Steam-Methane Reforming Offers a Green Method to Produce Hydrogen

According to scientists, the electrification of traditional fossil-fueled approaches to steam-methane reforming (SMR) offers a “greener” method for the industrial production of hydrogen.

This method is not just green it also increases the conversion of methane and restricts the undesirable carbon byproduct formation.

When implemented worldwide, the highly efficient reactors produced by the researchers—which are nearly 100 times smaller than conventional reactors or else as big as a six-story building—can possibly eliminate approximately 1% of all global CO₂ emissions.

We see the electrified reformer as the next logical step in the chemical industry, because in this way we can transform the industry going towards greener processes, but [with] processes that are at the same time feasible so ... we don’t have to increase the production prices.

Peter Mortensen, Study Co-Author, American Association for the Advancement of Science

SMR is a well-known process and is used for producing hydrogen, which is a key component in the preparation of industrial chemicals, such as ammonia, which are used in agricultural fertilizers. The conversion of methane into hydrogen and CO₂ by SMR takes place under very high temperatures and using steam.

Although this method is extensively being used, it also has a significant trace of CO₂. The greenhouse gas is produced as a byproduct of the reaction, and the fossil-fuel burning furnaces facilitate in supplying the heat needed to steer the reactions.

Although SMR can produce about 50% of the global supply of hydrogen, it is estimated that the process can account for about 3% of global emissions of CO₂. According to the authors, in spite of many years of study into enhancing the efficiency of the process, no low-emission alternatives have been made available at an industrial scale.

In the study, Wismann et al. used a direct electrical resistance and an AC current to heat the reactors to show an electrically driven analysis of methane reforming. In contrast to conventional SMR, the electrified process transfers heat uniformly throughout the reactor. Moreover, integrated heating permits the design of exceptionally compact reactors.

In a related perspective, Kevin Geem et al. suggested that electrification of other industrial chemical processes could lead to a sustainable path forward, specifically as the electricity costs from renewable sources keep declining.