Page 170 - CW E-Magazine (6-2-2024)

Special Report Special Report

larly Type III and IV composites, are industrial facilities, like refi neries. This (LH ) or conversion to hydrogen carri- will account for most of the low-carbon small form factor, and high power have limitations, including the need for
2
popular for fuel cell electric vehicles confi nement emphasizes the pressing ers like ammonia or LOHC. LH ship- hydrogen demand. Another promising density, coupled with quick ramp-up costly platinum group metal catalysts
2
(FCEVs), with models like Hyundai’s need to expand pipeline networks to ping was demonstrated in the HESC avenue is steelmaking, where hydrogen times, mean that PEMFCs are particu- and ultra-pure hydrogen to prevent cata-
Nexo and Toyota’s Mirai using Type connect regions of production and con- project by Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ can produce direct reduced iron (DRI). larly well suited to offer an alternative lytic contamination. Consequently, alter-
IV tanks at 700 bar. While compressed sumption more widely, allowing future Suiso Frontier vessel, transporting Major steelmaking companies view this to electrifi cation in the zero-emission native fuel cells like solid oxide fuel cells
storage will remain dominant for light- players to feed and draw H from this hydrogen from Australia to Japan. as the future of sustainable steel, transportation sector. (SOFCs) are gaining attention.
2
duty vehicles, liquid hydrogen tanks, network. Pipelines may be the most However, this pathway may be unviable anticipating it to replace carbon-intensive
with their larger capacity, are being cost-effective solution for large-scale compared to hydrogen carriers due to blast furnace processes. Additionally, Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) SOFCs’ high operating tempera-
explored for heavy-duty sectors, as and long-distance transport, so building the diffi culties of dealing with LH . hydrogen is seeing emerging industrial are gaining traction worldwide, particu- tures allow versatility in fuel choice
2
seen with Daimler Truck. networks is critical. uses in bio- and synfuel production, as larly in Asia, with government targets and eliminate the need for precious
The advantage of using hydrogen well as various power and heat appli- and grants driving the development metal catalysts. Their thermal exhaust
Underground storage in reservoirs, New construction is planned, with carriers is the utilisation of existing cations, including energy storage, com- of refuelling infrastructure and new can be harnessed for localized heating
like salt caverns, is like traditional projects like the HyNet North West transport routes and vessels, albeit bined heat & power (CHP) generation, vehicle concepts for light-, medium- (CHP), substantially enhancing fuel
natural gas storage. Companies like Hydrogen Pipeline already underway. requiring additional processing facilities. and heating across residential and and heavy-duty vehicles. The concept cell effi ciency. However, these temper-
Uniper and Gasunie aim to incor- Repurposing natural gas pipelines is Companies like Chiyoda Corporation industrial domains. Though currently of hub-to-hub routes is intriguing for atures also cause thermal degradation
porate these facilities into hydrogen a possibility, but requires extensive and Hydrogenious LOHC Techno- minor contributors to hydrogen demand, FCEVs, allowing for far greater range and lengthy start-up/shut-down times,
pipelines soon. They are anticipated simulation, testing, and risk evalua- logies are commercializing their LOHC these sectors are forecasted for consi- than is possible for battery electric making SOFCs more suitable for con-
to play a pivotal role in seasonal stor- tion to identify suitable pipelines. The solutions. An ammonia receiving derable long-term growth. vehicles (BEVs). Fuel cell propulsion tinuous stationary power applications
age, supplying the system during European Hydrogen Backbone initiative terminal is also planned at the Port of systems are also eyed by long-haul rather than rapid-start back-up power.
demand peaks. Underground facilities is leading in terms of setting a vision Rotterdam. Thus, many companies are Hydrogen also offers an alternative transport sectors, including marine,
may also be used by industrial pro- for a large-scale pipeline network, with seeing ammonia and LOHCs as critical means of power generation for several rail, and aviation. Despite the growth in the fuel cell
jects as a buffer reserve of hydrogen – over 30 operators participating – many enablers of international hydrogen different sectors, including transpor- sector, it is worth tempering the hype.
HYBRIT, a sustainable steelmaking of the pipelines are planned to be repur- supply chains. Hence, they are expected tation, back-up power, industry, and However, integrating fuel cell stacks IDTechEx forecasts the total accumu-
project in Sweden, is testing such a posed from existing networks. Blend- to play a substantial role in the future, utilities. Currently, proton exchange with appropriate hydrogen storage, lative installations (in MW) of SOFCs
concept using a lined rock cavern ing hydrogen into natural gas is also a considering that regions like Europe membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are the heat exchangers, and other balance of to be an order of magnitude lower than
(LRC). However, regulation and long popular concept for partially decarboni- and Japan may require net imports of predominant choice for fuel cell instal- plant components remains a challenge. that for PEMFCs solely in the trans-
project development times remain a zing the heating and power sector, with hydrogen. lations. Low operating temperatures, Despite their advantages, PEMFCs portation sector by 2033, while in turn
key challenge for this storage type. projects like HyDeploy proving blends
of 20 vol% H to be safe in existing Hydrogen in action: End-use sectors &
2
Hydrogen distribution & its applica- pipelines. However, higher percent- fuel cells
tions age blends will require modifi cation of Hydrogen is expected to signifi -
Compressed and liquid hydrogen many appliances and equipment in resi- cantly decarbonise industries where
trailers are currently used for small- dential and industrial sectors. it is traditionally employed, such as
scale needs like refuelling stations or refi ning, ammonia, and methanol pro-
pilot projects. While companies like International long-distance trans- duction, by transitioning from grey to
Hexagon Purus and Chart Industries port may involve liquid hydrogen blue and green hydrogen. These sectors
have developed various types of com-
pressed gas and liquid transport ves-
sels, companies like LIFTE H2 inno-
vate with mobile refuelers to offset the
scarcity of hydrogen refuelling stations.
Such hybrid solutions will be needed in
the future hydrogen energy system.

There are about 5,000-km of hydro-
gen pipelines globally, primarily con-
centrated in areas like the Gulf Coast
in the US and parts of Europe. Man-
aged by industrial gas giants such as
Air Products, Linde, and Air Liquide,
they mainly supply hydrogen to nearby

170 Chemical Weekly February 6, 2024 Chemical Weekly February 6, 2024 171

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised