Economics of hydrogen production

In recent years, many advances have been made in hydrogen plant technology. Substantial improvements have been incorporated into hydrogen 

There are a mrmber of options available to refiners to meet the increase in hydrogen demand. Before deciding to proceed with any option, refiners should conduct a comprehensive technical and economic evaluation of their existing operations and evaluate the technical and economic benefits of the options available to them. The option that provides the optimum economic and operations benefits will be different for each situation and will depend on such ftings as the existing steam balance, the cost and availability of utilities, plot limitations, and the condition of existing hydrogen plants. 

The first option for refiners who are operating Old Style (See Section 3.4) hydrogen plants is to consider ways to increase the capacity of these plants. Following an evaluation of the condition and efficiency of the existing plant, they may be able to effectively increase the capacity by either tightening up on operations or selectively upgrading portions of the old plant. 

Replacing reformer tubes with upgraded metallurgy and thinner walls will allow for more throughput and a higher heat flux, which would increase capacity. 

A third option is to buy hydrogen from a 3 party. Various industrial gas suppliers are willing to sell hydrogen to refiners either by pipeline or, depending on location, by a stand-alone plant. This option requires a minimal capital investment by the refiner but the delivered hydrogen will probably be more expensive per unit than if self-produced. 

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Economics of Hydrogen Production and Use Joan Ogden, Princeton University... 

The economics of hydrogen production and assessments of potential markets. 

The price of carbon black has the greatest effect on the economics of hydrogen production from a solar reactor, regardless of application. Thus, higher value carbon markets should be pursued as a way to improve the process economics. 

If there is a significant change in the economics of hydrogen production by steam reforming of natural gas ... 

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