Cryogenic hydrogen upgraders

This source of hydrogen is being effectively utilized with the aid of the cryogenic hydrogen upgrader to recover and purify hydrogen for return to such refinery applications as residuum hydrocracking and hydrodesulfurization. 

The hydrogen upgrading in refineries is traditionally carried out by means of PSA and cryogenic separation processes. However, the application of membrane systems for this type of separation is rapidly growing toward the commercial level, owing to the advantages related to the low capital costs, low energy requirements, and modularity. 

Hydrogen is currently transported by pipeline or by road via cylinders, tube trailers, metallic hydrides, and cryogenic tankers. For the latter, a small amount shipped by rail or barge is certainly required. At present, hydrogen is produced in a limited number of plants and is used for making chemicals or upgrading fuels. 

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