4793 Integrated Natural Gas based Hydrogen Production and Compression System

At present, annually 500 billion m3 of hydrogen are produced globally in centralised large-scale refinery-like plants, compressed to 200 bar, and transported for use in industrial processes. In this old-fashion supply chain a significant part of the energ y content is wasted on transport as huge trucks (40 tons) carry only a few hundred kilogram of H over several hundred kilometres. New technology of on-site H generation system can prevent the losses due to logistics and therefore provide H in a more cost- and energy-efficient way. Today's state of the art compression technology is electrically driven mechanical compressors; not a very cost- and energy-efficient solution. HYSTORSYS, however, offers a first generation of MH based H compression system which uses heat (rather than electricity) to compress hydrogen. This HYSTORSYS product, developed in cooperation with IFE, is close to market entery. First success is there. The product, when adapted in such way that it can use waist heat from the hydrogen gen erator, would be the ultimate asset to advance HyGear's (NL) existing product into a winning product suitable for all markets, rather than for some. In order to come into this winning position, the following works need to be done: - IFE has to develop su itable metal hydrides and achieve process changes for the current HYSTORSYS product - HYSTORSYS has to develop a suitable advanced metal hydride hydrogen sorption system with a reduced upper temperature level ensuring an efficient H compression The HYSTO RSYS product integrated into the steam methane reformer will be able to dominate several global niche markets. The project team, including the full chain from IFE (research institute) through component manufacturer HYSTORSYS and product manufacturer (NL) up to industrial process gas market leader (NL), forms a combination well capable and highly motivated to conquer the leading position described.