Hydrogen production and transport
In the long term, the use of hydrogen could represent an alternative to fossil fuels in the transport sector. There are, however, a number of significant scientific, technological and economic hurdles to be overcome before this option can be developed.
IFP is contributing to the emergence of this new field, particularly through the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels or renewable fuel sources, with CO2 capture and storage.
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Production of hydrogen from natural gas
As part of the European Cachet project, IFP is developing a large-capacity natural gas steam reforming process which is compact and highly energy-efficient, as well as advanced purification processes combined with CO2 recovery.
Research conducted in 2008 has led to an improvement in the energy efficiency of the process and notably a reduction in the required level of investment. The reactor-exchanger technology at the heart of the system has been mechanically validated. In addition, a technical and economic assessment of the process within the context of use for hydrogen production in the refinery was carried out, demonstrating the benefits of using the technology for this application.
Production of hydrogen from bioethanol
IFP is also working on the development of decentralized hydrogen production processes using bioethanol. Work to develop a liquid feed autothermal reforming technology continued in partnership with HyRadix. The construction of a pilot generator was finalized in 2008. This pilot unit operated using ethanol at the end of 2008 and the full demonstration is to have been completed in 2009.
The process, which is highly integrated from an energy point of view, is aimed at the industrial hydrogen market and can also supply fuel cells for use in decentralized electricity production.
Transporting hydrogen
Perfecting innovative tests for pipeline steel
One way of reducing the cost of transporting gas, particularly hydrogen, would be to increase the service pressure in pipelines.
To do this, steel with a high yield stress is required. IFP is working to perfect qualification tests that could replace the Charpy test, which is no longer adequate given the major changes in these materials.
Studying the effects of dihydrogen on pipeline steel
The damaging effects of hydrogen on steel can be controlled but the impact of dihydrogen is less clearly understood. IFP is investigating whether this molecule is able to penetrate steel through surface imperfections. IFP’s researchers are also studying what effect this penetration would have on the mechanical resistance of the steel.
Reducing friction in pipelines
Charge losses in pipelines are mainly the result of friction on the pipe’s walls.
The application of an ultra-smooth polymer coating is one way to reduce these frictional forces. A more efficient option is to structure the coating so as to create perfectly aligned strips which channel the turbulence.
The Nathuralhy project (supported by the European Union) and Ready (an initiative of the National Research Agency) are:
- studying the behaviour of these coatings in hydrogen environments,
- developing technologies to implement and structure these coatings.
+ Industrial development > IFP's offer in hydrogen production
+ Further information on the Cachet European project:
Cachet : New european research program on capture and geological storage of CO2
(Press release - 12 October 2006)
+ Further information on the cooperation between IFP and HyRadix :
HyRadix and IFP Partner To Reform Liquid Feeds To Hydrogen
(Press release - 28 February 2006)
