H2Tech - Q1 2022 - 45

INFRASTRUCTURE AND DISTRIBUTION
12
Heating
medium
13
11
MCH
FIG. 17. MCH dehydrogenation.a
point of use is most likely the most economical,
since less deep processing of
the H2
is required. The conversion and
and
subsequent reconversion required is not
to the very low temperature of LH2
no chemical reactions are associated
exothermic/endothermic and product
losses, which increases both CAPEX
and OPEX. The LNG vector does present
the additional processing and transportation
of the CO2
, but this is not as
costly or energy intensive as liquefying
H2
or the highly exothermic/endothermic
NH3 and MCH processes. The LNG
vector does have a higher transportation
and storage element compared with NH3
and MCH, but this is counterbalanced
by the lower LNG conversion costs. The
LNG vector also gains from the fact that
the large-scale LNG infrastructure is in
place, mature and has achieved significant
efficiency savings over time.
Sequestration of the CO2
closer to the
import facility also has clear economic
benefits, but this may not be an option in
some locations.
Not surprisingly, the LH2
vector was
the highest value and, solely from the optimistic
future trend, it is seen that it will
become more economical as more investment
in development is made. However,
liquefaction of H2
will have a finite cost
that is not better than LNG-achieving
a temperature of -253°C is substantially
different and more energy intensive than
achieving -162°C. Further complicated
by maintaining these temperatures and
reducing boil-off during storage and
transportation, these costs are higher
than for the other vectors.
Although H2
has a high energy content
on a mass basis, the energy density graph
(FIG. 19) shows a relatively low energy
density on a volumetric basis and, therefore,
requires larger and more expensive
15
14
17
18
16
TOL
Product H2
treatment
Hydrogen
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
500
LH2
40
395
365
351
834
259
403
LH2
CO2
40
395
365
351
444
259
403
- Future
427
148
125
129
473
277
442
Ammonia
FIG. 18. Specific values for each vector.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
LOHC
473
77
293
77
339
270
427
Methane
77
9.03
161
352
175
155
292
390
liquefaction
Reconversion
Storage/unloading
Transportation
Storage/loading
Conversion
GH2 production
NG feed
LG
LNG
Methanol
Liq NH3
NH3
20 bar
FIG. 19. Energy density of different fuels.
TABLE 13. Total specifi c values for each vector
LNGVector
Specific
value,
$/metric t of H2
LH2
2,647
LH2-future
2,257
Ammonia
2,020
storage and shipping infrastructure.
NH3
LOHC-MCH
1,956
methane
1,610
quirements to convert it back to H2
and MCH are comparable based
on this study, and the order of position
can probably be changed by optimizing
shipping and storage sizes. Both processes
have complex conversion and reconversion
processes that are energy intensive
and have product losses of ~12% for the
MCH and >15% for the NH3
, resulting in
Both rehigher
feedgas costs and lower resource
efficiency than the LNG vector.7
quire additional materials handling-as
the carrier, toluene must be transported
and stored in both locations for the MCH
vector. An ASU to produce nitrogen is required
for the NH3
vector. Both have wellestablished
equipment, although NH3
cracking requires further investigation.
NH3
benefit over MCH if there were no resynthesis
units are relatively small,
although most major suppliers claim that
units up to 6,000 tpd are in development.
NH3
would have some appreciative
-this
would also bring it closer, if not equal, to
LNG. The use of NH3
as a direct fuel is
gathering momentum-showing it to be
competitive and economical for trucks,
shipping and aviation would encourage
its use as a better option.
Energy efficiency and overall CO2
loss
to the atmosphere in these processes have
not been analyzed in depth, but it is clear
the LH2
vector has the minimum CO2
loss
to atmosphere through the process chain,
as H2
is used as shipping fuel and the CCS
process occurs closest to the source of the
hydrocarbon feedgas. However, power
production for the LH2
and CO2
process is high
losses can be substantial at this
loss to
point. The method of regasification also
needs further development. CO2
atmosphere in the NH3
reduced once NH3
fuel of choice in the future.
Low-carbon power production, enerH2Tech
| Q1 2022 45
process would be
becomes the shipping
LH2
H2 700 bar
CH4
Liquid fuels at boiling point. Gases at ambient temperature
100 bar
H2
200 bar
H2
100 bar
MWh/m3
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