Utilisation of Co-Products of H2 Production

Teesside University and Durham University are collaborating with Hydrostar Ltd and Glacier Energy to make hydrogen production more cost-effective and efficient. This project focuses on leveraging by-products from various hydrogen production methods to reduce costs and improve the sustainability of hydrogen as an energy source.

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Challenge

Hydrogen is a highly promising energy source, but its production is expensive, regardless of whether it is produced via blue, green, or turquoise pathways. To make hydrogen more competitive, this project aims to explore how by-products such as heat, CO2, O2, and carbon can be utilised by potential end users. Additionally, the project will investigate the use of waste heat to power a metal hydride compressor, which could further reduce costs and support decarbonisation efforts.

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Solution

The project will map the by-products of blue, green, and turquoise hydrogen production against potential users across the Teesside Industrial Cluster (TIC). By identifying opportunities to use these by-products, the project seeks to lower hydrogen production costs and emissions. A key part of this work is the design and testing of a metal hydride compressor that uses waste heat, thereby reducing the energy required for hydrogen compression.

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Impact

This research could make hydrogen production significantly more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, accelerating its adoption as a key energy source. By optimising the use of by-products and integrating waste heat recovery, the project could also enhance the competitiveness of the Tees Valley region. The findings will help build the case for integrated plant planning, which is crucial for industrial decarbonisation and achieving the UK's net-zero targets.