Steam reforming, also known as steam methane reforming (SMR), is a chemical process used to produce hydrogen gas (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) from hydrocarbon feedstocks such as natural gas, methane, propane, or naphtha.
In this process, the hydrocarbon feedstock is combined with steam at high temperatures (typically between 700°C to 1000°C) and under pressure in the presence of a catalyst, usually nickel-based.
The reaction produces a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide known as synthesis gas or "syngas," which is a valuable intermediate used in various industrial processes such as ammonia production, methanol synthesis, and hydrogenation reactions in refineries.
Steam reforming is the most common method for large-scale hydrogen production due to its efficiency and versatility.