Low-carbon hydrogene

 

 

Hydrogen is the most abundant element of the universe. At atmospheric pressure, it takes the form of an invisible and odourless gas. Its current use essentially focuses on the chemical and petrochemical sectors for which hydrogen is used for its chemical properties. It is said to be low-carbon when obtained using carbon-free energy.

Elyse Energy manufactures its own hydrogen and uses it to manufacture its low-carbon molecules and e-fuels.

Hydrogen, a critical reagent and intermediate for industry and chemistry

 

Hydrogen – dihydrogen to be precise – is the most abundant element of the universe. At atmospheric pressure, it takes the form of an invisible and odourless gas. Its current use essentially focuses on the chemical and petrochemical sectors for which hydrogen is used for its chemical properties.

 

Hydrogen is thus used as a reagent in crude petroleum refining processes (desulphurisation, hydrogenation), as an intermediate for the production of methanol or ammonia, or as a reducing gas to prevent certain industrial processes from oxidising (e.g. float glass). The global market is estimated at approximately 60 million tonnes per year, including 1 million tonnes on the French market, mainly from natural gas or as a petroleum by-product.

 

An energy carrier essential for the energy transition.

 

In addition to its “material” uses, hydrogen is attracting increasing interest as an energy carrier. Like electricity, hydrogen is not a source of energy, as it must be produced from a primary resource: hydrocarbon as is mostly the case on its traditional markets, but also bioenergy and water.

 

The water electrolysis process, powered by an electric current, allows water molecules to be split into hydrogen and oxygen. In practice, this pathway, which is not yet widespread, establishes a link between the electricity sector, which is rapidly reducing its carbon footprint, and the molecule sector that meets 80% of the world’s energy demand with natural gas, petroleum, or coal. As figured out by Jules Verne in the Mysterious Island, hydrogen found in water can become a key energy carrier, used directly by combustion, in a fuel cell or indirectly, in the form of recomposed molecules such as e-methanol or synthetic kerosene.

How can hydrogene be produced ?

Steam methane reforming

 

Hydrogen is extracted from natural gas (CH4) under the action of superheated water vapour. When exiting the vapour reactor, hydrogen is separated from CO2, which can be captured. This process supplies most of the hydrogen produced worldwide. 

Water electrolysis

 

Water electrolysis consists of breaking down the water molecule (H2O) into dihydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O) using an electric current. This well-known process has been restricted to niche markets due to natural gas competition.

Biomass gasification

 

As with coal, biomass can be gasified and produce, through high-temperature combustion, a mixture of hydrogen and CO, which can be subsequently purified. 

Our

clients

 

We develop, finance, build and operate low-carbon molecule production plants in France and in the iberian peninsula. Discover the application sectors of our products !

Industry
Elyse Energy produces low-carbon molecules such as e-methanol to support manufacturers in their decarbonisation strategies.
Shipping
Elyse Energy wants to help the shipping sector reduce its carbon footprint by producing an alternative marine fuel: e-methanol.  
Air transport
With to its BioTJet project, Elyse Energy and its partners want to provide the airline industry with a sustainable fuel alternative: e-biokerosene.

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