H2Tech - Q2 2022 - 43

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
and efficient H2
distribution and
storage value chains, including
the evaluation of carrier
alternatives such as ammonia
and cryogenic and solid H2
3. The implementation of
low-risk, high-reliability and
cost-competitive H2
technology.
end-user
Central challenges for green and blue
H2 production include the identification
and rapid evaluation of highest efficiency
electrolysis and/or membrane conversion
approaches, the evaluation of economics
of catalyst and adsorbent options, and
the improvement of economics based on
highest cost choke points.
TABLE 1 summarizes a simplified state
of play of the basic options-It is more
complicated than this as carbon capture
must be combined with blue H2
synthesis.
Within the framework outlined, several
key alternatives include:
1. Distributed H2
production
modules vs. large centralized
production.
2. A phased approach, leveraging
both blue and green H2
options
initially and migrating to higher
efficiency green H2
as economics
improve over time and technical
risk diminishes.
3. Research and development to
drive down the cost of fuel cells
for end-use, electrolysis for
production and to reduce risk in
transport and storage.
4. Focus on larger scale,
concentrated end-uses such as
power generation and grid
storage in the shorter term.
Solution: Digitalization across the value
chain. As the industry transitions to
H2
, it is vital that companies look for asset
optimization software that extends across
the entire value chain, addressing the key
areas of production, distribution and storage
and usage (FIG. 3).
The following will detail how today's
digital solutions can assist companies as
they explore all avenues of the H2
economy.
Selecting green of blue technology-
A system solution. The H2
economy
offers many alternatives and permutations.
The most appropriate choice of
technologies will be highly dependent on
regional energy options, industrial playFIG.
4. Modeling the end-to-end H2
solutionb
economics and energy availability.
H2Tech | Q2 2022 43
economy value chain in a proprietary reliability management
. It enables the view of optimal investment strategies to minimize risk and maximize
FIG. 3. Addressing the H2 value chain with one set of digital solutions.
ers and government policies. Currently,
industry participants from Europe and
the Middle East to Asia-Pacific and Latin
America are pursuing different pathways
to the same end goal.
To effectively understand the alternatives,
economics and risks, a comprehensive
view of systems risk is crucial,
especially when assessing the impacts to
the proposed value chains. This is where
a system risk analysis toolb
includes a built-in, proforma H2
model to facilitate these analyses (FIG. 4).
INNOVATION AND
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Green H2
Blue H2-Reforming. Best-in-class engineering
software models and optimizes
process routes and energy use in producing
H2
example, Air Products, a leader in both
blue and green H2
plants to deploy blue H2
.
from natural gas or from coal. For
that effectively performs
modeling for optimizcarbon
capture today, recently presented a
case study on its H2
ing installed H2
is ideal, as it
economy
Carbon capture. Carbon capture is receiving
increasing investment attention
within the industry. As hydrocarbons
and metals continue to be in demand in
electrolysis. Advances in
today's custom unit modeling technology
can uniquely handle electrochemistry-including
electrolyte properties
and power-to-model electrolysis-endto-end.
Gas and chemical providers are
currently leveraging solutions that push
the modeling frontiers with respect to
electrolysis reactors for H2
production.
the global energy and resource mix, CO2
will continue to be a byproduct of conversion.
Carbon capture, using a variety of
technology alternatives, is racing toward
broader commercial viability. The main
challenges include minimizing energy
use during CO2
capture, optimizing CO2
capture processes in the face of complex
chemistry, and effectively maximizing the
recharge and reuse of catalyst and adsorbent
materials to avoid creating a secondary
waste disposal challenge.
H2Tech - Q2 2022

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