9 Industrial Hydrogen Production Methods

1.Natural Gas-Based Hydrogen Production (Steam Methane Reforming, SMR)

RawMaterials: Natural gas (main component: CH₄), dry gas, naphtha, and other light hydrocarbons.

Reaction Equations:Steam reforming reaction: CH₄ + H₂O → CO + 3H₂(endothermic, 800–900 °C, nickel-based catalyst),Water-gas shift reaction:CO + H₂O → CO₂ + H₂ (exothermic, iron-chromium/copper-zinc catalyst)

Characteristics: The purity of hydrogen reaches 99%–99.999%, with low energy consumption (0.42–0.48 Nm³ natural gas/Nm³ H₂). A supporting desulfurization process (e.g., ZnO desulfurization) is required to prevent catalyst poisoning. This method accounts for 70% of global hydrogen production, but it generates high carbon emissions (gray hydrogen), and needs to be combined with CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology to convert into blue hydrogen.

 2.Methanol-Based Hydrogen Production

Raw Materials: Methanol (), steam.

Reaction Equations:Cracking reaction: CH₃OH → CO + 2H₂(endothermic),Water-gas shift reaction: CO + H₂O → CO₂ + H₂(exothermic)，Overall reaction: CH₃OH + H₂O → CO₂ + 3H₂(220–280 °C, copper-zinc catalyst)Characteristics: The equipment is compact, suitable for small-to-medium-scale production (50–50,000 Nm³/h), with a methanol consumption rate of 0.50–0.60 kg/Nm³ H₂. Compared with water electrolysis, it saves 90% of electricity and reduces costs by 40–50%. The technology developed by Southwest Research Institute of Chemical Industry is mature, and has been adopted by nearly 100 enterprises in China.

3.Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production

Raw Materials: Pure water or alkaline electrolyte (KOH/NaOH).

Reaction Equations:Cathode:4H₂O + 4e⁻ → 2H₂ + 4OH⁻, Anode: 4OH⁻ → O₂ + 2H₂O + 4e⁻,

Overall reaction:2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂ (cell voltage: 1.8–2.0 V)

Characteristics: It is the core pathway for green hydrogen production, with hydrogen purity > 99.9%, but has high energy consumption (4.0–4.5 kWh/Nm³ H₂). Technical routes include: alkaline electrolysis (ALK), which is mature and low-cost; PEM electrolysis, which features high 4.efficiency but high cost; and AEM electrolysis, which represents an emerging development direction.

Hydrogen Production from Coke Oven Gas

Raw Materials: Coke oven gas (by-product of coking).

Reaction Equations:Main components: H₂ (55–60%), CH₄ (23–27%), CO (6–8%),Purification reaction: Hydrogen separation via PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption): H₂（adsorbed）→ H₂（desorbed）

Characteristics: The cost of by-product hydrogen is low (approximately 2.46–2.69 CNY/m³), but deep desulfurization is required due to sulfur content. It is suitable for coking enterprises, with a production capacity of up to 20,000 Nm³/h.

5.Hydrogen Production from Water Gas

Raw Materials: Anthracite or coke, steam.

Reaction Equations:Water gas generation: C + H₂O → CO + H₂ (endothermic, 1000 °C)

Water-gas shift reaction: CO + H₂O → CO₂ + H₂(medium temperature, iron-chromium catalyst)

Characteristics: Raw materials are easily available, but the process is complex (requiring 6-stage cyclic operation) with an efficiency of only 55%. The coal gas contains CO (38.5%) and H₂ (48%), which requires multi-stage purification.

6.Hydrogen Production from Brine Electrolysis (By-product of Chlor-alkali Industry)

Raw Materials: Saturated brine (NaCl solution).

Reaction Equations:Cathode: 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → H₂↑,Anode: 2Cl⁻ → Cl₂↑ + 2e⁻

Overall reaction:2NaCl + 2H₂O → Cl₂↑ + H₂↑ + 2NaOH

Characteristics: Hydrogen is a by-product of caustic soda production, with low purity requiring dechlorination treatment. The ion exchange membrane technology is adopted to prevent the mixing of products.

7.Hydrogen Production from Brewing Industry By-products

Raw Materials: Corn fermentation off-gas(containing acetone, butanol, and H₂).

Reaction Equations:Fermentation reaction:C₆H₁₂O₆ → CH₃COCH₃ + CH₃CH₂CH₂OH + H₂ + CO₂

(biological fermentation)Purification: Hydrogen extraction via PSA or membrane separation

Characteristics: This method realizes the recycling of waste hydrogen, but it is limited by small production scale and high impurity content in the raw gas.

8.Hydrogen Production from Iron and Steam (Obsolete Technology)

Reaction Equation: 3Fe + 4H₂O(g) → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂(> 700 °C, low conversion rate)

Characteristics: Continuous high-temperature steam is required, iron powder consumption is substantial, and the technology is economically unviable for industrial-scale application.

9.Solar-Driven Hydrogen Production

Technical Routes:Photocatalytic water splitting: 2H₂O →（TiO₂ catalyst）→ 2H₂ + O₂(efficiency < 10%),Solar photovoltaic-powered water electrolysis: Solar energy → Electrical energy → Hydrogen production via water electrolysis (efficiency: 15–25%)

Thermochemical cycles:  sulfur-iodine cycle (H₂SO₄ → SO₂ + H₂O + 0.5O₂;2HI → I₂ + H₂ )

Source: Aibang Hydrogen Technology Network (Official WeChat Account)

Disclaimer:The information published on this website is reproduced from cooperative media, institutions, or other websites. The purpose of publishing this article is to disseminate more information, and it does not imply endorsement of its views or confirmation of the authenticity of its content. All information on this website is for reference only and shall not be used as the basis for any transactions or services.If any content on this website is found to be infringing or problematic, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it in a timely manner. Anyone who accesses this website in any way or uses the materials on this website directly or indirectly shall be deemed to have voluntarily accepted the constraints of this website's statement. All copyrights belong to the original authors.