H2 From Methane (Natural Gas)
If hydrogen is produced from natural gas with an added carbon capture [1] and storage step, the end result is called blue hydrogen. This is a proven process (see below) and there are even certifications for it.
Saudi Basic Industries Corp. subsidiary SUBIC Agri-Nutrients Co. has announced that it has received the first independent certification for the production of blue hydrogen and ammonia in the world. The certification for the company’s H2 production was granted by German agency TÜV Rheinland
News
India’s Reliance Industries has made a major statement of intent revealing that it aims to become the world’s top blue hydrogen producer with the repurposing of a $4bn plant for blue hydrogen
Even Liebreich, a skeptic in many ways, admits blue hydrogen is doable: "We have to learn to love blue hydrogen — and make sure it's as clean as possible"
Natural gas contains methane (CH4) that can be used to produce hydrogen with thermal processes, such as steam-methane reformation and partial oxidation.
Steam-Methane Reforming
Most hydrogen produced today in the United States is made via steam-methane reforming, a mature production process in which high-temperature steam (700°C–1,000°C) is used to produce hydrogen from a methane source, such as natural gas. In steam-methane reforming, methane reacts with steam under 3–25 bar pressure (1 bar = 14.5 psi) in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide. Steam reforming is endothermic—that is, heat must be supplied to the process for the reaction to proceed.
Subsequently, in what is called the "water-gas shift reaction," the carbon monoxide and steam are reacted using a catalyst to produce carbon dioxide and more hydrogen. In a final process step called "pressure-swing adsorption," carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed from the gas stream, leaving essentially pure hydrogen. Steam reforming can also be used to produce hydrogen from other fuels, such as ethanol, propane, or even gasoline.
Steam-methane reforming reaction
CH4 + H2O (+ heat) → CO + 3H2
Water-gas shift reaction
CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 (+ small amount of heat)
Partial Oxidation
In partial oxidation, the methane and other hydrocarbons in natural gas react with a limited amount of oxygen (typically from air) that is not enough to completely oxidize the hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. With less than the stoichiometric amount of oxygen available, the reaction products contain primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide (and nitrogen, if the reaction is carried out with air rather than pure oxygen), and a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide and other compounds. Subsequently, in a water-gas shift reaction, the carbon monoxide reacts with water to form carbon dioxide and more hydrogen.
Partial oxidation is an exothermic process—it gives off heat. The process is, typically, much faster than steam reforming and requires a smaller reactor vessel. As can be seen in chemical reactions of partial oxidation, this process initially produces less hydrogen per unit of the input fuel than is obtained by steam reforming of the same fuel.
Methane Prolysis by C-Zero
Reference
[1] Carbon Capture