(729b) Advancing Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production: Innovations and Challenges

Climate change is urging us to cut down on CO₂ emissions, particularly from the industrial sector, which contributes 30% globally [1]. Hydrogen emerges as a transformative solution in the energy transition, offering a clean and reliable energy source as it does not emit CO₂ when burned. However, the process currently used to produce the bulk of the hydrogen, called steam methane reforming (SMR), does produce CO₂ and consumes a lot of energy.

Decarbonizing hydrogen production can be achieved through reconfigured reformer designs and improved catalysts, positioning SMR as a scalable and industry-ready source of low-carbon hydrogen. Collaborative efforts between Clariant and Technip Energies have introduced the Enhanced Annular Reforming Tube for Hydrogen (EARTH®), an innovative heat-recuperative reformer concept aimed at enhancing SMR efficiency, capacity, and sustainability. Commercial implementation of EARTH has yielded significant benefits, including in one case a nearly 40% reduction in fuel consumption, improved radiant efficiency, and a 20% decrease in CO₂ emissions while in another case boosting capacity by up to 20% compared to conventional SMR [2].

To further reduce the carbon footprint, minimizing steam consumption is essential. However, this may increase coke formation on catalysts due to a reduced steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C). Therefore, understanding the relationship between S/C and coke formation under industry-relevant conditions is critical for catalyst development. Recent advancements in research have enabled the study of coke formation under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, mirroring realistic operating conditions. This study investigates the interplay between coke formation, S/C ratio, temperature, and pressure using Ni-Al-O containing catalysts and explores the impact of dopants on coke formation dynamics. The insights will allow the advancement of low-carbon hydrogen production processes.

References:

1. DOE, Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap, 2022, https://www.energy.gov/eere/doe-industrial-decarbonization-roadmap
2. Clariant's media release: https://www.pressreleasefinder.com/prdocs/2021/Clariant_Media_Release_EARTH_Tech_Launch_20211111_EN.pdf