Methanol Cracking Hydrogen System

With the rapid development of the petroleum refining industry and the petrochemical industry centered on the three major synthetic materials, hydrogen consumption has also increased rapidly. Many synthetic, metallurgical, and electronics industries urgently need large quantities of pure hydrogen. Our company possesses core technology for recovering hydrogen from hydrogen-rich industrial waste gas, achieving high recovery rates and high purity. For small chemical plants requiring smaller hydrogen volumes, our company has developed a novel pressure swing adsorption (PSA) hydrogen production unit. This unit purifies hydrogen to high purity through methanol cracking.

1.1 Raw Material Properties

⑴ Properties of Raw Material Methanol: The chemical name is methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, or wood spirit. Molecular formula: CH3OH, molecular weight: 32.04. It is a colorless, transparent, flammable, and volatile liquid with an odor similar to ethanol. Specific gravity: 0.7915. Melting point: -97.80℃, boiling point: 64.7℃, vapor pressure at 20℃: 96.3 mmHg, viscosity: 0.5945 centipoise, flash point: 11.11℃, autoignition point: 385℃, explosive limits in air: 6.0–36.5%. Methanol is one of the most commonly used organic solvents and is miscible with water and many other organic solvents.

(2) Properties of demineralized water from raw materials

1.2 Product Properties

The methanol catalytic converter gas produced by this unit mainly consists of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Its properties are described below:

⑴ Hydrogen Properties: Molecular formula H2, molecular weight 2.0158, colorless and odorless gas. Non-toxic and non-corrosive. Gas density 0.0899 kg/m3, melting point -259.14℃, boiling point -252.8℃, autoignition point 400℃, very slightly soluble in water, alcohol, ether, and various liquids. Stable at room temperature, but very reactive at high temperatures with a catalyst, extremely flammable and explosive, and can combine with many non-metals and metals.

⑵ Carbon Dioxide Properties: Chemical name carbon dioxide, also known as carbonic anhydride, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid gas. Molecular formula CO2, molecular weight 44.01, colorless and odorless gas. It has a sour smell, a gas density of 1.977 kg/m³, a melting point of -56.6℃, and a boiling point of -78.5℃ (sublimation). It is readily soluble in water to form carbonic acid, and soluble in ethanol, methanol, acetone, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and benzene. It is a non-flammable gas and can be used as a fire extinguishing agent.

2.1 Raw Material Specifications

Methanol: Meets the national standard GB338-92 Grade I standard requirements. It is recommended to use products from a methanol synthesis unit with a scale of 30Kt/y or higher, ensuring pollution-free transportation; the use of recycled methanol is strictly prohibited. Desalinated Water: Meets the national standard GB12145-89P (DC furnace) requirements, with a chloride ion content of less than or equal to 3ppm.

2.2 Product Specifications

⑴ Composition of Converted Gas: H2 73～74.5%, CO2 23～24.5%, CO <0.8%, CH3OH 300ppm, H2O saturated

⑵ Pressure: 1.1MPa

⑶ Temperature: <40℃

Process Principle

Under specific pressure, temperature, and the action of a special gas-solid catalyst, methanol and water undergo a cracking reaction, converting into approximately 75% hydrogen and approximately 24% carbon dioxide, with trace amounts of carbon monoxide and methane. The converted gas undergoes heat exchange, condensation, and purification. The purified gas then sequentially passes through an adsorption tower containing multiple adsorbents, separating impurity gases in a single pass.

Technical Features

1. Through special filling techniques, the adsorbent's service life can reach over 10 years.

2. The pressurization and depressurization processes are achieved by a new type of gas distributor and special control valves, each with a service life of up to 2 million cycles. The gas distribution technology significantly optimizes pressure swing adsorption efficiency and piping processes.

3. Hydrogen flow rate is indicated by a flow meter, and purity is continuously monitored by an oxygen analyzer. When the purity does not meet customer requirements, automatic venting will prevent substandard gases from entering the customer's production line.

4. The use of a gas distributor reduces the number of valves required.

5. Skid-mounted assembly, requiring no on-site installation work.

6. Small footprint and short commissioning cycle.

7. Rapid start-up; product hydrogen is available within 30 minutes of startup.

8. High degree of automation; fully automatic and unmanned operation.

9. Low investment, compact structure, low operating costs, simple process, and minimal maintenance.

10. Product purity 95~99.9995%

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