Integrated hydrogen liquefaction process with steam methane reforming by using liquefied natural gas cooling system

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop a conceptual design for a hydrogen liquefaction process at a 300 tonnes per day scale. The process uses cold energy from the vaporization of liquefied natural gas and is integrated with a steam methane reforming process. This study is motivated by the fact that a cryogenic cooling system requires a large amount of energy to liquefy hydrogen. Moreover, sea water is mostly used as the heating medium for the vaporization of liquefied natural gas at terminals. The proposed process is compared with the commercialized hydrogen liquefaction process to verify its efficiency and feasibility. The simulation results reveal that the liquefaction energy is reduced from 13.58 kWh/kg of liquid hydrogen to 11.05 kWh/kg with proposed process. The cost associated with liquid hydrogen production is approximately USD 2.53/kg, making it economically viable. The results of this study can contribute to improving the hydrogen economy by using liquefied natural gas cooling system to liquefy hydrogen. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd