DNV GL has launched an international industry consortium in collaboration with Dutch glass production expert company Celsian to develop the technology required for a gradual transition from natural gas to hydrogen as a fuel in energy-intensive industrial production processes.
The program provides an important building block for the successful rollout of the sustainable hydrogen value chain.
A major challenge for energy-intensive industrial production processes, for example in the glass, food and ceramic sectors, is to make existing heating processes carbon-free. As electrification is often not an option, a fast and sustainable route to reduce the carbon intensity for industrial heating processes is to substitute natural gas by hydrogen.
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DNV GL – Oil & Gas project leader Sander Gersen said, “Existing burner and burner control technology to decarbonise industrial production processes are not yet market-ready, despite great interest and the advantages of hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel in high-temperature industries. Our programme aims to have new burner concepts available within two years.”
The two-year programme is a unique collaboration in the introduction of hydrogen as a fuel for industrial use, aiming to contribute fundamental improvements to existing industrial heating processes to make the gradual transition from natural gas to hydrogen fast and cost-efficiently.
The industry consortium comprises more than 30 private and public partners throughout the hydrogen value chain, including industrial end users, technology suppliers, fuel suppliers and traders, gas transport companies, knowledge institutes and the Dutch government.
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DNV GL – O&G Netherlands Johan Knijp said, “Together with our partners, we are looking at how we can best integrate new technology in industrial processes and hydrogen value chains.
“At the same time, we are gathering data and practical experience by conducting field demonstrations in various industrial environments. Right now, we are laying the foundation at DNV GL’s laboratories in Groningen.
“Subsequently, we will prepare for a field demonstration where the new technology is integrated into the industrial production processes of participating companies.”
