DNV GL has launched an international consortium to develop technology for a gradual transition from natural gas to hydrogen as a fuel in energy-intensive industrial production processes.
DNV GL has launched an international consortium to develop technology for a gradual transition from natural gas to hydrogen as a fuel in energy-intensive industrial production processes.
‘Existing burner and burner control technology to decarbonize industrial production processes is not yet market-ready, despite great interest and the advantages of hydrogen as a low carbon fuel in high-temperature industries. Our programme aims to have new burner concepts available within two years,’ said Sander Gersen, project leader, DNV GL – Oil & Gas.
The industry consortium, launched by DNV GL in collaboration with Dutch glass production expert company Celsian, comprises more than 30 private and public partners throughout the hydrogen value chain, including industrial end users, technology suppliers, fuel suppliers and traders, gas transport companies, knowledge institutes and the Dutch government.
‘We are looking at how we can best integrate new technology in industrial processes and hydrogen value chains. At the same time, we are conducting field demonstrations in various industrial environments,’ said Johan Knijp, country manager DNV GL – O&G Netherlands.
The consortium will work to ensure product quality is not affected in the first phase of the research by putting strong emphasis on understanding heat transfer from the hydrogen flame to the product. Secondly, it will ensure security of supply, enabling the end-user to be able to switch back (temporarily) to natural gas. Finally, it will work to ensure the solution is relatively easy and cost-effective to integrate into existing installations.
The first field demonstration is planned at Nedmag in Veendam (the Netherlands), where magnesium salt is processed using high-temperature processes. By the end of 2020, an oil stove at the plant will be run on hydrogen obtained from the nearby Gasunie Hystock hydrogen production plant in Zuidwending.
