Hydrogen Value Chain LOHC-MCH for Energy Transition #H2Americas2023

Summary

The video script presents a technology called 'Spira' by Chota International Corporation, a proven and commercially available method for transporting hydrogen via a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) called methyl cyclohexane (MCH). It outlines Chota's background, the Spira process, and its advantages over other hydrogen transport options. The script highlights successful industrial demonstrations, including a global supply chain project between Brunei and Japan. It also discusses ongoing business development activities, such as potential projects in South America, Australia, Europe, and Singapore, involving MCH transportation and local hydrogen recovery. Overall, the script aims to introduce and promote Spira as a safe, reliable, and efficient technology for hydrogen transportation and distribution.

Takeaways

• 🔑 Chota International Corporation is showcasing their 'Spira' technology, which involves transporting hydrogen via a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) called methyl cyclohexane (MCH).
• 🌐 The Spira technology allows for the safe and efficient global transportation of hydrogen, bridging the gap between production and consumption sites.
• ⚙️ The process involves hydrogenating toluene to MCH at the production site, transporting the MCH via various modes (tankers, trucks, pipelines), and then dehydrogenating the MCH at the destination to recover pure hydrogen.
• 🛳 Chota successfully demonstrated the Spira technology by transporting MCH from Brunei to Japan in 2020 and 2022, showcasing its viability for a global hydrogen supply chain.
• 🔋 The recovered hydrogen can be used for various applications, such as fuel cell vehicles, power generation, and industrial processes.
• 💰 Studies suggest that the transportation costs of Spira are competitive compared to other hydrogen carriers like ammonia and liquid hydrogen.
• 🌍 Chota is actively pursuing various business development activities and partnerships to implement the Spira technology globally, targeting regions like South America, Australia, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and Scotland.
• 🤝 Chota has formed a collaboration with Axens to provide a one-stop solution for hydrogen transport options, combining their respective expertise in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation technologies.
• 🌳 The Spira technology is positioned as a pragmatic and commercially available solution for enabling a carbon-free, hydrogen-based society.
• 📈 Chota envisions the development of hydrogen port delivery hubs, large-scale storage facilities, and decentralized dehydrogenation plants to facilitate the distribution of hydrogen via the Spira technology.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Spira technology?

Spira is a technology that enables the transportation of hydrogen over long distances by binding it with a liquid organic molecule called methyl cyclohexane (MCH). This allows hydrogen to be easily transported as a chemical at ambient temperatures and pressures.

How does the Spira technology work?

The process starts with toluene, a common refinery aromatic, which is hydrogenated to produce MCH using hydrogen. The MCH can then be transported to the desired location, where it is dehydrogenated using a proprietary catalyst to release the hydrogen and regenerate the toluene, which is then returned to the production site for reuse.

What are the advantages of using the Spira technology over other hydrogen transportation methods?

Spira offers several advantages, including the ability to transport hydrogen at ambient conditions, a higher volumetric density of hydrogen compared to compressed gas or liquid hydrogen, and the potential for high purity hydrogen recovery (over 99.8%). Additionally, the technology can utilize existing infrastructure for transportation and storage.

What was the significance of the demonstration projects mentioned in the presentation?

The demonstration projects in Brunei and Japan were conducted to commercially demonstrate the viability of the Spira technology in a global hydrogen supply chain. These projects successfully transported MCH over long distances and recovered hydrogen at the destination, proving the technology's readiness for larger-scale deployment.

What are some of the current business development activities related to the Spira technology?

The presentation mentions several ongoing business development activities, including evaluating and pursuing projects where hydrogen supply is remote from the point of use (e.g., South America, Australia), engineering a project with local dehydrogenation in Singapore, and partnering with Axens for a marketing and delivery collaboration.

How does the Spira technology compare to other hydrogen carriers in terms of transportation costs?

According to the study mentioned in the presentation, transportation costs are not a significant barrier for the Spira technology compared to other hydrogen carriers like ammonia or liquid hydrogen. The transportation costs are typically overshadowed by other costs in the supply chain, such as hydrogen production and storage.

What is the overall process efficiency of the Spira technology?

The presentation estimates the overall process efficiency of the Spira technology to be around 60%, considering factors like the energy required for hydrogenation, transportation, and dehydrogenation, as well as the energy content of the recovered hydrogen.

How is the Spira technology aligned with environmental goals?

The presentation positions the Spira technology as a solution that can contribute to the prevention of global warming and CO2 emission reduction by enabling a global hydrogen supply chain and facilitating the use of hydrogen as a clean energy source.

What is the partnership between Chota and Axens focused on?

Chota and Axens have entered into a cooperative agreement for a marketing and delivery collaboration. Axens brings its hydrogenation technology and licensing experience, while Chota provides its proprietary dehydrogenation catalyst and engineering expertise. This partnership aims to offer a one-stop solution for clients seeking hydrogen transportation options.

What is the significance of the project being considered in Rotterdam?

The project being considered in Rotterdam involves the importation of hydrogen via LOHC (Spira technology) and the establishment of a distribution hub in Northwestern Europe. This hub could supply hydrogen to various countries in the region, with a potential capacity of up to 400,000 annual metric tons by 2030.