Performance analysis of a novel SMR process integrated with the oxy-combustion power cycle for clean hydrogen production

The steam methane reforming (SMR) process has been instrumental in industrial hydrogen production, despite its high carbon footprint. The direct capture of CO2 from its flue gas remains a challenge. In this study, we propose a hybrid SMR process integrated with the NET Power Cycle (NPC) to repurpose exhausted CO2 and produce supercritical CO2 directly. To simulate the conventional SMR process, we developed mathematical and machine-learning models to predict hydrogen production. The integration of heat between the SMR and NPC units led to 40 % reduction in natural gas consumption, while the energy required for CO2 capture was reduced by 54 %. The optimization of the SMR-NPC process was conducted using the genetic algorithm (GA), resulting in low direct CO2 emissions of 0.6 kg-CO2/kg-H2 and levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of $3.39/kg-H2. The novel process proposed in this study offers an efficient means to enhance both the economic and environmental performance of industrial hydrogen production.