Published December 2023
Hydrogen is one of the most important chemical products manufactured and used globally. It is produced in large quantities as an on-purpose product, mostly from natural resources, such as biomass, coal, natural gas and refinery products (for example, naphtha). Small amounts of hydrogen are also produced by electrolysis of water. It is also generated as a byproduct of several chemical processes. Most of this on-purpose hydrogen is used as a captive product in different applications.
The primary demand for hydrogen today is in petroleum refining, ammonia production and methanol production. Nevertheless, hydrogen is used across multiple sectors, in other chemical and industrial processes as well as in the role of a reducing or hydrogenating reagent. Another unique point is that hydrogen can be used as a clean fuel — for example, when consumed in a fuel cell, hydrogen produces electric energy and water only — hence, it can be used in integrated clean energy systems and auto transportation.
Clean hydrogen — produced from renewables, nuclear or fossil fuels with carbon capture, utilization and storage — can help to decarbonize a range of sectors, including long-haul transport, chemicals, and iron and steel, where it is otherwise difficult to reduce emissions. It can also help to improve air quality in cities and improve energy security.
Hydrogen is mostly produced from steam reforming of fossil fuels and emits 8-10 metric tons of CO2 per ton of hydrogen produced.
In this report, we analyze the production of blue hydrogen using technologies of three licensors, namely:
- Low-carbon hydrogen (LCH™) technology by Johnson Matthey PLC
- Partial oxidation (POX) technology by Shell Catalysts & Technologies
- SynCOR™ technology by Topsoe A/S
All of these hydrogen technologies are coupled with an amine-based carbon capture that reduces the process CO2 emissions by more than 90%.
The capacity selected in this report is 100,000 metric tons a year (t/y) of hydrogen (137,460 normal cubic meters per hour [Nm3 /h] or 127 MMscf/d).
This report will be a valuable resource for planners, producers and designers who are looking for an authentic evaluation of the capital and production costs for blue hydrogen production evaluating the three technologies mentioned above.