Hydrogen from coal gasification

The coal-based hydrogen production system is designed for industrial projects requiring continuous, large-volume hydrogen supply. It is particularly suitable for large-scale hydrogen production where coal is an available and economically viable feedstock.

The production process converts coal into synthesis gas through gasification, followed by shift conversion, gas purification, and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) to separate and obtain high-purity hydrogen.

Depending on plant requirements and feedstock characteristics, the gasification section can be configured with different technologies, including:

• Atmospheric-pressure fixed-bed oxygen-enriched continuous gasification

• Atmospheric-pressure pulverized-coal fluidized-bed oxygen-enriched continuous gasification

• Pressurized coal-water slurry gasification

• Pressurized pulverized-coal gasification

• Pressurized moving-bed gasification

Typical Plant Capacity: 5,000–100,000 Nm³/h

Key Technical Characteristics

Large Production Capacity
The system is intended for industrial-scale hydrogen projects and can be configured for hydrogen production capacities from approximately 5,000 to 100,000 Nm³/h.

Competitive Hydrogen Production Cost
When suitable coal resources are available, coal-based hydrogen production can provide a lower hydrogen production cost compared with certain alternative hydrogen production routes.

Higher Initial Investment
The complete production system requires substantial investment in gasification, purification, conversion, PSA, and associated supporting equipment. It is therefore more appropriate for large-scale industrial installations.

Feedstock Requirements

The system can accommodate a range of coal and carbonaceous feedstocks. Applicable materials include:

• Coking coal

• High-ash coal

• Bituminous coal

• Petroleum coke

• Other suitable coal resources

Coal with extremely high inherent moisture content, such as certain types of lignite and peat, is generally unsuitable. Coal with a calorific value below 22,940 kJ/kg and an ash melting point above 1,350°C is also excluded from the specified feedstock range.

Actual feedstock selection should be determined according to the gasification technology, coal properties, plant configuration, and required hydrogen output.

Process Configuration

The typical production route integrates several major process stages:

Coal Feedstock → Coal Gasification → Desulfurization → Shift Conversion → PSA Hydrogen Purification → High-Purity Hydrogen

The gasification section converts the carbonaceous feedstock into synthesis gas. Subsequent desulfurization removes sulfur-containing impurities, while shift conversion adjusts the gas composition to increase hydrogen yield. The PSA unit then separates hydrogen from the remaining gas components to achieve the required product purity.

Typical Performance

Typical Application

The coal-based hydrogen production system is intended for large-scale industrial hydrogen projects where coal or other applicable carbonaceous feedstocks are readily available.

Typical project considerations include:

• Required hydrogen production capacity

• Available coal quality and characteristics

• Target hydrogen purity

• Gasification technology selection

• Plant investment budget

• Hydrogen production cost requirements

• Integration with downstream chemical processes

With production capacities ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 Nm³/h and demonstrated applications at Zhejiang Longsheng Chemical Group, Shandong Fangming Chemical Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang Hengyi Chemical Co., Ltd., the process route is suitable for industrial projects requiring high-purity hydrogen at substantial production volumes.