Steam Methane Reforming
One of the greatest challenges in today’s industries is an increased demand for hydrogen. Due to its ever-increasing industrial relevance, there is a need for efficient methods of hydrogen production, which has traditionally been done at a high temperature.
Steam methane reforming is a chemical process by which methane is converted to hydrogen. It involves the reaction between natural gas, which contains methane and steam. It is done at a temperature of 700-1000°C and under a pressure of 3-25 bar.
The products of this chemical process are initially hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide is further reacted with steam in a water-gas shift reaction to produce more hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Impurities are then removed from the system using pressure-swing adsorption. As a result, pure hydrogen is isolated and extracted.
This process is mediated by reformer tubes – also known as catalyst tubes used in steam reformer furnaces known as steam methane reformers.
Importance of Steam Methane Reforming
Steam methane reforming is currently the most used method of producing hydrogen. It is the preferred method for refineries, metal processing, heating furnaces, power generation, heat exchangers and several others. Therefore, the method that produces the greatest amount of hydrogen is the most attractive. Many industries prefer the steam methane reforming method because it produces a high amount of hydrogen, in addition to the hydrogen being very pure.
Cost-Effectiveness
Hydrogen production is a capital-intensive project. The steam methane reforming method is a system that makes the most of the resources given. The stepwise set of reactions occurs almost simultaneously within the system. This gives the highest pure hydrogen yield with little wastage along the way.
Regardless of the industry, businesses characteristically appreciate capital cost-saving strategies or systems. As a result, steam methane reforming accounts for most of the hydrogen produced worldwide.
Temp-Pro Thermocouples Increase the Effectiveness of Steam Methane Reformers
The performance of steam methane reforming SMR can be improved through the use of thermocouples. A thermocouple is a device that is used to measure temperature. This device is integral to the steam methane reforming process. Without careful monitoring of the amount of heat being produced, the process cannot be successfully managed.
When it comes to producing thermocouples for steam methane reformers, no one does it better than Temp-Pro. For over fifty years, we have prided ourselves on producing quality thermal sensors for our teeming clients.
The thermocouples we offer for steam methane reformers are tubeskin thermocouples and Weld Pad thermocouples.
Tubeskin thermocouples are attached to the tubes on the surface of the SMR tubes fuel cell. They measure the temperature of the tubes and are available in:
- S-loop
- Single Coil
- Multiple Coil
- Spiral Loop
Weld Pad thermocouples, on the other hand, are attached to the curvature of the SMR tubes and take their readings from that point.
Our team of experts can customize the temperature measuring points to the application using scientific properties to optimize the life and accuracy of the thermocouple. Design considerations can help determine measuring points for specific applications such as:
Junction (grounded or ungrounded)
Expansion loop design and location
Thickness of the mineral-insulated cable and flexibility versus durability
Connection head material and location
What To Expect from Temp-Pro Thermocouples
Some features of Weld Pad Thermocouples and tube skin thermocouples are:
- Magnesium Oxide insulated sensors.
- Calibrations – J, K, E, T, R, S, B
- Diameters – 0.040 to 0.500+ inches and larger upon request.
- Sheaths – 304SS through Inc 600 and Hast X for severe environments.
- Circuits – 2, 4 and 6 wire.
- Junctions – grounded, ungrounded and exposed.
- Pad materials – stainless, F11, F22, A182, Inc 600 or 601, or your specifications.
- Pad designs – flat, radius, angle, knife-edge or custom.
- Termination – bare leads, flush transition and connector.
- Sensors are bendable to a radius equaling twice the probe diameter.
- Single, dual or triplex in lengths up to 300+ feet.
- Noble metal sensors are also available.
- Knife-edge and expansion loop thermocouples.
- Calibration services are offered.
Contact Temp-Pro Today for Your Customized Thermal Sensors
Do you need a temperature sensor that is tailor-made for you? No worries: Temp-Pro’s team of skilled and experienced experts has a proven track record of producing the best thermocouples. We are well able to design unique thermal sensors that are specific to your manufacturing needs.
Contact us today, and let’s get started on your thermocouple project.
Neal Messier is a dedicated sales manager at Temp-Pro. With 17+ years of experience working with instrumentation in diverse industrial and process industries particularly power generation, he is passionate about the temperature sensor industry and uses his strong technical background and comprehensive industry knowledge to fulfill client’s temperature sensor needs.
Nicole Chotain is a passionate marketing and sales specialist in the temperature sensor industry who finds it incredibly fulfilling to be involved in marketing and selling crucial components used in power generation and renewable energy. She takes great joy in creating remarkable campaigns, forging meaningful connections between Temp-Pro and its customers, and driving the growth of the brand.
