Simulation and Analysis of a Hydrogen Generation Unit

Abstract

High Purity Grade Hydrogen is an important compound used in oil refineries due to its capacity for withdrawing sulfur impurities from fuels. This feedstock is commonly produced in Hydrogen Generation Units through a Steam Methane Reforming process. Due to the high-grade requirements in Hydrotreament processes, a hydrogen purification step is mandatory, often conducted in batteries of adsorption columns, known as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). The main objective of this paper is to present the simulation of a Hydrogen Generation Unit, focusing on the PSA process modeling approach. ASPEN PLUS™ was utilized in conjunction with MATLAB ® to model the whole process. The link between both simulators was established through VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macros developed in Excel. This two-way connection did not affect the results obtained by the simulation of the whole process unit, as it was carried out successfully and was able to represent the global mass and energy balances satisfactory, obtaining hydrogen with 99.8% purity.

Future Paradigm of 3D Printed Ni-Based Metal Organic Framework Catalysts for Dry Methane Reforming: Techno-economic and Environmental Analyses

“…As mentioned earlier, Aspen Plus and MATLAB were interconnected through Microsoft Excel (see Figure 2 c). 39 The MATLAB codes were written with considerations of the Languir–Freundlich isotherm parameter, loading ratio correlation (LRC) model, and linear driving force (LDF) model coefficients (see detailed information in Supporting Information Section S-2 ). 45 In addition, the dual-layer adsorbents zeolite 5A (Z5A) and activated carbon (AC) were used as the adsorbent due to their respective characteristics, where Z5A can adsorb traces of CO and N 2 , while AC removes a bulk amount of CO 2 and CH 4.…”

“…This is essentially part of the model to simulate H 2 purification more accurately rather than the conventional method of relying on an assumed separation efficiency (typically 98−99%). 39 2.1.1. Biogas Treatment.…”

“…In this work, a custom pressure swing adsorber (PSA) MATLAB model was developed and connected with the Aspen Plus V12 (see Figure c) using COM technology (i.e., a toolbox that enables the integration of interfaces between MATLAB and Aspen Plus). This is essentially part of the model to simulate H 2 purification more accurately rather than the conventional method of relying on an assumed separation efficiency (typically 98–99%) …”

“… Instead of assuming the separation efficiency of PSA, this work attempted to estimate the separation efficiency of the PSA system using mathematical programming via MATLAB R2019b. As mentioned earlier, Aspen Plus and MATLAB were interconnected through Microsoft Excel (see Figure c) . The MATLAB codes were written with considerations of the Languir–Freundlich isotherm parameter, loading ratio correlation (LRC) model, and linear driving force (LDF) model coefficients (see detailed information in Supporting Information Section S-2).…”