Application: Topsøe’s proprietary Methanol-to-Shift technology is a revamp option for hydrogen production increase for a reforming-based hydrogen plant. This technology can raise hydrogen production capacity by more than 25%. The capacity expansion is flexible and can be changed in very short time; the technology is suitable for capacity peak shaving and offers the refiner higher feedstock and product slate flexibility.
Description: Additional hydrogen is produced by reforming of methanol over Topsøe’s novel dual-function catalyst—LK-510. When installed in the existing CO shift converter and fed simultaneously with methanol and reformed gas, the LK-510 catalyst promotes both the conversion of CO with steam to H2 and CO2 and the reforming of methanol to H2 and CO2.
Methanol from a day tank is pumped to a steam-heated evaporator and fed as vapor to the existing CO shift converter, now loaded with the LK-510 catalyst. In most cases, it will be necessary to revamp the PSA unit for the additional capacity and to check the equipment downstream of the CO shift converter and modify as required.
Economics: The Methanol-to-Shift revamp technology is a low-investment option for hydrogen capacity increase and is rapid to install. The total investment cost is less than 40% of that of a new hydrogen plant. Methanol consumption is approximately 0.54 kg / Nm3 hydrogen (0.03 lb/scf H2 ).
Licensor: Haldor Topsøe A/S.
