Air Products and Yara International ASA say that they are working to combine Air Products’ industrial gas capabilities and low-emission hydrogen production with Yara’s ammonia production and distribution network, with several major projects under development.
Greene Tweed, a leader in advanced materials and high-performance solutions, says it has achieved a significant advancement in hydrogen compression technology. The company’s newly engineered composite closed impeller set a record-breaking tip speed of 688 m/s in testing – nearly double that of traditional metallic impellers. The innovation highlights the potential of advanced composite materials to enhance performance, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in critical hydrogen pipeline infrastructure, specifically the transportation, storage and utilisation market segments.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries says that it has succeeded in producing 99% pure hydrogen by cracking ammonia using steam as the heating source. The production of hydrogen at pilot scale using the steam heating was conducted at the company’s pilot plant in the Nagasaki District Research & Innovation Centre, marking a world first. By contrast to technologies that use heat from burner combustion, MHI’s steam heating system operates at lower reaction temperatures, reducing operating costs. In addition, because a combustion furnace is not required, the system offers excellent features such as the potential for miniaturisation.
NextChem, via its nitrogen technology licensor Stamicarbon, has been awarded a licensing, process design package (PDP), and proprietary equipment supply contract based on its proprietary NX STAMI Urea™ technology, for a new urea plant in Eastern China by what NextChem describes as “a prominent fertilizer producer”.
Stamicarbon awarded licensing, PDP and proprietary equipment supply to new urea plant in Eastern China NEXTCHEM (MAIRE)
Greene Tweed's advancement in hydrogen compression technology sets a record-breaking tip speed to 688 m/s in testing
MHI has successfully completed the Ghorasal Polash Urea Fertilizer Project in Bangladesh - the country’s largest fertilizer complex. Key features of the project include: the KM CDR Process™ that captures CO2 , cuts emissions and boosts urea output; an energyefficient granulation unit using a bulk flow cooler to reduce power demand; and reinforced digital safety management.
Advances in cooling technology are providing fertilizer facilities with new options when it comes to upgrading outdated equipment and improving environmental sustainability of their existing operations. Igor Makarenko of Solex Thermal Science explores cooling strategies to improve operational efficiencies while also reducing their energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and overall carbon footprint.
Globally, operational renewable ammonia projects have exceeded one gigawatt (GW) of installed electrolyser capacity for the first time. Kevin Rouwenhorst of the Ammonia Energy Association (AEA) provides an overview of well-advanced projects and the associated technology options for ammonia synthesis.
Air Liquide is developing a new ammonia cracking technology based on its proven steam methane reforming (including SMRX™ ) technology, which introduces a heat exchange concept to cut energy use, lower environmental impact, and potentially eliminate steam export. Leveraging extensive SMR design expertise, a robust R&D programme, and an industrialscale NH3 cracking pilot plant, it aims to rapidly mature all technology blocks and deliver safe, reliable, and customisable lowcarbon hydrogen solutions to meet growing demand.