Given the large natural gas (NG) reserves of the Intermountain West (I-WEST) region in the USA, it can emerge as a leader in hydrogen (H
2) production. Currently, H
2 production via steam methane reforming (SMR) of NG releases carbon dioxide (CO
[...] Read more.
Given the large natural gas (NG) reserves of the Intermountain West (I-WEST) region in the USA, it can emerge as a leader in hydrogen (H
2) production. Currently, H
2 production via steam methane reforming (SMR) of NG releases carbon dioxide (CO
2) and the natural gas infrastructure has fugitive NG and H
2 losses during production, conversion and transportation. Integrated carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is a promising approach for producing hydrogen and CO
2 from the SMR process for industrial uses including power, chemicals and fuels. However, the NG losses and regional water availability can be limiting factors for H
2 production. H
2 production assessments are often made at the global scale and neglect regional factors such as abundant gas and limited water in the I-WEST. We demonstrate that a regional SMR process unit sitting near NG wells offers opportunities to significantly reduce fugitive NG losses. We show that regional H
2 production by SMR has a lower emissions profile than widespread natural gas combustion in the I-WEST and reduces the H
2 production cost as well. Replacing the I-WEST transportation sector with H
2 fuel cell vehicles and using 100% H
2-powered electricity can provide substantial reductions in water consumption and fuel costs. This is better than blending H
2 with NG which is more expensive. The captured CO
2 can be effectively used for enhanced oil recovery in I-WEST. Finally, the potential of utilizing produced, brackish and treated impaired water sources is assessed to meet the water needs for H
2 production in the I-WEST.
Full article