Simultaneous Production of Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide from Steam Reformer Off-Gas by Pressure Swing Adsorption

Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes are used for the production of ultrapure hydrogen from a crude hydrogen stream containing H2O, CO2, CO, CH4, and N2 impurities which is produced by steam reformation of natural gas or naphtha. Two commercial PSA processes designed for this purpose are reviewed and a new commercial PSA process which simultaneously produces ultrapure hydrogen and high purity carbon dioxide products from the crude hydrogen with high recoveries of both components is described. Performance data for the new process are reported.