Hydrogen and dry ice production through phase equilibrium separation and methane reforming

A clean hydrogen (99.9999%) and dry ice production process is proposed, which is based on phase equilibrium (PE) separation and methane reforming. Heat and power integration studies are carried out for the proposed process, by formulating and solving the minimum hot/cold/electric utility cost problem for the associated heat exchange network. The optimum operating cost of the proposed process is shown to be lower than the corresponding cost of the conventional PSA (pressure swing adsorption) based process, if the produced dry ice is sold for as low as 2 cents kg-dry-ice−1 or if an equivalent CO2 sequestration credit is conceded.