New Energies, new possibilities

Topsoe and Aramco have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to advance low-carbon hydrogen solutions using the former’s eREACT™ technology in Saudi Arabia.

It will be introduced at Shaybah Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) recovery plant. Once operational, the plant’s 3MW unit is expected to produce six tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen daily.

The JDA builds on the two companies’ initial collaboration, announced in October 2023, to demonstrate the scalability, efficiency and carbon-reduction potential of eREACT™.

This collaboration will further demonstrate integration of Aramco’s innovative palladium-alloy membrane technology ensuring the production of low-carbon hydrogen with simultaneous CO2 capture.

By combining Topsoe’s expertise in carbon emission reduction technologies with Aramco’s resources, this strategic collaboration will accelerate the adoption of this novel low-carbon hydrogen technology on a global scale.

The successful commercialisation of eREACT™ technology will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the energy and chemical sectors, according to a statement.

Elena Scaltritti, Chief Commercial Officer at Topsoe, said, “With this joint development agreement, we are demonstrating the significant commercial viability of our eREACT™ technology and its benefits to low-carbon hydrogen production. This technology holds a significant potential as part of the low-carbon hydrogen economy, and we are excited to deliver on the project in due course.”

Ali A Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination, said its collaboration with Topsoe will bring together the expertise of both companies in attempting to create a leading technology solution to develop a lower-carbon hydrogen production technology from hydrocarbons.

“By leveraging Aramco’s oil and gas infrastructure and abundantly available renewable resources in the Kingdom, we plan to enable the commercial deployment of this novel technology,” he said.

The heart of eREACT™ is an electrified reactor design, which can convert a variety of feedstocks into low-carbon hydrogen or other chemicals and fuels.

It opens up the prospect of developing new production routes combining renewable electricity and natural gas while greatly reducing flue gas emissions.

The carbon-reducing potential of eREACT™ further increases if the process is combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Topsoe has been selected by developer Hygenco to provide its technology to an upcoming green ammonia plant in India.

The plant, scheduled to launch in 2027, is phase one (of three) at the 2,9700-acre Tata Steel’s Special Economic Zone Industrial Park (GIP) in Gopalpur, Odisha, and will have an installed capacity of 750 tonnes per day.

Topsoe and Aramco to advance low-carbon hydrogen | Hydrogen | gasworld

XINTC, a Dutch initiative funded entirely by private Dutch investments, has unveiled a revolutionary electrolyser design featuring an all-plastic gas module (stack). This innovation eliminates the need for critical metals, membranes, and seals, paving the way for the mass production of virtually maintenance-free electrolysers.

According to XINTC, this breakthrough could significantly reduce the cost of hydrogen production, unlocking new opportunities to scale up hydrogen adoption on a global scale.

Advancing efficiency with cutting-edge technology

Thanks to intelligent electronics, XINTC’s gas modules can switch on and off at high frequency – up to hundreds of thousands of cycles – without experiencing significant wear and tear. This allows the system to extract up to 25% more hydrogen from a single solar field compared to other manufacturers’ solutions.

The XINTC electrolyser system is built from four modular building blocks, designed to meet varying requirements for production capacity, storage volume, hydrogen purity, and output pressure. All modules are standardised and can be made operational within a single day of installation.

Versatile applications and global reach

XINTC’s target market includes mid-range systems ranging from 500 kW to over 100 MW, making the technology suitable for a wide array of applications such as ammonia production, steel furnaces, fertiliser manufacturing, industrial heating, biomethanisation, and mobility solutions.

Production of gas modules and system assembly will take place on multiple continents, supported by a global network of distributors. The company has already received significant interest from international stakeholders eager to adopt this innovative electrolyser technology.

Official launch and demonstration facility

On 9 December 2024, the H2 Experience Centre in Kootwijkerbroek, the Netherlands, will officially open, marking the global launch of XINTC’s pioneering electrolyser design. Established in collaboration with Energeion, the facility serves as a testing and demonstration hub, showcasing the electrolyser’s ability to be directly coupled with solar fields and to adapt in real time to fluctuations in renewable energy sources.

Source: Hydrogentechworld