New Innovation in Green Hydrogen Economy by University of Manchester

New Innovation in Green Hydrogen Economy by University of Manchester

Here’s an article posted in Manchester

According to the article,

• The University of Manchester is leading the RECYCLE project, aiming to produce syngas and pure hydrogen with nearly zero direct carbon dioxide emissions, supported by a £5.1 million grant from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
• The project involves five industrial partners, including Johnson Matthey, TotalEnergies OneTech, Kent, Helical Energy, and Element Energy, to develop a chemical looping reforming technology for low-carbon hydrogen production, aligned with the UK’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
• The RECYCLE project will demonstrate its feasibility at a pre-commercial scale by constructing and testing a fully integrated innovative hydrogen production pilot unit at The University of Manchester, with the final demonstration planned for the second half of 2024.

The RECYCLE project led by The University of Manchester aims to revolutionize hydrogen production by developing a technology with nearly zero direct carbon dioxide emissions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

1. Chemical Looping Reforming (CLR) Technology: The heart of the RECYCLE project lies in Chemical Looping Reforming (CLR) technology. This process enables the production of syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) and pure hydrogen with minimal CO2 emissions. CLR operates by utilizing metal oxides as oxygen carriers to facilitate the conversion of hydrocarbons into hydrogen-rich gas without direct contact with air.
2. Fixed Bed Reactors: The technology employs fixed bed reactors, allowing for modular units and cost-effective solutions for hydrogen production. These reactors facilitate the chemical reactions necessary for converting feedstocks into syngas and hydrogen. The fixed bed design enhances efficiency and scalability of the hydrogen production process.
3. Carbon Dioxide Capture and Separation: One of the key features of the RECYCLE technology is its ability to capture and separate carbon dioxide at high purity. This means that the process inherently captures CO2 emissions, mitigating environmental impact. High-purity CO2 can potentially be utilized in other industrial processes or safely sequestered to prevent its release into the atmosphere.
4. Pilot Unit Construction and Testing: The project involves constructing and testing a fully integrated hydrogen production pilot unit at The University of Manchester. This pilot unit will serve as a pre-commercial scale demonstration of the RECYCLE technology, showcasing its feasibility and effectiveness in real-world applications.
5. Partnership with Industrial Leaders: The RECYCLE project is a collaborative effort involving five world-leading industrial partners: Johnson Matthey, TotalEnergies OneTech, Kent, Helical Energy, and Element Energy. These partners bring expertise in engineering for sustainable development, catalysis, process technology, and strategic consulting, enhancing the project’s potential for success.
6. Government Funding and Support: The project is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as part of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). This £5.1 million investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting innovative solutions for achieving carbon neutrality. The funding aims to accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon technologies, contributing to the UK’s goal of ending its contribution to climate change.
7. Strategic Objectives: The RECYCLE project aligns with the UK’s strategic objectives for achieving carbon neutrality. It supports the government’s Energy Security Plan, which aims to have significant low-carbon hydrogen production capacity in operation by 2025 and 2030. By demonstrating the feasibility of low-carbon hydrogen production at scale, the project contributes to building a resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure for the future.

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