Flexible Hybrid separation system for H2 recovery from NG Grids

Project Information

HyGrid

Grant agreement ID: 700355

DOI 10.3030/700355

Closed project

EC signature date 15 March 2016

Start date 1 May 2016

End date 31 August 2021

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost € 3 167 710,00

EU contribution € 2 527 710,00

Coordinated by

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - HyGrid (Flexible Hybrid separation system for H2 recovery from NG Grids)

Reporting period: 2020-11-01 to 2021-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

HyGrid aimed at developing novel hybrid system integrating three technologies for hydrogen purification integrated in a way that enhances the strengths of each of them: Membrane separation technology is employed for removing H2 from the “low H2 content” (e.g. 2-10 %) followed by electrochemical hydrogen separation (EHP) optimal for the “very low H2 content” (e.g. <2 %) and finally temperature swing adsorption (TSA) technology to purify from humidity produced in both systems upstream. The objective was to give a robust proof of concept and validation of the new technology (TRL 5) by designing, building, operating and validating a prototype system tested at industrial relevant conditions for continuous and transient loads.The proof of concept has been fully achieved and results show that, with the optimized heat integration, the Hygrid full size plant would have an estimated CAPEX of 0.6 € / kg H2 (meeting the KPI of < 1.5 € CAPEX / kg H2) while the OPEX will be 3.6 kWh/kg hydrogen (with steam available) to 4.3 kWh/kg without low pressure steam availability (meeting the KPI of < 5 kWh / kg H2)

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1
The coordination proceeded as planned.
WP2
This work package has been completed in the first reporting period. The industrial specifications have been assessed for the HYGRID system.
WP3
More than 65 ceramic supported Pd membranes have been prepared and integrated into the HyGrid prototype. Results of the testing show that the membranes installed in the prototype had the same characteristics of the lab scale membranes.
WP4
The development of the sub-system for the prototype in WP7 has been completed and the system integrated. The results show that the EHP can achieve the required separation and the energy efficiency set in the proposal.
WP5
In WP5 HyGear has designed and assembled the TSA pilot plant. Sizing of the pilot plant was performed using the TSA chemical model developed in Task 8.2. HyGear finished the installation on the test site successfully and finished the integration in this period. Tests confirmed that the model with adapted kinetic parameter predicts most trends, such as bed temperatures, cycle time, water adsorption and break through quite well.
WP6
Carbon membranes were tested in the high-pressure setup to understand the behavior in terms of permeance and selectivity especially in case of HyGrid conditions. Initially, pure gas tests and later mixtures at different temperatures and pressure were performed. Cases with atmosphere, vacuum and higher pressure in the permeate side were taken into account. Humidified and dry membrane conditions were tested to understand the effect of water adsorption to improve membrane purity. Gases were saturated in a tank full of water in case humidified conditions were applied. The purpose is to compare experimental results of carbon and Pd-Ag membranes at higher pressure to verify which could suit better the HyGrid configuration. Enough results have been obtained. These have been used for the modeling and definition of additional configurations to improve the efficiency of the system.
WP7
HyGear finalized the design and started ordering components for the assembly of the HyGrid pilot plant. Discussions were held with partners Tecnalia, TU/e and HyET regarding the integration of the main components of the HyGrid pilot plant. One of the results was that HyGear has taken over part of the activities from partner HyET. A process flow diagram with the main streams of the HyGrid prototype was prepared after the discussions. The system has been tested, and the results have shown that the HYGRID system can reach the targets of purity and KPI of CAPEX and OPEX. however, more research is needed to assure higher stability of the complete system when working with NG.
WP8
Different simulations were carried out for optimizing the HyGrid system. After the sensitivity analysis, a techno-economic evaluation was performed based on NETL method to calculate the hydrogen separation cost and understand the more convenient configuration from an economic point of view. New configurations have been patented by TUE and TECNALIA. it has been found that for a very low production rate (25 kg/day) and according to the assumptions of only 5 units sold per year, the best configuration for low pressure applications is configuration C that achieves both KPIs on energy and CAPEX, but only reaches 99.92% purity. At high pressures, the best compromise is configuration E5 that reaches 99.99% purity with 5.4 kWh/kgH2 and 1.82 €/kgH2.
WP9
The aim of WP9 was to perform an environmental LCA and economic assessment of the hydrogen recovery systems developed within HyGrid. The results have shown that the HYGRID system is performing much better in terms of Environmental performance compared t the other commercial systems such as PSA.
WP10
The activities on “exploitation and dissemination” were mainly focused on the implementation of the dissemination and communication strategy and tools, the development of the initial Plan for Use and Dissemination of Foreground (PUDF) and the stakeholder analysis. A project website has been prepared and is continuously updated; non-confidential presentations, to present the HyGrid project, have been prepared. Several papers have been produced and published Open Access. Two patents have been submitted on Carbon membranes and on Hydrogen separation configurations. One PhD thesis has been approved and the new doctor is now working in hydrogen related field. Several presentations have been held at international conferences. 3 workshops have been organized (unfortunately mainly online due to COVID restrictions). The overall communication and dissemination activity can be thus summarized as: 2 Patent applications, 9 scientific publications, 32 Presentations between oral and posters (plus 2 at Hydrogen weeks) 3 workshops, 1 PhD thesis.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Currently the value of H2 in natural gas is only the caloric value of the gas as most of natural gas is used for heating. The value for chemical use is negative as most chemical plants are not equipped for using hydrogen in natural gas. The HyGrid system will convert this low caloric value into fuel for passenger car value. This will increase the value of around €3,50 up to €6,00 per kg. Almost doubling the value of hydrogen in the grid. Moreover, the successful results of HyGrid will indeed make it possible to distribute hydrogen also within the natural gas grid, thus reducing the costs of transportation or on-site production of hydrogen for many applications including hydrogen refuelling stations.
The new technology has also a great environmental and societal impact. In particular, the project will reduce specific CO2 emissions as well as other pollutants like NOx and SOx. Furthermore, the HyGrid separation technology itself will lead to: more efficient use of raw material resources and minimization of by-products formation (less wastes) due to the high selectivity and separation rates; fostering of green transportation and energy supply technologies due to lower H2 prices; reduction of fossil fuels dependence and as such will increase economic security.

membranes for prototype