a distance of ?T
min
 from the cold 
composite curve, when this method is employed. To determine the thermal pinch point, 
the cold composite curve must be shifted until it touches the hot composite curve; the 
point at where the curves touch is the thermal pinch point. 
 The second methodology fixes the location of the hot composite curve and then 
horizontally shifts the cold composite curve until the shortest distance between the two 
composite curves is exactly ?T
min
. This small region between the two composite curves is 
referred to as the thermal pinch point. The thermal pinch point signifies a thermodynamic 
bottleneck of the process. The thermal pinch also divides the energy allocation problem; 
placing one part of the problem above the pinch and the other part below. The thermal 
pinch analysis can aid to identify the minimum utility requirements and optimize the 
energy allocation in the system. Any HEN design may be compared to the energy targets 
(Eden, 2003). After the pinch point is identified, a HEN may be designed which matches 
the energy targets, according to three rules stated by Linnhoff et al. (1982):  
 
  1. Do not transfer heat across the pinch. 
 
  2. Do not use external cooling utilities above the pinch. 
 35
  3. Do not use external heating utilities below the pinch. 
 
The thermal pinch analysis results in HENs that require the minimum amount of 
external utilities; however, the proposed designs may not produce the optimal solution in 
terms of equipment cost. The equipment cost and utility cost must be compared and 
evaluated to achieve the optimal combination for the system.  
 
36 
4. MODELING PROCEDURE 
 
The process models were developed with Aspen Plus Engineering Suite
TM
, a 
commercial process simulation software by Aspen Tech (2004). Large scale and small 
scale production schemes were simulated for all reformation strategies, to investigate the 
large and small scale process advantages and disadvantages. The large scale production 
schemes produce 100,000 Nm
3
/hr of hydrogen, while the small scale produces only 1,000 
Nm
3
/hr. Simulation models were developed for the three primary reformation strategies: 
steam reforming (SR), partial oxidation (POX), and auto thermal reforming (ATR). To 
thoroughly investigate the simulation models, two different fuel feeds were utilized to the 
compare downstream process effects for the large and small scale reformation studies for 
all three primary reforming strategies. Methane, which was used to represent natural gas, 
and dodecane, which was employed for the approximation of diesel fuel, were both 
evaluated as fuel feeds for all three primary reformation strategies. These fuels were also 
evaluated to supply sufficient heat to the reformers. The compositions of each of these 
fuels vary according to the source and refinery, so approximations were made. These 
models were based on simulations done by Seo et al. in 2002, which included the 
reformer and the WGS reactor. Detailed kinetic data of fuels reformation is rare and 
difficult to find; because of this, stoichiometric relationships were developed from data 
produced by Seo et al. (2002). 
 37
In addition, simulation models were also developed for two less mature reforming 
strategies; dry reforming (DR) and supercritical reforming (SC). The supercritical 
reforming model utilized methanol as the feed fuel; conversely, the dry reforming model 
employed methane as the feed fuel, which again was used for the approximation of 
natural gas. These fuels were also evaluated to supply sufficient heat to the reformers 
through means of combustion. Again, detailed kinetic data of fuels reformation is 
difficult to locate; given that, stoichiometric relationships were developed for the 
supercritical reformation models from data generated by Gadhe et al., (2005).   The dry 
reforming models were developed with stoichometric relationships, which were 
supported by data published by Shao et al., (2005). Each reformation strategy is 
explained in considerable detail in the following sections.  
 
38 
5. MODEL SPECIFICATION 
 
5.1. Introduction 
 
 A total of sixteen rigorous simulation models have been developed. The first 
twelve simulation models were developed for steam reforming (SR), partial oxidation 
(POX), and auto thermal reforming (ATR). Two models were generated for each of the 
reforming strategies; one on the basis of large scale production and the other on a small 
scale basis. Methane and dodecane have been reformed by each of the three primary 
reformation strategies. The following block diagram is the general format of the entire 
hydrogen production process, including the CO
2
 clean-up and the fuel cell 
implementation for the three primary reformation models. In this work simulation models 
include the reformation and water gas shift steps only 
.
Figure 10. Hydrogen production schematic for the primary reformation strategies 
 
 39
Two of the total sixteen models were developed for supercritical reforming (SC); 
again, one simulation model on the basis of large scale production and the other on a 
small scale basis. Methanol was utilized as the reforming fuel for these simulation 
models. The block diagram below represents the general design of the supercritical 
reforming models, including the CO
2
 removal and the implementation of the fuel cell.  
 Figure 11. Hydrogen production schematic for Supercritical Methanol Reforming 
 
The final two simulation models were developed for dry reforming (DR). Once 
more, large and small production basis models were developed. Methane was employed 
as the reformation fuel for these two models. The following block diagram shows the 
general format of the dry methane reforming models, including the CO
2
 clean up and 
implementation of the fuel cell. 
 Figure 12. Hydrogen production schematic for Dry Methane Reforming 
 
40 
5.2. Steam Reformation (SR) Models 
 
Steam reforming models were developed for both methane, which was employed 
to represent natural gas, and dodecane, which was utilized for the approximation for 
diesel fuel. The steam reforming process (SR) consists of two consecutive steps. First, 
methane/dodecane is preheated to 400?C then mixed with superheated steam and fed at a 
C:H
2
O ratio of 1:2 to an isothermal SR reactor at 1 atm. The SR reactor is modeled as a 
conversion reactor and ran at 800?C and 1 atm. The reactions proceed as follows, 
depending on the fuel feed: Methane as the primary fuel is represent by reaction (20), 
while reaction (21) and (22) represents dodecane as the fuel feed. Reduced JP-8, which is 
discussed in substantial detail in the size constraint analysis section of the thesis, is 
represented by reactions (23) and (24). Reaction (2) illustrates the WGS clean up for each 
of the fuels. 
 
42 2
    3CH H O H CO+?+ (20) 
 
10 22 2 2
10     21 10CH HO H CO+?+ (21) 
 
12 26 2 2
12     25 12CH HO H CO+?+ (22) 
 
14 30 2 2
14     29 14CH HO H CO+?+ (23) 
 
16 34 2 2
16     33 16CH HO H CO+?+ (24) 
 
 41
222
    CO H O H CO+?+ (2) 
 
 The SR reactor produces synthesis gas, also called syngas, a mixture of primarily 
hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas is feed to a WGS reactor where the water 
gas shift (WGS) reaction occurs; reaction (2). The WGS reactor is run isothermally with 
a feed of steam to carbon monoxide of 2.2:1 (Seo et al., 2002). The WGS reaction takes 
the carbon monoxide, which is a product from the reforming reaction, and is reacted with 
additional steam at 200?C and 1 atm to form hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The water gas 
shift (WGS) reactor converts 99.1% of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The SR 
reactions for dodecane have been interpolated from the reactions developed from the 
reformation of methane in Seo et al. (2002). The extents of the fuel reformation are taken 
to be 0.991 while the water gas shift (WGS) reaction is 0.214. The hydrogen produced by 
steam methane reforming still contains impurities; such as, carbon monoxide, carbon 
dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Further purification may be required to remove impurities 
that can cause complications in some hydrogen applications. 
 
42 
 
5.3. Partial Oxidation (POX) Models 
 
 The partial oxidation models were developed for both methane and dodecane fuel 
feeds. Partial oxidation reforming consists of a reformation step followed purification 
step. First, methane/dodecane is mixed with air, which is fed at a C:O
2
 ratio of 1.67, and 
fed to a heater where the feed mixture is preheated to 312?C and 1 atm. The mixture is 
then fed to the POX reactor, which is modeled as a conversion reactor operating at 802?C 
and 1 atm. The incomplete combustion of the fuel feed produces hydrogen and carbon 
monoxide. The POX reactor effluent is fed with additional steam to the WGS shift 
reactor where the water gas shift (WGS) reaction proceeds at 200?C and 1 atm to produce 
carbon dioxide and more hydrogen, reaction (2). The WGS reactor is run isothermally 
with a feed of steam to carbon monoxide of 2.2:1 (Seo et al., 2002). The partial oxidation 
reforming reaction proceeds as follows, depending on the fuel feed: Reaction (25) 
represents methane as the fuel feed for the reformation process, while reactions (26) and 
(27) represent dodecane as the fuel feed. Reactions (28) and (29) represent the reduced 
JP-8 as the fuel feed. Reaction (2) illustrates the WGS clean up for all the fuels. 
Fuel 
 
20 ?C 
1 bar 
400?C 
Steam 
400 ?C 
SR
802?C
200?C
169?C 
WGS 
200 ?C 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
H O
20 ?C
Steam
103?C
  
 
2
20?C 
Water 
1 bar
  WGS 
 Effluent
  200?C
Figure 13. Steam reforming (SR) block diagram 
 43
42 2 2 2
0.6     1.87 0.93 0.07 0.13CH O H CO CO H O+? ++ +  (25) 
 
10 22 2 2 2 2
6     10.25 8.75 1.25 0.75CH O H CO CO HO+? + + +  (26) 
 
12 26 2 2 2 2
7.2     12 10.36 1.6 0.89C H O H CO CO H O+?+ ++  (27) 
 
14 30 2 2 2 2
8.4     13.97 12.23 1.77 1.03CH O H CO CO HO+? + + +  (28) 
 
16 34 2 2 2 2
9.6     15.84 13.96 2.04 1.16CH O H CO CO HO+? + + +  (29) 
 
222
    CO H O H CO+?+ (2) 
 
Since detailed kinetic data of these competing reactions is difficult to acquire, a 
net reaction was developed based on the experimental data from Seo et al. (2002) and 
was interpolated for the dodecane simulation reactions. The extent of the reactions is 
assumed to be 0.9912, calculated from the reactor effluents in Seo?s data. 
 
44 
5.4. Auto Thermal Reformation (ATR) Models  
 The auto thermal reformation of hydrocarbon fuels is a combination of the steam 
reforming and partial oxidation reforming methodologies. The incomplete combustion of 
some of the feed fuel provides thermal energy for the steam reforming of the remaining 
fuel. The auto thermal reforming models were simulated for methane and dodecane. 
Again, natural gas was represented by methane and dodecane was utilized for the 
approximation of diesel fuel. Methane/dodecane is mixed with air, which is fed at a C:O
2
 
ratio of 1.75, and superheated steam, which is fed at a C:H
2
O ratio of 5, then sent to a 
heater where the mixture is preheated at 400?C and 1 atm. The ATR reactor is modeled as 
a conversion reactor and operates at 788?C and 1 atm. The reactions proceed as follows, 
depending on the fuel feed: Methane is represented in reaction (30) as the fuel feed, while 
reactions (31) and (32) represent dodecane as the feed fuel. Reactions (33) and (34) 
represent reduced JP-8 as the feed fuel. Reaction (2) illustrates the WGS clean up for 
each of the feed fuels. 
 
 
 
Fuel 
20?C 
1 bar 
312?C
POX
802?C
200?C
169?C 
WGS 
200 ?C 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
H 2O
 
 
   
20 ?C
 
 
  
Steam
103?C
 
Air 
20 ?C 
  WGS 
 Effluent
  200?C
1 bar
Figure 14. Partial Oxidation (POX) block diagram 
 45
42 2 2
0.35 0.20     0.70 0.31 0.04CH O H CO CO+?++ (30) 
 
10 22 2 2 2
5.45     11 9.10 0.90CH O H CO CO+?++ (31) 
 
12 26 2 2 2
6.54     13 10.92 1.08CH O H CO CO+?++ (32) 
 
14 30 2 2 2
7.63     15 12.74 1.26CH O H CO CO+?++ (33) 
 
16 34 2 2 2
8.72     17 14.56 1.44C H O H CO CO+?++ (34) 
 
22 2
0.5     HO HO+? (35) 
 
222
    HO CO H CO+?+ (36) 
 
222
    CO H O H CO+?+ (2) 
 
While steam is fed to the reformer, there is a net generation of steam in the 
reformer from the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen; this generation corresponds to 
equation (35). The ATR reactor effluent is then fed with additional steam to the WGS 
reactor. The WGS reactor is run isothermally with a feed of steam to carbon monoxide of 
2.2:1 (Seo et al., 2002). The water gas shift (WGS) reaction proceeds at 200?C and 1 atm, 
where more hydrogen is produced with carbon dioxide, reaction (2). Once again, detailed 
46 
kinetics are not available for this reformation strategy, net reactions were developed for 
the fuel components to represent the reformation combinations from experimental data in 
Seo et al. (2002). The extent of the net fuel reformation reactions is 0.9912, while the 
extent of the water production is 1.0 because all the oxygen is consumed in the reformer. 
A schematic for the ATR models is shown below in figure 15. 
 
5.5. Supercritical (SC) Methanol Reformation Models 
 The supercritical methanol reforming simulation models were developed for both 
large and small scale hydrogen production. First, the methanol and water are heated to 
600?C and compressed to 276 bar. Then the feed mixture is sent to the SC reactor, which 
operates under these same conditions. The SC reactor is modeled after a yield reactor. 
The molar yields for methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and water are 
as follows: 9.65?10
-5
, 2.83?10
-3
, 2.89?10
-4
, 8.97?10
-3
, and 4.73?10
-2
, respectively. Detailed 
kinetic data for fuel reformation is difficult to find; therefore, the simulation models were 
developed based on yield data published by Gupta et al., (2005). The reactor effluent is 
 
 
Fuel 
20 ?C 
1 bar 
400?C
ATR
788?C
200?C
169 ?C 
WGS 
200?C 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
H 2 O 
  
80?C 
 
  
H 2 O
20?C
Steam
103?C
    1 bar
 
 
Air 
20 ?C 
Steam 
103?C 
1 bar 
 WGS 
Effluent
?C 200
Figure 15. Auto Thermal reformation (ATR) block diagram 
 47
first cooled and then feed to the WGS reactor at isothermal operating conditions of 200?C 
and 1 atm, where the water gas shift (WGS) reaction proceeds. The water gas shift 
(WGS) reaction converts 99.1% of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The water gas 
shift (WGS) reaction is illustrated by reaction (2). 
 
222
    CO H O H CO+?+ (2) 
 
 Supercritical methanol reforming demonstrates some advantages such as 
enhanced heat and mass transfer, higher operating pressure, and hydrocarbon solubility in 
supercritical water. However, more research and development must be conducted to 
evaluate this reformation technology as another choice for long term hydrogen 
production. 
 
5.6. Dry (DR) Methane Reformation Models 
 
A large and small scale simulation model was developed for the dry methane 
reforming strategy. Methane and carbon dioxide is mixed and sent to a heater where the 
 
 
Fuel 
 
20 ?C 
279 bar 
600?C 
SC H
2
O 
600 ?C 
SC
600?C
200?C
169?C 
WGS 
200 ?C 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
H O
  
20 ?C
 
  
 
 
 
  
Steam
103?C
  
 
 
2
20?C 
 H
2
O 
1 bar
  WGS 
 Effluent
  200?C
279 bar 
Figure 16. Supercritical (SC) Methanol reformation block diagram 
48 
mixture feed was preheated and then sent to the DMR reactor, which operates at 850?C 
and 5 atm using cobalt-tungsten carbide catalyst. The DMR reactor was modeled as a 
conversion reactor. Reactions (37) and (38), illustrate the reforming reaction and the 
methane decomposition side reaction which occur within the DMR reactor. The 
reforming reaction is defined by a carbon dioxide fractional conversion of 0.78; 
conversely, the methane decomposition reaction is defined by a methane fractional 
conversion of 0.18. 
 
42 2
    2CH CO CO H+?+ (37) 
 
42
    2CH C H?+  (38) 
 
 The reactor effluent is cooled, then mixed with steam and sent to the WSG 
reactor, where the water gas shift (WGS) reaction proceeds at isothermal conditions of 
200?C and 1 atm. The water gas shift (WGS) reaction converts 99.1% of carbon 
monoxide to carbon dioxide. The water gas shift reaction is illustrated below. 
 
 
222
    CO H O CO H+?+ (2) 
 
 Since this reformation strategy is not as mature and detailed kinetic data is 
difficult to locate, these reformation models were simulated uses the data provided by 
Shao et al., (2005).  
 49
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel 
 
20 ?C 
1 bar 
850?C 
CO
2
 
850 ?C 
DR
850?C
200?C
169?C 
WGS 
200 ?C 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
H O
  
20 ?C
 
  
 
 
 
  
Steam
103?C
  
 
 
2
20?C 
  
1 bar
  WGS 
 Effluent
  200?C
CO
2
 
Figure 17. Dry (DR) Methane reformation block diagram 
50 
6. HEAT INTEGRATION PROCEDURE 
 
 The evaluation of hydrogen production processes would not be adequately 
complete without identifying and implementing the possible opportunities for thermal 
integration. Given that hydrogen is already at an uncompetitive cost level compared to 
fossil fuels, assessments of the heating and cooling utility requirements and potential 
opportunities to reduce their usage is imperative. Integration of the system?s heaters and 
coolers should be completed for all the reformation strategies, to reduce the overall 
process energy consumption and to evaluate how the energy demands affect the total 
capital cost of the process.  Temperature difference values and duties were extracted from 
each heat exchanger and reactor in the system to determine heating and cooling utility 
requirements of the processes. The temperature difference values and duties of the 
various streams were then entered into Aspen Tech HX-Net
TM 
, a computer software 
program that calculates minimum heating and cooling targets and develops heat 
exchanger network designs for process optimization through the integration of hot and 
cold streams. A screenshot of the HX-NET stream data input page is shown in figure 18 
below. 
 
   
 
 51
 
 
Figure 18. Stream data input form in Aspentech HX-Net 
 
 The upper section of the screen depicts a thermal pinch diagram, which is 
developed from the input temperature difference and enthalpy data collected from each 
heat exchanger and reactor in the system. The pinch diagram is a graphical representation 
of the how the heating and cooling demands of the processes can be optimized; such as, 
the excess heating can be utilized to heat cold streams, while the excess cooling can be 
employed to cool hot streams. 
The lower section of the screen allows the user to input a steam identification 
name, temperature difference values of the heat exchangers and reactors, and the enthalpy 
change of each stream during heating or cooling. The HX-Net software automatically 
generates the heat capacity of each stream on the basis of the supplied temperature 
difference data and enthalpy specifications. 
52 
 The HX-Net software generates candidate heat exchanger network designs based 
on minimizing the total annualized cost of the utility requirements and process equipment 
size. The software also allows the user to choose the option to match a specific stream 
with only the external utility streams; this option is achieved by forbidding all other 
internal stream matching. Two heat exchanger networks were generated for each of the 
various reformation strategies, large and small scale production schemes. One heat 
exchanger network design was developed allowing internal stream matching; therefore, 
permitting streams to be matched with both reactor streams and external utility streams. 
The other designed network prohibits internal stream matching with the reactor streams; 
so, streams were only allowed to be matched with the external utility streams. These two 
heat exchanger networks were developed to evaluate the total capital cost of process 
when internal stream matching is allowed and when it is not. Figure 19 depicts a 
screenshot of an example heat exchanger network design generated by Aspentech HX-
Net.   
 
 53
 
 
Figure 19. Pinch analysis summary from Aspentech HX-Net 
 
 Once the stream data has been completely specified, HX-Net calculates the 
minimum heating and cooling requirements of the system on the basis of conventional 
pinch analysis methodologies. The software also calculates the total capital cost, the 
theoretical minimum area of the shell tube heat exchangers necessary to fulfill the 
minimum utility requirements, and the minimum number of heat exchangers necessary to 
achieve the target. Figure 19 illustrates a screenshot of the pinch analysis summary and 
the targets of the heating and cooling energies, total capital cost, minimum area, and 
minimum number of necessary heat exchanger units. The software also supplies 
information on the pinch temperature of the process and the size of the thermal loads the 
utilities are required to carry. The total capital cost was the primary target that was 
54 
utilized for the comparison of the multiple reformation strategies and variation in the fuel 
complexity. 
 
 
 
                   Figure 20. Example heat exchanger network generated in Aspentech HX-Net  
 
  
 
 
 55
7. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 
 
The economic analysis for each of the reformation strategies was evaluated using 
Aspen Tech Icarus
TM 
Process Evaluator; which is a computer software program that 
calculates economic values, such as: the total project capital cost, total operating cost, 
total utility cost, total raw material cost, and the total product sales. The raw material and 
product flow rates along with the current chemical cost were entered into Icarus to allow 
the software to compute up to date raw material cost and product sales for each year. The 
current costs were inferred from Chemical Market Reporter and are as follows: 0.004 
$/mol for methane, which represents natural gas; 0.16 $/mol for dodecane, which 
signifies diesel; 0.00000828 $/mol for water; 0.0085 $/mol for methanol; and 0.000783 
$/mol for carbon dioxide. 
The minimum cost heat exchanger network areas and number of shells per each 
heat exchanger unit were extracted from HX-Net and also imported into Icarus to 
accurately calculate the cost of each heat exchanger process unit. The cost analysis 
calculations for reactors are complex, so the reactor costs were calculated separately by 
combination of heat exchanger cost estimation methods from Peters et al (2003), Lang 
factors provided by contacts in the chemical industry, and graphical linear relationships. 
Then the reactor costs were independently specified in Icarus. First, the volumetric 
reactor feed rates were extracted from the reformation models and a residence time of 
seven seconds was assumed to calculate the reactor volume utilizing equation (39). Next 
56 
the tube volume was calculated for a reactor outer diameter of two inches and length of 
twenty feet. Dividing the reactor volume by the tube volume will yield the surface area of 
the tube; equation (40). The total area is then calculated by multiplying the number of 
tubes by the area of the tube; equation (41).  
 
R
VV?=?
&
 (39) 
 
R
TUBE
T
V
A
V
=  (40) 
 
TOTAL TUBES TUBE
ANA=? (41) 
 
 After the reactor areas were calculated, a linear relationship was developed 
between the reactor costs and the areas. The linear relationship was utilized to calculate 
the cost of the reformers, WGS, and combustion reactors. The linear relationship between 
the reactor cost and area is illustrated in figure 21. 
  
 57
y = 237x + 13190
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$450,000
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Surface Area (m2)
E
q
u
i
p
m
en
t
 C
o
st
 (
U
S
D
)
 
Figure 21. Linear relationship between the reactor cost and the area. 
 
The independently calculated costs are then entered into Icarus for each of the 
reformers, WGS, and combustion reactors. A screenshot of the Icarus equipment cost 
analysis data input pages for heat exchangers and reactors are shown in figures 22 and 23 
below. 
 
58 
 
Figure 22. Heat exchanger cost analysis data input page in Aspentech Icarus 
 
 
 
Figure 23. Reactor cost analysis data input page in Aspentech Icarus 
 
 59
Once the raw material and product flow rates along with the current chemical and 
reactor costs  are entered into Icarus, the computer software is now capable of generating 
economic data: such as, total production capital cost, total operating cost, total utility 
cost, total raw material cost, and total product sales. The screenshot below illustrates the 
economic results generated by Icarus. 
 
 
Figure 24. Results from the Icarus economic analysis 
 
Further economic analyses were completed by extracting the delivered equipment 
cost, raw material cost, total operating cost and the total utility cost from Icarus and 
utilizing economic cost relationships provided by Peters et al (2003). This extracted data 
and the Microsoft Excel goal seek tool were utilized to calculate the hydrogen production 
cost in $/Nm
3 
.  
60 
A screenshot of the excel spreadsheet economic calculations and formulas in 
shown in figure 25.  
 
 
Figure 25. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet economic calculations and formulas. 
 
Figure 25 illustrates the economic relationships employed to calculate the fixed 
capital investment, working capital investment, total product cost, and hydrogen 
production cost.  
The fixed capital investment represents the capital necessary for the installed 
process equipment with all components that are needed for complete process operation. 
The working capital investment entails the total amount of money invested in raw 
materials and supplies carried in stock, the finished products in stock and semi finished 
products in the process of being manufactured, the accounts receivable, the cash kept on 
 61
hand for monthly payment of operating expenses, accounts payable, and taxes payable. 
The total product cost consists of total plant operating cost, selling the products, 
recovering the capital investment, and contributing to corporate functions. The economic 
analysis results for each of the reformation strategies are discussed in significant detail in 
the following chapter. 
 
 
 
62 
8. ANALYSIS OF LARGE AND SMALL SCALE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION 
 
 Detailed data reports for both large and small scale production and economic cost 
analysis were generated for the fuel models for steam reformation (SR), partial oxidation 
(POX), auto thermal reformation (ATR), supercritical methanol reformation (SC), and 
dry methane reformation (DR). The reports are included on a CD in Appendix A. Large 
and small scale hydrogen production processes were investigated with an hourly 
hydrogen production rate of 1240 mols/hr for large scale production and 12.40 mols/hr 
for small scale. Duties for heat exchangers and reactors were extracted from the units, as 
well as the compositions of the reformer and the water gas shift (WGS) effluents. 
Minimum heating and cooling requirements along with the minimum required heat 
exchanger areas were extracted from HX-Net. A summary of the representative 
integration potential results for both large and small scale production is presented in 
Tables 1 and 2. It should be noted that two scenarios were investigated for each 
reformation process. The first scenario allowed the reactors to be included in the heat 
exchanger network; while, the second scenario used only external utilities to heat or cool 
the reactors. Insights into the preferred reformation strategy based on cost savings from 
integration may be seen from the comparison of minimum utility demands of each 
strategy. 
 
 63
Heating Utilities (kW) Cooling Utilities (kW) 
Methane (CH
4
) 
w/o Reactors w/ Reactors w/o Reactors w/ Reactors 
POX 16120 (-73%) 2836 (-95%) 13870 (-76%) 578 (-99%) 
SR 127600 (-19%) 117800 (-25%) 10180 (-74%) 394 (-99%) 
ATR 27040 (-61%) 11990 (-83%) 15850 (-73%) 795 (-99%) 
Dry 93860 (-24%) 90890 (-27%) 24360 (-56%) 21390 (-61%) 
Heating Utilities (kW) Cooling Utilities (kW) 
Dodecane (C
12
H
26
) 
w/o Reactors w/ Reactors w/o Reactors w/ Reactors 
POX 22510 (-71%) 775 (-99%) 66090 (-45%) 44360 (-63%) 
SR 142400 (-19%) 133400 (-24%) 9383 (-95%) 422 (-100%) 
ATR 43710 (-57%) 1028 (-99%) 57850 (-51%) 15170 (-87%) 
Heating Utilities (kW) Cooling Utilities (kW) 
Methanol (CH
3
OH) 
w/o Reactors w/ Reactors w/o Reactors w/ Reactors 
SCWR 389700 (-46%) 389700 (-46%) 3352 (-99%) 3352 (-99%) 
 
Table 1: Results from process integration analysis (large scale production). 
  
For large scale production, supercritical methanol reformation yields the highest 
heating demands for both of the reactor scenarios. Furthermore, steam reformation yields 
the lowest cooling demands and the second highest heating demands for both methane 
and dodecane. For methane, auto thermal reformation has the lowest heating demands; 
while, for dodecane the lowest heating demands are required by partial oxidation. Since 
auto thermal reformation combines the heat production of partial oxidation with the 
endothermic steam reformation, it is not surprising that it has the most opportunities for 
energy integration. 
64 
 
Heating Utilities (Kw) Cooling Utilities (kW) 
Methane (CH
4
) 
w/o Reactors w/ Reactors w/o Reactors w/ Reactors 
POX 183 (-68%) 28 (-95%) 161 (-73%) 6 (-99%) 
SR 1276 (-18%) 1178 (-25%) 102 (-74%) 4 (-99%) 
ATR 122 (-83%) 3 (-100%) 278 (-53%) 8 (-98%) 
Dry 994 (-23%) 939 (-28%) 244 (-55%) 189 (-65%) 
Heating Utilities (kW) Cooling Utilities (kW) 
Dodecane (C
12
H
26
) 
w/o Reactors w/ Reactors w/o Reactors w/ Reactors 
POX 225 (-71%) 8 (-99%) 661 (-45%) 444 (-63%) 
SR 1424 (-19%) 1334 (-24%) 94 (-78%) 4 (-99%) 
ATR 437 (-57%) 10 (-99%) 578 (-50%) 151 (-87%) 
Heating Utilities (kW) Cooling Utilities (kW) 
Methanol (CH
3
OH) 
w/o Reactors w/ Reactors w/o Reactors w/ Reactors 
SCWR 7093 (-47%) 7093 (-47%) 34 (-99%) 34 (-99%) 
 
Table 2: Results from process integration analysis (small scale production). 
 
For small scale production, again supercritical methanol reformation yields the 
highest heating demands for both of the reactor scenarios.  Supercritical methanol yields 
the lowest cooling demands when the reactors are only matched with external utility 
streams; however, when the reactors are matched internally the lowest cooling demand is 
required by steam reformation. For methane auto thermal reformation yields the lowest 
heating demands for both reactor scenarios and has the highest cooling demands when 
the reactors are only matched externally. When the reactors are only matched internally, 
auto thermal reformation has the second highest cooling demands.  For dodecane, steam 
reformation yields the highest heating demands; conversely, this reformation strategy 
also yields the lowest cooling demands. Again, auto thermal reformation has the largest 
potential for energy integration, due to the combination of heat production from partial 
oxidation and endothermic steam reformation.  
In addition, two more scenarios for supplying external heating utilities were 
investigated for each of the reforming models. One scenario provides external heating 
utilities through the combustion of a fraction of the individual fuel source; while the other 
 65
utilizes the combustion of natural gas to generate the necessary external heating. These 
two scenarios were modeled to assist in the evaluation of the raw material?s cost; a 
significant part of the total economical analysis. Lastly, an economical analysis was 
conducted to evaluate the overall hydrogen production cost for each of the reformation 
strategies. The reformation models that utilized methane as the combustion fuel an 
allowed the reactors to be matched with internal utility streams were determined to be the 
most cost efficient. This is primarily due to the lower fuel cost of methane and the lower 
utility requirements to be supplied by external utilities. The following figures illustrate 
the percentage make-up of the total production cost for each of the most cost efficient 
reformation models. Figures 26-31 represent the three primary reformation strategies 
fueled by dodecane and methane, figure 31 represents supercritical reforming fueled by 
methanol, and figure 33 represents dry reforming fuel by methane. 
 SR Total Production Cost
Feed Fuel C12H26
Total Utility Cost
3.42%
Total Raw Material 
Cost
33.20%
Equipment Cost 
4.84%
Total Operating Cost 
58.54%
 
Figure 26. C
12
H
26
 Steam reforming (SR) Total Production Cost Analysis 
 
66 
Total Production Cost ATR 
 Fuel C
12
H
26
Total Utility Cost 
0.79%
Total Raw 
Material Cost
37.04%
Total Operating 
Cost
57.64%
Equipment Cost 
4.52%
 
Figure 27. C
12
H
26
 Auto Thermal reformation (ATR) Total Production Cost Analysis 
 
Total Production Cost POX
 Feed Fuel: C
12
H
26
Equipment Cost
3.10%
Total Raw Material 
Cost 
38.08%
Total Utility Cost
0.44%
Total Operating 
Cost 
58.38%
 
Figure 28. C
12
H
26
 Partial Oxidation (POX) Total Production Cost Analysis 
 
 For the three primary reformation models that utilize dodecane as the feed fuel the 
main costs arise from the total operating and raw material cost; while, the total utility and 
equipment cost contribute to only a small percentage of the total production cost. An 
 67
increase in the raw material cost would have a significant impact on the total production 
cost of these reformation strategies. 
 Total Production Cost SR
 Feed Fuel: CH
4 
Total Utility Cost
5.92%
Total Operating Cost 
62.99%
Equipment Cost 
11.66%
Total Raw Material 
Cost 
19.42%
 
Figure 29. CH
4
 Steam reforming (SR) Total Production Cost Analysis 
 
Total Production Cost ATR 
Feed Fuel: CH4
Total Utility Cost 
1.36%
Total Operating 
Cost
68.15%
Equipment Cost
10.12%
Total Raw Material 
Cost
20.37%
 
Figure 30. CH
4
 Auto Thermal reformation (ATR) Total Production Cost Analysis 
68 
Total Production Cost POX 
Feed Fuel: CH4
Total Utility Cost 
0.85%
Equipment Cost 
7.85%Total Raw 
Material Cost 
21.36%
Total Operating 
Cost 
69.94%
 
Figure 31. CH
4
 Partial Oxidation (POX) Total Production Cost Analysis 
  
 For the three primary reformation models that utilize methane as the feed fuel the 
main costs arise from the total operating and raw material cost; while, the total utility and 
equipment cost contribute to only a small percentage of the total production cost. 
However, the equipment cost has a greater impact on the total cost for these reformation 
strategies fueled by methane than when they are fueled by dodecane. Again, an increase 
in the raw material cost would have a significant impact on the total production cost of 
these reformation strategies. 
 
 69
 Total Production Cost SC
Feed Fuel CH
3
OH
Equipment Cost 
0.58%
Total Utility Cost
28.21%
Total Raw Material 
Cost 
61.41%
Total Operating 
Cost 
9.79%
 
Figure 32. Supercritical (SC) Methanol reforming Total Production Cost Analysis 
 
The total production costs for the supercritical methanol reforming are primarily 
influenced by the raw material cost. The utility costs have the second largest impact on 
the total production cost. The equipment cost and the total operating cost have a minor 
impact on the total production cost for these reformation strategies.  
 
70 
Total Production Cost DR
Feed Fuel CH
4
Equipment Cost 
41%
Total Operating Cost 
42%
Total Utility Cost
4%
Total Raw Material 
Cost 
13%
 
Figure 33. Dry (DR) Methane reformation Total Production Cost Analysis 
 
The total production costs for the dry methane reforming are primarily influenced 
by the total operating and equipment costs. The utility costs have a minimum impact on 
the total production cost. An increase in raw material cost would have the least impact on 
the dry methane reforming compared to all other reformation strategies. 
The total production costs were then normalized using the results for steam 
reforming of natural gas, which is the prevailing means of producing hydrogen. The 
results are shown in figure 34. In figure 34, the first three processes represent the 
traditional reforming strategies (SR, POX, ATR) for natural gas, while the remaining 
processes represent dry reforming (DR) of natural gas, reforming diesel fuel using SR, 
POX, ATR respectively, and finally supercritical water reforming (SCWR) of methanol. 
The results show it is apparent that dry reforming is the only technology that could be 
economically feasible for comparison with today?s steam reforming. 
 
 71
 
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
SR NG ATR NG POX NG DRY NG ATR
Diesel
POX
Diesel
SR
Diesel
SCWR
MeOH
Rel
a
t
i
ve Hyd
r
o
g
en
 
P
r
o
d
u
c
t
i
o
n
 
Co
st
 (
S
R Nat
u
r
a
l
 G
a
s =
1
)
Small Scale (1,000Nm3/hr) Large Scale (100,000 Nm3/hr)
 
Figure 34: Relative hydrogen production cost 
72 
9. ANALYSIS OF HYDROGEN PRODUCTION UNDER SIZE CONSTRAINTS 
 
9.1. Introduction  
Minimizing the size of the process system in terms of weight and volume as well 
as the footprint size for the desired electricity production are the two primary concerns 
when selecting a reformation strategy that is capable of being utilized for mobile 
applications. Reformation models were simulated for the three primary reforming 
strategies: steam reforming (SR), auto thermal reforming (ATR), and partial oxidation 
(POX). Each reformation model was evaluated with multiple hydrocarbon fuels to 
investigate the effects of fuel complexity on the system. Methane was utilized to 
represent natural gas; while, dodecane was employed to signify diesel fuel.  The JP-8 jet 
fuel was represented by a combination of C
10
, C
12
, C
14
, and C
16
, given that these four 
components characterize approximately 80% of the jet fuel.  
The heat exchanger network area is related directly to the weight and indirectly to 
the volume of the fuel. The weight to fuel correlation is illustrated by the requirement for 
larger areas as the flow rates are increased; while, the volume to fuel correlation is 
represented by the algebraic relationships that relate density, volume, and weight.  
The comparison of the minimum utility requirements and the opportunity to apply 
integration potentials are key factors that are evaluated, when determining the best 
reformation strategy for each specific hydrogen application. The utility requirements of 
 73
the system reflect specifically on the reformation strategy, given that the post-reformer 
clean up steps have equal utility requirements. 
 
9.2. Simulation Results 
Heating and cooling duties, and the reformer and the water gas shift (WGS) 
reactor effluents were extracted from the simulation models. Table 3 displays the 
minimum heating and cooling duties, the integration potential, the amount of hydrogen 
produced, and the electric current generated by the fuel cell. All the values reported in 
table 3 were calculated by Aspen Tech and Aspen HX-Net. 
 
Methane CH
4
SR POX ATR
Min. Heating (kW) [% reduction] 20,240 [36%] 1,996 [80%] 1,820 [83%]
Min. Cooling (kW) [% reduction] 1,987 [85%] 3,702 [68%] 2,827 [76%]
H
2
 Production (mol) 247 172 175
Electric Current (10
4
 A) 3.81 2.65 2.7
Dodecane C
12
H
26
SR POX ATR
Min. Heating (kW) [% reduction] 19,560 [37%] 6,767 [56%] 6,618 [61%]
Min. Cooling (kW) [% reduction] 2,170 [84%] 2,678 [76%] 1,798 [85%]
H
2
 Production (mol) 215 130 134
Electric Current (10
4
 A) 3.32 2.00 2.07
Reduced JP8 SR POX ATR
Min. Heating (kW) [% reduction] 18,210 [36%] 6,717 [56%] 6,643 [61%]
Min. Cooling (kW) [% reduction] 1,638 [86%] 2,668 [76%] 1,795 [85%]
H
2
 Production (mol) 215 130 134
Electric Current (10
4
 A) 3.31 2.01 2.07
 
Table 3. Summary of integration potential of fuel reforming models 
 
 
74 
The two main achievements of this work are the comparison of reformation 
strategies based on their utility requirements and energy integration potential and the 
development of relationships between volume and weight size constraints with electricity 
production, HEN area, and the complexity of fuels (Cummings, 2006). 
Both literature and this work show that the highest hydrogen production, thus the 
most electricity production occurs with steam reformation (Brown, 2001). Consequently, 
even though steam reforming produces the highest yield of hydrogen, it also requires the 
highest heating utilities of the three primary reformation strategies. Auto thermal 
reforming has the lowest heating and second lowest cooling requirements. Partial 
oxidation has the second lowest heating requirements; however, it also has the highest 
cooling requirements of all the proposed reformation strategies. Figure 35 illustrates the 
relationships between the HX-Net design areas and the electrical production of the 
various reformation strategies and the multiple reforming fuels; in addition, this figure 
evaluates the optimum combination of reforming fuel and strategy to achieve the best 
energy utilization. When attempting to achieve the optimum energy utilization of a 
process, the two primary constraints on the system are the size of the heat exchanger 
networks and the minimum electrical production requirements of the process. Both of 
these concerns can be evaluated using the data in figure 35.  
 75
Minimum Total HX Area vs. Electricity Production
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000
Electricity Production (A)
Minimum H
X
 Ar
ea (m
2
)
Reformation strategy:         Fuel:
SR                                          C1
POX                                        C12
ATR                                        Reduced JP8
 
Figure 35. HX area and electricity production for best energy utilization 
 
 
Auto thermal reforming was evaluated on the basis of energy utilization, since the 
data generated confirms that the ATR reformation strategy has the lowest heating and 
second lowest cooling requirements as well as the largest opportunity for potential 
integration for the multiple reforming fuels that were investigated.  
Placing a constraint of 1,000 m
2
 on the maximum heat exchanger network will 
yield a maximum power generation of 20,000 A by utilizing methane as the fuel; 
however, employing dodecane or JP-8 as the reformation fuel will provide only 6,000 A 
of generated power. Conversely, if the process system has a minimum electricity 
production requirement of 20,000 A, the minimum area for a sufficient heat exchanger 
network is 1,000 m
2
 for methane and approximately 3,000 m
2   
for JP-8 and dodecane. 
76 
Minimum Total HX Area vs. Electricity Production
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000
Electricity Production (A)
Minimu
m H
X
 A
r
ea (
m
2
)
Reformation strategy:    Fuel:
SR                                   C1
POX                                 C12
ATR                                 Reduced JP8
 
Figure 36. HX area and electricity production for maximum power production 
  
 If the consideration is no longer energy utilization, but rather how to achieve 
maximum power for a fixed size, the relationships in figure 35 may be extended to those 
shown in figure 36. Utilizing methane as the reforming fuel, auto thermal reforming has 
the capabilities of producing a maximum of 20,000 A of power under a size constraint of 
1000 m
2
. Partial oxidation has the ability to produce a maximum of 25,000 A of power, 
which is 5,000 A more than produced by auto thermal reforming, under an equal size 
constraint and employing the same reforming fuel. The trade-offs between size, 
reformation strategy, and power must be evaluated in order to determine the optimal 
system.  
 77
 The data from the simulation models can also be utilized to develop relationships 
between the fuel storage volume and the electricity production. Figure 37 graphically 
illustrates the quantity of electricity that is capable of being generated by a certain 
reformation strategy for a precise volume of fuel that is fed. Methane, due to having a 
much larger vapor volume than liquid hydrocarbons, is positioned on a different axis than 
dodecane and the JP-8.  
 
Volumetric Fuel Usage vs Fuel Cell Electricity Production
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000
Electricity Production (A)
C
12 a
nd R
e
du
ced JP
8 
Fuel U
s
a
g
e 
(L/
s
)
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
C
1
 Fue
l U
sage (
L
/s)
Reformation strategy:         Fuel:
SR                                          C1
POX                                        C12
ATR                                        Reduced JP8
 
Figure 37. Relationship between fuel storage volume and electricity production 
 
Utilizing the auto thermal reformation strategy to produce 20,000 A of electricity 
would require storage facilities of roughly 120,000 L/s for the vapor fuel; while the 
storage requirements for the liquid hydrocarbons would be approximately 0.34 L/s for the 
78 
electricity production of 6000 A. Employing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel instead of a 
hydrocarbon vapor fuel would reduce the required storage volume from 120,000 L/s to 
1.3 L/s, for a auto thermal reformation process with a minimum power production 
requirement of 20,000 A. The more complex liquid hydrocarbon fuels use less volume of 
fuel; however, the power production is significantly lower than when a vapor 
hydrocarbon fuel is utilized. These relationships enable a better understanding of the 
effects on the process design depending on whether the constraint is on process size, 
storage limits or electricity production. 
 These relationships may be used to design the process for a given constraint, 
given that the optimization targets of the heat exchangers and which fuel and reformation 
strategy combination supplies the most power production has already been identified. If 
the system is constrained by the fuel storage volume, as in mobile applications, the 
maximum power will be obtained from the more complex hydrocarbon fuels. However, if 
the system is constrained by the weight instead of the storage volume of the fuel, the 
maximum power will be achieved by the lower hydrocarbon fuels. These relationships 
may have been theoretically obvious before; nevertheless, they have now been quantified 
for specific fuels and reformation strategies. 
 
 79
10. CONCLUSIONS 
 
10.1. Achievements 
 
 The main achievement of this work is the holistic comparison of the reformation 
strategies based on the impact of their utility requirements, energy integration potential, 
equipment costs, and raw material costs on the total production cost. The results from the 
economic analysis allow the reformation strategies to be evaluated for a specific 
hydrogen application and determine which strategy is the most suitable for that specific 
application. Also, relationships between volume and weight size constraints with 
electricity production, HEN areas, and the complexity of fuels were developed to 
evaluate the potential of each reformation strategy for mobile applications.  
The success of the future hydrogen energy economy is largely dependent on cost 
competitiveness of hydrogen with other transportation fuels. The ability to produce 
hydrogen cheaply is only the first of many challenges that need to be addressed. The 
implementation of a hydrogen energy infrastructure will require enormous investments in 
new production and distribution systems.  
When evaluating reforming strategies for mobile applications on a basis of energy 
cost versus electricity production, auto thermal reformation is the fuel processing strategy 
of choice. Relationships between the electricity production and system constraints have 
been quantified to aid in the design of a fuels processing system for mobile applications. 
An increased understanding of how the maximum electricity generated by the fuel cell is
80 
fundamentally dependent on the limits of the fuel volume and mass as well as the 
footprint of the heat exchanger network area has also been achieved. Fuel volume storage 
constraints suggest reforming higher hydrocarbon fuels, while fuel weight constraints
suggest lower hydrocarbon fuels. Minimizing heat exchanger network areas generally 
requires a lower hydrocarbon fuel for partial oxidation and auto thermal reformation; 
while, steam reforming footprint requirements are all much greater than the other 
reforming strategies. 
Other achievements of this work include the development of simulation models of 
the entire fuels processing system and economic analysis for each reformation strategy. 
These models include five fuel reforming strategies and three different fuel sources, 
allowing for a greater understanding of the effects that increasing fuel complexity will 
have on the entire system. A simplified approach to the estimation of reformation kinetics 
has also been developed, allowing for the simulation of complex kinetics with simplified 
reaction stoichiometry. The economical analysis results allow each reformation strategy 
and reforming fuel to be evaluated and allocated to a specific hydrogen application in 
which that strategy has the most suitable performance.  
It is apparent that the current technologies for producing hydrogen from liquid 
fuels are not attractive if evaluated only on the production costs. Benefits such as storage, 
transportability, etc. will need to be quantified for all types of fuel in order to better 
compare the technologies. However, dry reforming technology appears to be a potentially 
cheaper alternative to the current state of the art. These results provided from this work, 
challenges previous ideas on how to compare the value of each reformation strategy.  
 81
The results obtained in this work indicate that for industrial scale production of 
hydrogen, only dry reforming (DR) of natural gas shows any promise for competing with 
the traditional reforming strategies like steam reforming (SR), partial oxidation (POX) 
and autothermal reforming (ATR). For size-constrained systems, e.g. onboard vehicular 
fuel processing systems, partial oxidation appears to provide the best trade-off between 
power production and system size.  
 
10.2. Remaining Challenges & Future Work 
 
 This work is a small step in the work that must be completed in order to establish 
a future hydrogen energy economy. The implementation of a hydrogen energy 
infrastructure will require enormous investments in new production and distribution 
systems. A simplified approach was utilized in specifying fuels and reaction kinetics. 
Logistical fuels vary widely in their compositions, depending on their crude and refining 
sources. These particular modeling studies investigated three logistical fuels: natural gas, 
diesel, and methanol. In order to develop the basic reformation relationships, minor 
simplification of the logistical fuels was necessary. Natural gas was simplified as 
methane, while dodecane provided a simple representation of diesel fuel. More models, 
with specific detail on the logistical fuels, should be investigated to better understand the 
effects of fuel composition on the energy integration potential of the process system. 
Similarly in this work, complex reaction kinetics were represented by simplified 
stoichiometric equations. Yet again, more work is necessary to broaden the understanding 
and advance the development of the reaction equations which is a critical component for 
the construction of efficient reformers. As to date there has been no detailed kinetic work 
82 
reported concerning the exact break down of complex hydrocarbon fuels during 
reformation. Currently, due to insufficient kinetic data, process adjustments are made in 
temperature, pressure, and feed ratios to obtain high hydrogen yields. A thorough 
understanding of the reformation kinetics of complex hydrocarbon mixtures will greatly 
impact the fuels processing industry.  
 Besides developing more complex, detailed models of fuels and fuels processing, 
research into alternative fuels appears promising. The search for environmentally friendly 
energy resources has moved into reforming bio-derived fuels, such as ethanol, Fischer-
Tropsch liquids, bio-diesel and di-methyl-ether (DME). Bio-derived fuels have energy 
densities comparable to other hydrocarbon fuels and are renewable unlike fossil fuels 
(Ullmann?s, 2003). 
 This analysis focused on five reformation strategies, chosen for the extensive 
work and research previously completed on the processes. These various reforming 
strategies have been found to satisfy the requirements of both large and small scale 
stationary production as well as mobile and portable applications (quick start up, 
produces adequate quantities of hydrogen, etc.) and their energy requirements are well 
known. Evaluating other reformation strategies, i.e. plasma and non-oxidative catalytic 
dehydrogenation of alkanes, may provide opportunities in energy management, overall 
production costs, electricity production, and storage/transportation limitations, which 
may make it possible to overcome current reformation difficulties. Plasma reforming 
utilizes microwaves with air and steam to remove hydrogen from gasoline. Non-oxidative 
catalytic dehydrogenation employs enzymes or microwave pulses to separate hydrogen 
 83
from alkanes. These and other reformation strategies will need to be further investigated 
and compared with current technologies. 
Evaluating alternative reforming fuels and strategies will provide more 
information on how to produce the most hydrogen in a cost effective, environmentally 
friendly manner for various applications. Seeing that one of the main challenges of the 
future hydrogen energy economy is the cost reduction of hydrogen production, more 
reformation models will need to be generated and investigated to compare the cost 
analysis of the different reforming strategies. Various reforming fuels should also be 
evaluated to achieve a relationship between raw material and production cost, to ensure 
the process system is reaching the highest hydrogen conversion for the least raw material 
cost. Also energy integration should be investigated and employed to reduce the utility 
cost, which have a major impact on the total production cost. At the current time the cost 
of hydrogen production for transportation fuels is not competitive with conventional fuels 
and technologies. The cost of hydrogen, regardless of the production technology, must be 
competitive with gasoline prices. Further research is needed to significantly reduce the 
capital equipment, operational, and maintenance costs; in addition, to improving the 
efficiency of hydrogen production technologies and addressing the environmental 
emission issues.   
Further research is also needed in developing a storage and transportation 
infrastructure; which is another challenging area of for the future hydrogen energy 
economy. There is no current storage or transportation infrastructure that is capable of 
supplying the quantity of hydrogen needed for automotive and off-board applications 
from production sites to end users. Additional investigation should be completed to 
84 
evaluate decentralized and centralized hydrogen production; along with, evaluating which 
reformation strategy and infrastructure is most applicable for each specific hydrogen 
application. Along with hydrogen production technologies, the storage and transportation 
infrastructure is a major obstacle that must be overcome to ensure the success of the 
future hydrogen energy economy. 
Further size constrained work should be completed for solid oxide, molten 
carbonate, or other types of fuel cells to achieve the same electricity production from the 
fuel cells while decreasing the equipment and energy requirements to clean-up reformer 
effluent; thus also reducing the production costs. Advancement in these research and 
development areas would enable tremendous potential for utilizing these methods in 
mobile application and other size-limited application such as microelectronics, aviation, 
space and submarines. 
 This work has developed preliminary methods to perform economic analyses for 
each of the reformation strategies and fuels. The methods apply specifically to evaluating 
the fuel processing cost and assessing means of reducing these costs. More models need 
to be developed and data provided to create a standard approach to optimizing a process 
system under economic constraints of energy integration and process equipment and raw 
material cost standpoints. 
 
 85
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