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What is the best method for hydrogen management in the refinery?
can you provide a brief description of this method, an example of a
refinery using and what they've gained from it.
 
Answers
08/08/2013 A: Cesar Marcano, Pequiven , cesarmarcano73@gmail.com
Some refineries uses reverse osmosis for hydrogen recovery with more yields than PSA, however the pressure range is high > 40 bars , other option is cryogenic cold box . I have seen somre refineries than importe the H2 from existing closed ammonia or methanol plants

11/08/2010 A: Balasubramanian Iyer, Nexen CNOOC Limited, balasubramanian.n@aol.in
Hydrogen Management is one of the most Complex and must management in present day refineries.
1. We have to analyse the Hydrogen sources in our refinery.
2. If you have secondary treating Units like Catalytic Reforming Unit, Hydro Cracking Unit, Diesel Hydro Treating Unit then the Purge gas/Off Gas from these units contains Hydrogen of much higher Purity may be around 90% which can be utilised rather putting it in Fuel Gas.
PSA is the best Equipment where these off gases can be taken along with the Synthesis gases to get very high Pure Hydrogen Product as required by the downstream units.
If PSA adsorbents are not designed for these gases then the off gases from above said unit can be taken into the processing units in amounts that maintain the purity of hydrogen as mentioned by the process licensor. But Before taking Catalytic Reforming Hydrogen Gas it is better to Send it through a Chlorine Guard. As chances of Chloride present in excess are possible due to Oxy Chlorination of the Catalytic Reforming Unit catalyst.
Thus these are the methods available for maximising the hydrogen utilisation which leads to better Management of Hydrogen in refineries.