A hydrogen recovery unit is used to capture and purify hydrogen from process flows or waste gases containing hydrogen along with inert gases and other impurities. This unit is critical to maximizing hydrogen utilization and improving overall process efficiency, especially at plants where hydrogen is both produced and consumed.
Various technologies can be employed:
Operational concept
Process integration:
The recovered hydrogen is often returned to the main process (e.g., as feedstock or for further chemical synthesis) or used as a valuable by-product.
Additional PSA systems:
In some scenarios, a secondary PSA process is used to further purify hydrogen recovered from the mixed gas flow.
Cryogenic distillation:
Similar to the operating principles of ASUs (air separation units), it is used when very high purity hydrogen is required.
Membrane separation:
Semipermeable membranes enable the selective passage of hydrogen due to its small molecular size.
Recovery from waste gas flows:
Not all of the hydrogen produced is captured as a final product in processes such as hydrogen recovery and catalytic operations. Waste gas flows often contain residual hydrogen mixed with by-products. The unit is designed to extract that hydrogen.
Main components
Separation module:
Depending on the technology (membrane, cryogenic or adsorption), this module separates hydrogen from other gases.
Compression and cooling systems:
Adjust process conditions (pressure and temperature) to optimize separation efficiency.
Control and measuring equipment:
Monitors gas composition, pressure cycles and purity levels to ensure consistent recovery.
Products
Hydrogen: 10–5,000 Nm³/h
Product purity
Hydrogen: 90–99.9% depending on the technology
Use
Oil refineries and petrochemical plants:
Hydrogen recovery units improve hydrogen utilization efficiency and reduce waste.
Fuel production:
Improving overall hydrogen output for fuel cells and other energy applications.
Compliance with environmental requirements:
Reducing hydrogen emissions (that may contain pollutants) results in cleaner operations and improved energy utilization.