steam reforming

noun

1. chem a process in which methane from natural gas is heated, with steam, usually with a catalyst, to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen used in organic synthesis and as a fuel

Example Sentences

Today, most commercial syngas is made by steam reforming of methane, a process that requires large amounts of water and heat and that also produces carbon dioxide.

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For the foreseeable future, most hydrogen fuel will very likely be made from natural gas through an energy-intensive and polluting method called the steam reforming process, which uses steam, high heat and pressure to break down the methane into hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

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But that still doesn’t account for the natural gas that generates the hydrogen, powers the steam reforming process and runs the CO2 capture.

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A key process for producing hydrogen in this way, known as steam reforming, also emits troublesome carbon dioxide and is expensive.

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Government data show that the United States currently produces about 10 million metric tons of hydrogen per year, 95% of which is via energy-intensive steam reforming which takes hydrogen out of natural gas but produces carbon as waste.

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