Heat and Power Integration of Methane Reforming Based Hydrogen Production

Heat and power integration studies are carried out for a conventional methane reforming based hydrogen production plant by formulating and solving the minimum hot/cold/electric utility cost problem for the associated heat exchange network. The formulation of the problem allows for the optimal integration of heat exchangers, heat engines, and heat pumps, and its solution shows a utility profit due to electricity production in excess of process needs. Heat integration alone (pinch analysis) results in a 36% reduction in utility costs with respect to a conventional (albeit nonoptimized) process.