Patent Publication Number: US-2023163335-A1

Title: Integrated production of hydrogen, electricity, and heat

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A steadily increasing amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the atmosphere has intensified environmental challenges such as climate change and ocean acidification around the world. CO2 alone accounts for over 75% of all greenhouse gas emissions. In order to slow down the potential negative impact of CO2 on the environment scientific studies are focusing on capturing, converting and sequestering CO2 from sectors that account for most of the emissions such as transport and power generation. 
     Electrification of transport sector is happening at rapid pace with emergence of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles, which allows elimination of point sources of emissions such as passenger and heavy-duty vehicles. Challenges remain specifically in meeting infrastructure requirements for supplying hydrogen and electricity for these new applications. An efficient global hydrocarbon distribution infrastructure already exists in many parts of the world and this invention allows the economic utilization of this infrastructure in addressing new market demands for energy while the hydrogen and electricity infrastructure is established. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment described herein provides a method for coproduction of hydrogen, electrical power, and heat energy. The method includes desulfurizing a feed stream to form a desulfurized feed stream, reforming the desulfurized feed stream to form a methane rich gas, and providing the methane rich gas to a membrane separator. A hydrogen stream is produced in a permeate from the membrane separator. A retentate stream from the membrane separator is provided to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Electrical power is produced in the SOFC from the retentate stream. 
     Another embodiment described herein provides a trigeneration facility. The trigeneration facility includes a desulfurization unit to remove sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed stream forming a desulfurized feed stream. A pre-reformer is included to convert the desulfurized feed stream to a methane rich gas. A membrane separator is included to remove at least a portion of hydrogen from the methane rich gas in a permeate. A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is included to generate electrical power from a retentate from the membrane separator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic drawing of a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic drawing of a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator integrated with a water-gas shift reactor. 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a process for using a hydrocarbon feed stream to produce hydrogen, electricity, and heat in a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator. 
         FIG.  4    is a flowchart of a process for using a hydrocarbon feed stream to produce hydrogen, electricity, and heat in a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator integrated with a water-gas shift reactor. 
         FIG.  5    is a simplified process model of a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator. 
         FIG.  6    is a simplified process model of a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator integrated with a water-gas shift reactor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The systems described herein address technical, system and infrastructure challenges faced by transport industry that aspires to achieve enhanced efficiency and sustainability. Examples described herein provide a trigeneration facility that includes a desulfurization unit, a pre-reformer, a membrane separator, and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). In the desulfurization unit, sulfur and other impurities are removed from a hydrocarbon feed stream generally having 12 carbon atoms or fewer, for example, with a boiling point of less than about 200° C. The resulting desulfurized stream is treated in a pre-reformer to generate a methane rich gas stream that contains hydrogen. 
     The reformate from the pre-reformer flows through a membrane separator which removes hydrogen from the reformate. The hydrogen may be used as a zero carbon product for transportation, power generation, and other uses, such as in a chemical plant. A portion of the hydrogen may be used in the desulfurization unit, for example, for hydrodesulfurization. After the removal of at least a portion of the hydrogen the remaining reformate is fed to the SOFC for the generation of electrical power. Heat energy generated in the SOFC may be used in other processes, such as steam generation and the like. At least a portion of the heat energy may be used to heat the remaining reformate stream to the operating temperature of the SOFC prior to introducing it to the SOFC. A waste stream from the SOFC, including CO2, can be purified for use in CO2 conversion processes or sequestration. 
     In the facility, the hydrocarbon feed stream is directly processed to generate electrical power, hydrogen, and heat. In addition to power, these technologies can be used to produce synthetic gases and potentially hydrogen. When targeting low carbon footprint operations, the CO 2  in the waste stream is captured, used, or stored. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic drawing of a trigeneration facility  100  that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator  102 . The trigeneration facility  100  has a hydrocarbon feed  104  that can include any number of light hydrocarbons. In various embodiments, the hydrocarbon feed  104  incudes natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (city gas), or naphtha with a boiling point range up to 200 degree Celsius. 
     In the embodiments of  FIG.  1   , a desulfurization unit  106  removes sulfur and other impurities, for example, in a hydrodesulfurization or hydrodemetallization process. In some embodiments, the desulfurization is performed by adsorbents at ambient temperature. These embodiments may provide simpler operation and maintenance when the amount of sulfur in the gas is relatively low, e.g., less than about 1%, less than about 0.5%, less than about 1500 ppm, less than about 500 ppm, or lower. 
     In embodiments using a desulfurization catalyst, a hydrogen stream may be provided to the desulfurization unit  106 . In the desulfurization unit  106 , contaminants such as metals, sulfur, and nitrogen can be removed by passing the hydrocarbon feed  104  through a series of layered catalysts that perform the catalytic functions of one or more of demetallization, desulfurization, and denitrogenation. In some embodiments, the sequence of catalysts to perform hydrodemetallization (HDM) and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) can include a hydrodemetallization catalyst, an intermediate catalyst, a hydrodesulfurization catalyst, and a final catalyst. 
     An intermediate catalyst can be used to perform a transition between the hydrodemetallization and hydrodesulfurization functions. The intermediate catalyst can have intermediate metal loadings and pore size distribution. The catalyst in the desulfurization unit  106  can be an alumina based support in the form of extrudates, at least one catalytic metal from group VI (for instance, molybdenum, tungsten, or both), or at least one catalytic metals from group VIII (for instance, nickel, cobalt, or both), or a combination of any two or more of them. The catalyst can contain at least one dopant, such as one or more of boron, phosphorous, halogens, and silicon. The intermediate catalyst can have a surface area of between about 140 m 2 /g and about 200 m 2 /g, a pore volume of at least about 0.6 cm 3 /g, and mesoporous pores sized between about 12 nm and about 50 nm. 
     The catalyst to perform the desulfurization can include gamma alumina based support materials with a surface area towards the higher end of the HDM range, such as between about 180 m 2 /g and about 240 m 2 /g. The higher surface for the HDS catalyst results in relatively smaller pore volume, such as a pore volume of less than about 1 cm 3 /g. The catalyst contains at least one element from group VI, such as molybdenum, and at least one element from group VIII, such as nickel. The catalyst also contains at least one dopant, such as one or more of boron, phosphorous, silicon, and halogens. In some examples, cobalt (Co) can be used to provide relatively higher levels of desulfurization. The metals loading for the active phase is higher as the desired activity is higher, such that the molar ratio of Ni:(Ni+Mo) is between about 0.1 and about 0.3 and the molar ratio of (Co+Ni):Mo is between about 0.25 and about 0.85. 
     As described herein, the desulfurization unit  106  processes the hydrocarbon feed  104  with hydrogen, for example, from the hydrogen membrane separator  102 . The hydrogen may be added at 0.1 mol. %, 0.5 mol. %, 1 mol. %, 5 mol. %, or higher, as a proportion of the hydrocarbon feed  104 . 
     The desulfurization unit  106  can operate at a temperature between about 300° C. and about 450° C., such as about 300° C., about 350° C., about 400° C., about 450° C., or another temperature. The desulfurization unit  106  can operate at a pressure between about 30 bar and about 180 bar, such as about 30 bar, about 60 bar, about 90 bar, about 120 bar, about 150 bar, about 180 bar, or another pressure. 
     The desulfurized stream  108  from the desulfurization unit  106  has steam  110  added before being reformed in a pre-reformer  112 , for example, with a Ni based catalyst, among others. As used herein, a pre-reformer generally converts a hydrocarbon stream to a methane rich stream containing CH 4 , H 2 , CO, CO 2  and steam. A reformer is generally designated to full conversion of a hydrocarbon stream to a synthesis gas containing mainly H 2 , CO, CO 2 , steam, and a small amount of CH 4 . 
     In the pre-reformer  112 , the hydrocarbons are reacted with the steam  110 . The pre-reformer  112  can operate at a pressure between about 0.01 bar and about 50 bar, such as about 0.01 bar, about 0.1 bar, about 0.5 bar, about 1 bar, about 5 bar, about 10 bar, about 20 bar, about 30 bar, about 40 bar, about 50 bar, or another pressure. The molar ratio of hydrogen to hydrocarbon at the outlet of the pre-reformer  112  can be between about 1:1 and about 10:1, such as about 1:1, about 2:1, about 4:1, about 6:1, about 8:1, about 10:1, or another ratio. The pre-reformer  112  can operate at a temperature between about 300° C. and about 550° C., such as about 300° C., about 400° C., about 450° C., about 500° C., about 550° C., or another temperature. 
     The pre-reformer  112  produces a methane rich gas, or reformate  114 , in which at least almost all of the C 2   +  hydrocarbons have been converted to C 1 . The reformate  114  from the pre-reformer  112  is passed to the hydrogen membrane separator  102 . The hydrogen membrane separator  102  utilizes a hydrogen selective membrane that operates at high temperatures. In some embodiments, the hydrogen membrane separator  102  operates at temperatures that range between about 300° C. and about 550° C. In some embodiments, the hydrogen membrane separator  102  comprises a proton conducting material, which is electrically driven to transport the hydrogen to the permeation side. 
     In various embodiments, the hydrogen selective membrane includes palladium, palladium alloy, carbon based membranes, or zeolite based membranes. The membrane selectively removes hydrogen, in a permeate stream  116 , from the reformate  114 . The selection of the membrane may be based on cost, and other factors, such as ease of manufacturing, lifespan, and hydrogen flux. 
     The hydrogen is further treated, for example, if needed to reach a purity specification for fuel cell applications, such as in vehicles. According to ISO FDIS 1467-2, hydrogen purity is generally, at least, 99.97%. For example, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system (not shown) may be included in the trigeneration facility  100  for the purification of hydrogen. In these embodiments, the permeate stream  116  is routed to the PSA system. The PSA system may include two columns filled with a zeolite absorbent, one active column and one regenerating column. The permeate stream  116  is flowed through the active column, which absorbs impurities from the hydrogen flow. In embodiments, the purity of the hydrogen in the permeate stream  116  is greater than about 80 vol. %, greater than about 90 vol. %, greater than about 95 vol. %, or higher. Once impurities start to break through the active column, the flow is switched over to the regenerating column, which then becomes the active column. The previously active column is then regenerated. 
     After purification, the hydrogen is compressed to 400 to 900 bar as needed for dispensing to fuel cell vehicles. The flow of hydrogen in the permeate stream  116  can be increased through controlling the permeate side pressure or the membrane surface area. As the pressure of  114  is increased, hydrogen flux through the membrane will increase resulting in a higher flow of the permeate stream  116 . Alternatively, a higher pressure of reformate  114  coupled with a higher surface area, would also result in a higher flow of the permeate stream  116 . 
     The retentate stream  118  from the membrane separator is routed to an anode side of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)  124 . In some embodiments, a heat exchanger  120  is used to adjust the temperature of the retentate stream  118  forming a temperature-controlled stream  122 . The temperature of the temperature-controlled stream  122  may be increased to minimize the temperature gradient between the anode and cathode sides, as well as avoiding thermal shock (since the SOFC operates at a much higher temperature). Air, or another oxidizer, is fed to the cathode side of the SOFC  124  and the electrochemical reaction produces electricity  126 . Hydrocarbons in the retentate  118  may be further reformed in the SOFC  124  increasing the amount of synthesis gas in the anode exhaust  128 . The anode exhaust  128  can be recycled back to the membrane reactor or used to produce heat  130  for preheating the feed streams, such as by flowing through the heat exchanger  120  to increase the temperature of the reformate  118  and form the temperature-controlled stream  122 . As the generation of electricity in the SOFC  124  is exothermic, other techniques can be used to remove heat  130  from the SOFC  124 . For example, more air in passed through the cathode side of the SOFC  124 , or the SOFC  124  may be enclosed in a heat exchanger, or include cooling coils within the SOFC  124  structure, among other techniques. Accordingly, the trigeneration facility  100  allows for the optimization of the production of hydrogen in the permeate stream  116 , electricity  126 , and heat  130   
       FIG.  2    is a schematic drawing of a trigeneration facility  200  that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator with an integrated water-gas shift reactor. Similar numbered items are as described with respect to  FIG.  1   . Further, the trigeneration facility  200  of  FIG.  2    may also include a PSA system for the purification of hydrogen in the permeate  116 . 
     In this example, the reformate  114  is passed to a membrane reactor  202  in which a water-gas shift catalyst is packed along with a high temperature membrane. In some embodiments, the water-gas shift catalyst may be a high temperature iron-oxide based or intermediate-low temperature copper oxide based catalysts. The presence of the water-gas shift catalyst allows the conversion of carbon monoxide in the reformate  114  to hydrogen and CO2. 
       FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a method  300  for using a hydrocarbon feed stream to produce hydrogen, electricity, and heat in a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator. The method  300  begins at block  302 , with the desulfurization of the hydrocarbon feed stream. As described herein, this may be performed using a desulfurization catalyst or, if the amount of sulfur is low, using adsorbents. In various embodiments, the adsorbents include activated carbon, CuO/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 , Ag-zeolite, or Ag/CeO 2 , among others. The adsorbents do not need to be operated at high temperatures, but may be operated at ambient temperatures, such as between about 5° C. and about 50° C. Selection of the adsorbents is dependent on the sulfur compounds and type of hydrocarbon feedstock. For example, different adsorbents may be used for H 2 S, COS, heteroatom hydrocarbons that contain sulfur, and the like. The low temperature techniques are economical for small scale and simplified maintenance, e.g. replacing a cartridge of sulfur adsorbents in a passenger vehicle. 
     At block  304 , the desulfurized feed stream is reformed, for example, in a pre-reformer. Steam is added to the desulfurized feed stream upstream of the pre-reformer. 
     At block  306 , hydrogen is separated from the reformate in a membrane separator as a permeate stream. As described herein, the membrane separator may be run at an elevated temperature. 
     At block  308 , a retentate stream from the membrane separator is provided to the anode of an SOFC. In the SOFC, electricity is generated from the retentate stream and an oxidizer stream provided to the cathode. A portion of the anode exhaust stream may be recycled back to be blended with the desulfurized feed stream, at block  304 , supplying the required steam to the pre-reformer or may be processed for sequestration of carbon dioxide or may be processed to recover the remaining fuel value for heat. 
     At block  310 , the permeate stream may be processed to purify the hydrogen, for example for use in transportation applications. The purification may be performed in a pressure swing adsorption, among others. 
     At block  312 , process heat from the SOFC is provided to other process units, such as a heat exchanger used to increase the temperature of the retentate stream prior to providing the retentate stream to the anode of the SOFC. In other embodiments, the process heat is used to generate steam for chemical plant. 
       FIG.  4    is a flowchart of a method  400  for using a feed stream to produce hydrogen, electricity, and heat in a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator with an integrated water-gas shift reactor. Like numbered items are as described with respect to  FIG.  3   . In this method  400 , at block  402 , a water-gas shift reaction is performed on the reformate prior to or during the separation of the hydrogen. In some embodiments, a water-gas shift catalyst is included in the membrane separator to increase the yield of hydrogen and CO 2 . 
     EXAMPLES 
     Process Simulations 
     Process models were built using Aspen plus (version 10) for the embodiments described with respect to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , and all the components of the process are modeled to determine the mass and energy flows. These process models contain detailed routing of various streams that can satisfy the pre-heating or cooling of process streams by matching the available heat contents of hot streams with pre-heating heat load requirements of components of the process. They also represent how the hydrogen selective membrane in the hydrogen membrane separators  102  and  202  and the SOFC  124  can be represented on Aspen plus modeling platform as these embodiments are not standard, “plug-and-play” modeling modules in Aspen plus library. 
       FIG.  5    is a simplified process model  500  of a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator. The results of the modeling for S/C=3 are shown in Tables 1 to 3. The results of the modeling for S/C=4 are shown in Tables 4 to 6. S/C is a steam to carbon ratio and defined as the molar flowrate of steam over the molar flowrate of hydrocarbon feed times its carbon number; for example for a given S/C=3, the molar flowrate of steam divided by the sum of the molar flowrate propane times 3 and the molar flowrate of butane times 4 equals 3. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Pre-reformer operation at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 PRE-IN 
                 MEMBR-IN 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 563.06 
                 494.23 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  10.00 
                  10.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 137.75 
                 109.58 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                   0.64 
                  24.77 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                   0.00 
                   0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                   0.00 
                   0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                   0.00 
                  31.54 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                   0.00 
                  13.80 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                   0.00 
                   0.58 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                   6.56 
                   0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                   6.56 
                   0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     91%   
                     61%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                      0%   
                     14%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                      0%   
                     17%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      0%   
                      8%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      4%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      4%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Membrane operation at S/C of 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Units 
                 MEMBR-IN 
                 RETENTAT 
                 DEPRERET 
                 H2PERM 
                 H2PERM2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Temperature 
                 ° C. 
                 494.23 
                 494.23 
                 494.23 
                 494.23 
                 494.23 
               
               
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                 10.00 
                 10.00 
                 1.05 
                 10.00 
                 1.02 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 109.58 
                 109.58 
                 109.58 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                 24.77 
                 4.95 
                 4.95 
                 19.82 
                 19.82 
               
               
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                 31.54 
                 31.54 
                 31.54 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                 13.80 
                 13.80 
                 13.80 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                 0.58 
                 0.58 
                 0.58 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                   
                 61% 
                 68% 
                 68% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 H2 
                   
                 14% 
                  3% 
                  3% 
                 100% 
                 100% 
               
               
                 O2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 N2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 CH4 
                   
                 17% 
                 20% 
                 20% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 CO2 
                   
                  8% 
                  9% 
                  9% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 CO 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 BUTANE 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Solid Oxide Fuel Cell operation at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 ANO-IN 
                 ANO-OUT 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 ° C. 
                 421.64 
                 750.00 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  1.05 
                  1.05 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 109.58 
                 161.15 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  4.95 
                  16.46 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  31.54 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  13.80 
                  42.63 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.58 
                  3.29 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     68%   
                     72%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                      3%   
                      7%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                     20%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      9%   
                     19%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      1%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Pre-reformer operation at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 PRE-IN 
                 MEMBR-IN 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 ° C. 
                 579.50 
                 492.69 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  10.00 
                  10.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 183.67 
                 152.29 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.64 
                  31.18 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  29.94 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  15.40 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.58 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  6.56 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  6.56 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     93%   
                     66%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                      0%   
                     14%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                      0%   
                     13%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      0%   
                      7%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      3%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      3%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Membrane operation at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Units 
                 MEMBR-IN 
                 RETENTAT 
                 DEPRERET 
                 H2PERM 
                 H2PERM2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Temperature 
                 ° C. 
                 492.69 
                 492.69 
                 492.69 
                 492.69 
                 492.69 
               
               
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                 10.00 
                 10.00 
                 1.05 
                 10.00 
                 1.02 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 152.29 
                 152.29 
                 152.29 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                 31.18 
                 6.24 
                 6.24 
                 24.94 
                 24.94 
               
               
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                 29.94 
                 29.94 
                 29.94 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                 15.40 
                 15.40 
                 15.40 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                 0.58 
                 0.58 
                 0.58 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                   
                 66% 
                 74% 
                 74% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 H2 
                   
                 14% 
                  3% 
                  3% 
                 100% 
                 100% 
               
               
                 O2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 N2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 CH4 
                   
                 13% 
                 15% 
                 15% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 CO2 
                   
                  7% 
                  8% 
                  8% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 CO 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 BUTANE 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Solid Oxide Fuel Cell operation at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 ANO-IN 
                 ANO-OUT 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 434.20 
                 750.00 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  1.05 
                  1.05 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 152.29 
                 202.07 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  6.24 
                  16.34 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  29.94 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  15.40 
                  43.27 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.58 
                  2.65 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     74%   
                     76%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                      3%   
                      6%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                     15%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      8%   
                     16%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      1%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG.  6    is a simplified process model of a trigeneration facility that incorporates a hydrogen membrane separator with an integrated water gas shift reactor. In the simulations based on the trigeneration facility of  FIG.  6   , the pre-reformer is run at a temperature of 493° C. and a pressure of 10 bar. The results of the modeling of the system for S/C=3 with a water-gas shift reaction present before the hydrogen separation membrane are shown in Tables 7 to 12. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Products after pre-reformer (without H2O) at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 PRO- 
                 BU- 
               
               
                 H2 
                 O2 
                 N2 
                 CH4 
                 CO2 
                 CO 
                 PANE 
                 TANE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 35.04% 
                 0.00% 
                 0.00% 
                 44.62% 
                 19.52% 
                 0.81% 
                 0.00% 
                 0.00% 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of pre-reformer at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 PRE-IN 
                 AFT-PRE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 563.06 
                 494.23 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  10.00 
                  10.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 137.75 
                 109.58 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.64 
                  24.77 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  31.54 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  13.80 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.58 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  6.56 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  6.56 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     91%   
                     61%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                      0%   
                     14%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                      0%   
                     17%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      0%   
                      8%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      4%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      4%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of water gas shift unit at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 COOL-PRE 
                 AFT-WGS 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 400.00 
                 402.95 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  10.00 
                  10.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 109.58 
                 109.01 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  24.77 
                  25.33 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  31.54 
                  31.54 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  13.80 
                  14.36 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.58 
                  0.01 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     61%   
                     60%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                     14%   
                     14%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                     17%   
                     17%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      8%   
                      8%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of membrane at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Units 
                 AFT-WGS 
                 RETENTAT 
                 DEPRERET 
                 H2PERM 
                 H2PERM2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 402.95 
                 402.95 
                 402.95 
                 402.95 
                 402.95 
               
               
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                 10.00 
                 10.00 
                 1.05 
                 10.00 
                 1.02 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 109.01 
                 109.01 
                 109.01 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                 25.33 
                 5.07 
                 5.07 
                 20.27 
                 20.27 
               
               
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                 31.54 
                 31.54 
                 31.54 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                 14.36 
                 14.36 
                 14.36 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                 0.01 
                 0.01 
                 0.01 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                   
                 60% 
                 68% 
                 68% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 H2 
                   
                 14% 
                  3% 
                  3% 
                 100% 
                 100% 
               
               
                 O2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 N2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 CH4 
                   
                 17% 
                 20% 
                 20% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 CO2 
                   
                  8% 
                  9% 
                  9% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 CO 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                 BUTANE 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 11 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of solid oxide fuel cell at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 ANO-IN 
                 ANO-OUT 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 400.00 
                 750.00 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  1.05 
                  1.05 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 109.01 
                 160.77 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  5.07 
                  16.40 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  31.54 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  14.36 
                  42.63 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.01 
                  3.29 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     68%   
                     72%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                      3%   
                      7%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                     20%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      9%   
                     19%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      1%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 12 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Productivity of system at S/C = 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 SOFC 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 H2 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Stack 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SYSTEM 
                 Prod. 
                 ELEC 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 BUTANE 
                 POWER 
                 SOFCV 
                 SOFCEFF 
                 REQPOW 
                 SOFCELC 
                 H2 Prod 
                 EFF 
                 Eff 
                 EFF 
               
               
                 FU* 
                 (MOL/MIN) 
                 (MOL/MIN) 
                 (KW) 
                 (VOLT) 
                 (%) 
                 (KW) 
                 (KW) 
                 (KG/DAY) 
                 (%) 
                 (%) 
                 (%) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0.85 
                 6.56 
                 6.56 
                 255.40 
                 0.71 
                 65.00 
                 23.14 
                 224.60 
                 56.98 
                 57.09 
                 28.12 
                 48.44 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *FU is fuel utilization. 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The results of the modeling of the system for S/C=4 with a water-gas shift reaction present before the hydrogen separation membrane are shown in Tables 13 to 18. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 13 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Products after pre-reformer (without H2O) at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 PRO- 
                 BU- 
               
               
                 H2 
                 O2 
                 N2 
                 CH4 
                 CO2 
                 CO 
                 PANE 
                 TANE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 40.44% 
                 0.00% 
                 0.00% 
                 38.84% 
                 19.98% 
                 0.75% 
                 0.00% 
                 0.00% 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 14 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of pre-reformer at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 PRE-IN 
                 AFT-PRE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 579.50 
                 492.69 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  10.00 
                  10.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 183.67 
                 152.29 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.64 
                  31.18 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  29.94 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  15.40 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.58 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  6.56 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  6.56 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     93%   
                     66%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                      0%   
                     14%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                      0%   
                     13%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      0%   
                      7%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      3%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      3%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of water gas shift unit at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 COOL-PRE 
                 AFT-WGS 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 400.00 
                 402.37 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  10.00 
                  10.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 152.29 
                 151.73 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  31.18 
                  31.74 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  29.94 
                  29.94 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  15.40 
                  15.97 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.58 
                  0.01 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                     66%   
                     66%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                     14%   
                     14%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                     13%   
                     13%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                      7%   
                      7%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                      0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 16 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of membrane at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Units 
                 AFT-WGS 
                 RETENTAT 
                 DEPRERET 
                 H2PERM 
                 H2PERM2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 402.37 
                 402.37 
                 402.37 
                 402.37 
                 402.37 
               
               
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                 10.00 
                 10.00 
                 1.05 
                 10.00 
                 1.02 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 151.73 
                 151.73 
                 151.73 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                 31.74 
                 6.35 
                 6.35 
                 25.39 
                 25.39 
               
               
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                 29.94 
                 29.94 
                 29.94 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                 15.97 
                 15.97 
                 15.97 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                 0.01 
                 0.01 
                 0.01 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WATER 
                   
                 66% 
                 74% 
                 74% 
                   0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 H2 
                   
                 14% 
                  3% 
                  3% 
                 100% 
                 100% 
               
               
                 O2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 N2 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 CH4 
                   
                 13% 
                 15% 
                 15% 
                   0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 CO2 
                   
                  7% 
                  8% 
                  8% 
                   0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 CO 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                 PROPANE 
                   
                  0% 
                  0% 
                  0% 
                   0% 
                   0% 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 17 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Operation of solid oxide fuel cell at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Units 
                 ANO-IN 
                 ANO-OUT 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 C. 
                 400.00 
                 750.00 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 bar 
                  1.05 
                  1.05 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Flows 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                 mol/min 
                 151.73 
                 201.68 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 mol/min 
                  6.35 
                  16.28 
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                 mol/min 
                  29.94 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                 mol/min 
                  15.97 
                  43.28 
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                 mol/min 
                  0.01 
                  2.64 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                 mol/min 
                  0.00 
                  0.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Mole Fractions 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 WATER 
                   
                      74%   
                     76%   
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                   
                       3%   
                      6%   
               
               
                   
                 O2 
                   
                       0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 N2 
                   
                       0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CH4 
                   
                      15%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 CO2 
                   
                       8%   
                     16%   
               
               
                   
                 CO 
                   
                       0%   
                      1%   
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                   
                       0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                 BUTANE 
                   
                       0%   
                      0%   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 18 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Productivity of system at S/C = 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 SOFC 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 H2 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Stack 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Prod 
                 ELEC 
               
               
                   
                 PROPANE 
                 BUTANE 
                 POWER 
                 SOFC V 
                 SOFCEFF 
                 REQPOW 
                 SOFCELC 
                 H2 Prod 
                 SYSTEM 
                 Eff 
                 EFF 
               
               
                 FU* 
                 (MOL/MIN) 
                 (MOL/MIN) 
                 (KW) 
                 (VOLT) 
                 (%) 
                 (KW) 
                 (KW) 
                 (KG/DAY) 
                 EFF (%) 
                 (%) 
                 (%) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0.85 
                 6.56 
                 6.56 
                 247.04 
                 0.72 
                 65.00 
                 27.06 
                 212.57 
                 71.85 
                 59.32 
                 34.23 
                 48.39 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *FU is the fuel utilization. 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Exemplary Embodiments 
     An embodiment described herein provides a method for coproduction of hydrogen, electrical power, and heat energy. The method includes desulfurizing a feed stream to form a desulfurized feed stream, reforming the desulfurized feed stream to form a methane rich gas, and providing the methane rich gas to a membrane separator. A hydrogen stream is produced in a permeate from the membrane separator. A retentate stream from the membrane separator is provided to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Electrical power is produced in the SOFC from the retentate stream. 
     In an aspect, the method includes blending hydrogen with the feed stream prior to desulfurizing the feed stream. In an aspect, a portion of the hydrogen stream is mixed with the feed stream prior to desulfurizing the feed stream. In an aspect, the method includes desulfurizing the feed stream in an adsorption unit. 
     In an aspect, the method includes compressing the hydrogen stream for use as a product. In an aspect, the method includes heating the retentate stream to an operating temperature for the SOFC prior to providing the retentate stream to the SOFC. 
     In an aspect, the method includes utilizing heat produced in the SOFC. In an aspect, the method includes heating the retentate stream with heat produced in the SOFC. In an aspect, the method includes generating steam with the heat produced in the SOFC. 
     Another embodiment described herein provides a trigeneration facility. The trigeneration facility includes a desulfurization unit to remove sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed stream forming a desulfurized feed stream. A pre-reformer is included to convert the desulfurized feed stream to a methane rich gas. A membrane separator is included to remove at least a portion of hydrogen from the methane rich gas in a permeate. A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is included to generate electrical power from a retentate from the membrane separator. 
     In an aspect, the trigeneration facility includes a heat exchanger to utilize heat energy from the SOFC. In an aspect, the trigeneration facility includes a heat exchanger to heat the retentate to an operating temperature of the SOFC. 
     In an aspect, the pre-reformer includes a steam reformer including a nickel catalyst. In an aspect, the pre-reformer operates at a temperature between about 300° C. and about 550° C. in an aspect, the steam reformer operates at a pressure of between about 2 bar and about 30 bar. 
     In an aspect, the trigeneration facility includes a water-gas shift catalyst to increase the amount of hydrogen in the methane rich gas. In an aspect, the water-gas shift catalyst includes iron oxides or copper oxides. 
     In an aspect, the membrane separator is a high-temperature hydrogen selective membrane. In an aspect, the membrane separator includes palladium, or a palladium alloy, or both. In an aspect, the membrane separator includes a carbon-based membrane, or a zeolite based membrane, or both. In an aspect, the membrane separator includes an integrated water-gas shift catalyst. In an aspect, the membrane separator includes a proton conducting material, which is be electrically driven to transport the hydrogen to the permeation side. 
     In an aspect, the feed stream includes propane, or butane, or both. In an aspect, the feed stream includes liquefied natural gas. In an aspect, the feed stream includes a raw natural gas. 
     Other implementations are also within the scope of the following claims.