Hydrogen in chemical and petrochemical industry

Abstract Hydrogen is one of the most important products and intermediates of the modern chemical and petrochemical industry. Today, it is mainly produced through hydrocarbon conversion processes, starting from fossil feedstocks. Steam reforming of light hydrocarbons is the most widespread process for pure hydrogen production, while other processes like autothermal reforming and partial oxidation are preferable when a H2-CO-rich syngas is required. At present, most of hydrogen production is realized by steam reforming of natural gas or light hydrocarbons, like LPG and light naphtha, in large centralized units integrated in ammonia plants or refineries. Large hydrogen amounts are also produced from fossil feedstock in the form of a H2-CO-rich syngas for methanol production and other petrochemical processes. Although the steam reforming process of natural gas is the most efficient and economical process, the high amount of related CO2 emissions is threatening its primacy. Hence, there is wide interest in the development of innovative steam reforming solutions aimed at increasing the process efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. In particular the use of structured-type catalysts, the high efficiency steam reformers, and the membrane reactors based on H2-selective Pd membranes are here outlined. Among latest strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of hydrogen production, also the use of renewable electric power as a heat source for the steam reforming process is attracting great attention.