Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Most of the hydrogen used today is produced in large plants by the process of
steam-methane reforming of natural gas.
chemically with extremely hot steam. The steam is between
about 1290°F and 1830°F (700°C and 1000°C). A
chemical
reaction
takes place that produces a gas that is a mixture of
hydrogen and the gas carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide
then has a chemical reaction with the steam to produce a
mixture of the gases hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Steam-methane reforming is considered an eficient way
to get hydrogen from a hydrogen compound. This process has
been used by the oil reinery and chemical industries for many
years. Currently, there is a plentiful supply of natural gas in
the United States and Canada (although that may not be true
in the future). This also means a plentiful supply of methane.
The
pipelines
needed to deliver the natural gas to processing
plants are already in place. This saves time and money because
many new delivery structures do not have to be built.
