US firm claims ‘ultra-low carbon’ blue hydrogen process

Known as ⁸RH₂, the technology at the core of the process is a CO2 Convective Reformer (CCR) developed by UK chemical engineer Rodney Allam, one of the pioneers of the Allam-Fetvedt-Cycle (AFC). According to 8 Rivers, ⁸RH₂ builds on the AFC, taking natural gas and combusting it with pure oxygen. The CO2 produced in the combustion process acts as a heat transfer medium, allowing it to be sequestered without the need for amine or cryogenic-based CCS methods. 8 Rivers said this will allow ‘ultra-low carbon’ cost-competitive blue hydrogen production at scale.

“At 8 Rivers, we are dedicated to accelerating the global transition to a sustainable energy landscape,” said Cam Hosie, CEO of 8 Rivers.

“This breakthrough in hydrogen technology is a testament to our commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship. We are excited to collaborate with partners and stakeholders to deploy the ⁸RH₂ technology worldwide and to drive the transition to Net Zero on a global scale.”

According to 8 Rivers, its blue hydrogen can be turned into ultra-low carbon ammonia, which it views as key for decarbonising a range of sectors as well as being much easier to transport and store than hydrogen. Ammonia production accounts for around two per cent of total final energy consumption and 1.3 per cent of global CO2 emissions, with the vast majority of today’s ammonia coming via steam methane reforming of natural gas (grey hydrogen production) where there is no carbon capture.

Green ammonia – or in this case blue ammonia with 99 per cent CO2 capture – can be used to produce decarbonised fertiliser, low-carbon maritime fuels and as a low-carbon feedstock fuel to replace coal in existing power infrastructure. Ammonia can be stored at relatively modest pressures of 10-15 bar and has an existing global distribution network. 8 Rivers said ⁸RH₂-produced ammonia will provide a transportable low-carbon source of hydrogen and can be easily ‘cracked’ back into H2 at its destination after transporting, if necessary.