Hydrogen:
Energy source of the future
Hydrogen is indispensable for decarbonization. To replace fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, industry and society need immense amounts of H2.
Among other things, hydrogen will provide process heat for industry, keep stationary generators running, and power ships, heavy-duty vehicles and buses. If carbon dioxide emissions are to fall significantly, hydrogen must be produced in a climate-neutral way. The enormous demand for green hydrogen far exceeds production capacity.
Only green hydrogen at competitive prices can be used economically. This requirement is not met today. Production costs are high. Only 1% of hydrogen is produced in a climate-neutral way. Its production in the conventional electrolysis process depends on electricity from renewable energy sources.
With Green Hydrogen Technology’s process, green hydrogen can be produced on an industrial scale at competitive prices.
Climate-friendly production from waste
Green Hydrogen Technology’s production process generates hydrogen without the use of fossil fuels and takes regional site conditions into account. The technology relies on sewage sludge, plastic and wood waste as raw materials.
The three-phase process consists of three modules:
- Heat generation
- H2 generation
- H2 processing
The modules allow the alternative use of different raw materials. The production plant can thus be adapted to the available resources of the operator. With its decentralized orientation, the technology does not require elaborate infrastructure and avoids high transport costs.
Module 1: Heat generation
In the first phase, hot gas is generated at a temperature of 1,500 to 1,700 degrees Celsius. Dried sewage sludge can be used as fuel for gas generation. Gas or biogas, as well as surplus heat from production processes, are also suitable energy sources.
Module 2: H2 generation
Using the hot gas, Green Hydrogen Technology’s patented ChemQuench process produces energy-efficient hydrogen with an efficiency of 90%. For this purpose, the hot gas is converted into synthesis gas. The synthesis process is also set up for different energy sources. It can be carried out with plastic or wood waste.
Module 3: H2 processing
The produced hydrogen is processed to H2 5.0 by amine treatment and pressure swing adsorption. Green Hydrogen Technology production plants can produce up to 5,000 tons of green hydrogen annually.
GHT-Technology
Advantages at a glance
storage of CO2 in liquid form for recycling.
the process produces only 3–5% ash.
There is no ash residue in the ChemQuench.
the technology avoids NOx.
endothermic gasification of biomass, plastic waste or other organic material in hot gas captures large amounts of hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
the high temperature in the gas burner (>1,600°C) extracts inorganically bound substances in the form of phosphate slag.
Nutrients and phosphate can be recovered from sewage sludge.
What distinguishes our technology from other processes?
H2 production by GHT compared with the processes gas with CCU, electrolysis and waste to H2.
FAQs
Technology
What is the special feature of GHT technology?
Green Hydrogen Technology’s production process generates hydrogen without the use of fossil fuels and takes into account regional site conditions. GHT technology is based on a new, patented process. In this process, hot gas (1,600°C) obtained from the incineration of sewage sludge, biogas or hot gas extracted from production processes is converted into synthesis gas with the help of plastic or wood waste.
The production plant can thus be adapted to the available resources of the operator. With its decentralized orientation, the technology does not require any complex infrastructure and avoids high transport costs.
What exactly distinguishes GHT technology from hydrogen production by electrolysis?
Up to now, green hydrogen has mostly been produced by electrolysis. In this process, water is split into its components, hydrogen and oxygen, using electrical energy from renewable sources.
GHT has developed a superior process to produce green hydrogen. The advantages over electrolysis and also over other thermal-chemical processes are clear:
- No primary energy required
- Higher efficiency
- Higher hydrogen output
- Lower production costs
- Sensible use of waste, which is available in large quantities
- By-product is slag containing phosphate, from which white phosphorus can be recovered.
From 2029, the requirement to recover phosphate applies in cases where the sewage sludge has a phosphorus content of 20 grams or more per kilogram of dry matter. How does GHT meet this requirement?
H2 recovery by GHT plants separates phosphate without additional cost or effort. The high temperature in the gas burner extracts inorganically bound materials in the form of phosphate slag. Nutrients and phosphate can be recovered from the sewage sludge.
Where does the raw material for operating a GHT plant come from?
Green Hydrogen Technology’s production process relies on climate-friendly hydrogen production from sewage sludge, plastic waste and wood waste.
Sewage sludge
In Germany alone, almost 1.9 million tons of sewage sludge are produced annually (source: Eurostat Data, 2020).
Plastic waste
There is no sensible use for plastic waste that cannot be sent for material recycling. In Germany, this amounts to 3.8 million tons per year (source: Plastic Atlas, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland, 2019).
Wood waste
Despite distinct recycling systems, a large proportion of wood waste cannot be recycled. In Germany, this amounts to 11 million tons per year (source: Technology for Wood and Natural Fiber-Based Materials).
What is left of the plastic after it has passed through the GHT plant?
What kind of plastic does GHT use?
GHT uses non-recyclable plastic that would otherwise end up in the ocean, landfills or incinerators.
Economic viability
Why is a GHT plant able to produce hydrogen cheaply?
GHT relies on waste (sewage sludge, plastic or wood waste) as raw materials that are available free of charge or have a negative price. In addition, the decentralized orientation of the plants limits the transport costs of the H2 to a minimum. It can be produced where H2 is needed.
Produktionskosten
How much hydrogen can a GHT plant produce in a year?
The patented technology is exceptionally efficient. GHT plants produce up to 5,000 tons of green hydrogen per year.
Prospects and target groups
Who is the typical operator of a GHT plant?
Municipalities (e.g. waste management companies), companies in the chemical industry, gas traders
Is the technology already ready for deployment?
We are on the way to industrial production. All steps of the production process have been tested at laboratory scale. A pilot plant is currently under construction and will start testing in November 2022. Operational experience is expected to be evaluated by the beginning of 2023.
What are the next steps?
GHT plans to sell the first industrial-scale biogas-fuelled plant in 2023, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. Operation of the first commercial-scale sewage-sludge-based plant is planned for Q4 2027.