Membrane Water Gas Shift Reactor Design: Applied to 10 Mtpd Modular Ammonia Plant

Applied to 10 MTPD Modular Ammonia Plant.

By Richard B. Strait

Extensive research is being performed to develop membrane reactors for hydrogen production. Much of the research is focused on the Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) reaction and to a lesser extent the Water Gas Shift (WGS) reaction.

In parallel we have been designing a 10 metric ton per day (MTPD) modular ammonia plant which can be transported to sight as cargo and set up to operate using local feedstock to produce fertilizer for local consumption.

If a low cost reliable membrane SMR or WGS or even Ammonia Converter were available they would allow for smaller equipment that did more making the ammonia process more cost effective and suitable for compact, small modular plants.

This paper focuses on one of these membrane reactors, the WGS. The basic design will be presented and the positive aspects of the design along with the challenges as they apply to a modular Ammonia Manufacturing Box (AMB) producing 10 MTPD next to the farmer’s field.

The mechanical design is discussed including:

• Membrane materials selection, cost and reliability
• Construction, maintenance, turnaround and emergency operation.

The process design is discussed including:

• WGS Reactor and catalyst performance
• Hydrogen separation performance
• Reactor temperature control for peak performance

1. B. Strait

Adjunct Professor Rice University = RBS1@rice.edu

Ammonia Consultant = Richard.Strait.Syngas@gmail.com

November 6, 2019