Energetic, GHG, and economic analyses of electrified steam methane reforming using conventional reformer tubes

A concept for electrified Steam Methane Reforming (eSMR) based on reformer tubes is proposed as a pathway for hydrogen decarbonization. The proposed concept applies radiant heating elements to a conventional gas-fired reformer. A thermochemical model and a techno-economic framework are developed to evaluate process performance at various conditions and the economic potential of the proposed concept. A baseline scenario with feedstock and electricity priced respectively at $4/MMBtu and $0.04/kWh, and assuming 2% of fugitive methane emissions and 50 gCO2eq/kWh, results in an LCOH of $1.53/kgH2 and a decarbonization cost of $38/tonCO2. The techno-economic results demonstrate that the proposed eSMR process leads to lower LCOH than mainstream alternatives over a wide range of energy prices. The study shows that reformer tube electrification is both economically viable and technically feasible, and therefore has the potential to decarbonize hydrogen production at a low cost.