Simulation of blue hydrogen production by natural gas in the North Sea

Abstract

Hydrogen is an efficient energy carrier and an important contribution to sustainable energy development. Hydrogen can be produced based on different methods and on different raw materials. Blue hydrogen is hydrogen produced from natural gas via a steam-methane reformer with subsequent carbon capture and storage. The CO2 from the process can be stored in matured oil and gas fields or in an aquifer. This paper studies the potential of producing blue hydrogen from methane from the Troll gas field on the Norwegian continental shelf. The production rate of methane from the Troll field is predicted and based on the calculated methane production the steam-methane reformation process is modelled and simulated. The model includes the required steps to convert natural gas into hydrogen and CO2 and further to catch the CO2. The volume of captured CO2 per m3 of produced hydrogen is calculated. Production of blue hydrogen also includes storage of CO2, and the required storage capacity is calculated. The purpose of this paper was to investigate whether blue hydrogen produced by natural gas from the Troll field is an alternative to reducing CO2 emissions to reach the climate target. The simulation was performed with Aspen HYSYS 12 and the calculation on how much CO2 must be stored and the storage capacity needed were performed manually. The mass of CO2 resulting from the conversion of about 2400 tons natural gas/h to blue hydrogen and CO2 at the Troll field is 5600 tons CO2/hour or 49 megatons CO2/year. The produced hydrogen had a purity of 95%. The predicted storage capacity for CO2 at the Troll field is found to be 136 megatons. A profitability analysis is performed and the results are promissing.