Progress of Commercial Technologies for Producing Syngas and Hydrogen from Hydrocarbon Gases

Commercial processes for conversion of carbon-containing gases to syngas and hydrogen are considered. The techno-economic characteristics of the main hydrocarbon gas conversion processes (steam methane reforming, partial oxidation, autothermal reforming) used by world’s leading chemical and petrochemical companies and implemented on the commercial or semicommercial scale are presented. The characteristics of these processes are analyzed. The processes of steam conversion, autothermal reforming, and partial oxidation of methane have specific predominant application fields depending on the feed composition and requirements to the composition of the syngas obtained. The steam conversion can ensure the maximal H2/CO molar ratio in the syngas obtained, and the processes of autothermal reforming and partial oxidation of methane do not require external heat supply to the reactor and are simple in implementation. Analysis of the syngas market shows that the main drivers of its progress can be the need for alternative resources and the stable demand of the chemical industry.