A novel process for stationary hydrogen production: the reformer sponge iron cycle (RESC)

Abstract The reformer sponge iron cycle (RESC) is discussed as a new process for stationary hydrogen production. The RESC is based on the sponge iron reaction process in combination with a reformer unit. The sponge iron reaction process is a cyclic process for water splitting, whereby a syngas is consumed. The syngas reacts with iron oxide (magnetite, Fe3O4) to produce a reduced form of iron oxide (wuestite or iron). The reduced iron oxide is re-oxidised with steam to form magnetite and hydrogen. This process is now combined with the reformer to enhance the overall efficiency considerably. The reformer is operated with methane or liquid hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide and steam out of the sponge iron reaction process off-gas are used for the reforming reaction. Experimental investigations concentrate on the lifetime analysis of the contact mass of the sponge iron reaction process and the catalyst performance under given temperature conditions, and syngas and off-gas compositions as discussed in this paper.

[1]  Lanny D. Schmidt,et al.  Catalytic partial oxidation of natural gas to syngas , 1995 .

[2]  Qiming Zhu,et al.  Effects of promoters and preparation procedures on reforming of methane with carbon dioxide over Ni/Al2O3 catalyst , 1996 .

[3]  P. Courty,et al.  Catalysis, the turntable for a clean future , 1996 .

[4]  D. L Trimm,et al.  Catalysts for the control of coking during steam reforming , 1999 .

[5]  E. Ruckenstein,et al.  Carbon dioxide reforming of methane over nickel alkaline earth metal oxide catalysts , 1995 .

[6]  M Momirlan,et al.  Current status of hydrogen energy , 2002 .

[7]  V. Choudhary,et al.  Simultaneous steam and CO2 reforming of methane to syngas over NiO/MgO/SA-5205 in presence and absence of oxygen , 1998 .

[8]  Viktor Hacker,et al.  Hydrogen production by steam–iron process , 2000 .

[9]  J. Rostrup-Nielsen.  New aspects of syngas production and use , 2000 .

[10]  Jens R. Rostrup-Nielsen,et al.  Conversion of hydrocarbons and alcohols for fuel cells , 2002 .

[11]  M. Poirier,et al.  Catalytic decomposition of natural gas to hydrogen for fuel cell applications , 1997 .

[12]  Jens R. Rostrup-Nielsen,et al.  Catalytic Steam Reforming , 1984 .

[13]  Pamela L. Spath,et al.  Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogen Production via Natural Gas Steam Reforming , 2000 .

[14]  Anton C. Vosloo,et al.  Fischer–Tropsch: a futuristic view , 2001 .

[15]  David L. Trimm,et al.  Coke formation and minimisation during steam reforming reactions , 1997 .

[16]  Viktor Hacker,et al.  Usage of biomass gas for fuel cells by the SIR process , 1998 .