Abstract: Based on the processing parameters of industrial hydrogen production from methanol, a process model of hydrogen production from methanol steam reforming was established by using Aspen Plus software. The reaction thermodynamics of methanol steam reforming was discussed, and the effects of various parameters on energy consumption, material consumption, hydrogen cost, and CO₂ emission intensity in the hydrogen production process were analyzed. The results showed that the conversion of methanol increased with the increase of reaction temperature, but the CO selectivity increased and the hydrogen yield decreased. Under the optimum conditions of a temperature of 240 ℃,a pressure of 1.5 MPa, a molar ratio of water to alcohol of 1.8, and a PSA unit H₂ yield of 90%, the methanol consumption, comprehensive energy consumption, CO₂ emission intensity and hydrogen cost of the process were 5.96 kg/kg, 1 185.98 kgOE/t(1kgEO=41.8MJ), 10.45 kg/kg and 17.46 Yuan/kg, respectively. Higher reaction pressure and PSA unit H₂ yield, lower molar ratio of water to alcohol and reaction temperature were beneficial to energy saving and CO₂ emission reduction in the process of methanol hydrogen production. The order of influence on hydrogen production by steam reforming of methanol decreases as follows: H2 yield of PSA unit > molar ratio of water to alcohol > the reaction pressure > the reaction temperature.

Key words: hydrogen, methanol to hydrogen, steam reforming, energy consumption, CO₂ emission intensity