Blue Hydrogen

Carbon-Neutral Blue Hydrogen Can Be More Than a Bridge in a Transformed Hydrogen Economy

“Many advocates for a hydrogen economy believe “green” hydrogen, which is produced through electrolysis (to split water) using renewable energy, will eliminate the need to curtail wind and solar generation. However, there are many reasons why “blue” hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas while using carbon capture technology to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, could be a better long-term option for hydrogen production.” (Power Magazine, May 3, 2021)

“Colors of hydrogen denote how hydrogen is produced. Green versions are made by electrolyzing water using renewable energy—wind, solar or biomass. Grey uses natural gas, which becomes blue if the carbon dioxide is captured and stored. Right now, in most places, green hydrogen is much more expensive to produce, costing between $9 to $19 a kilogram, according to an International Council on Clean Transportation study. That compares with $3/kg for blue and $1.50/kg for gray, according to Adam Collins at brokerage Liberum Capital. The cost of green hydrogen is expected to halve by 2030 as the technology is scaled up and renewables become more plentiful." (The Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2020)

“Grey” hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas and coal, releases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere, thus contributing to global warming. “Blue” hydrogen, which is also produced from natural gas and coal, captures those emissions, and stores them underground to prevent them from contributing to global warming. For that reason, "blue" hydrogen production [that uses Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)] is emerging as an important strategy to get to ‘net-zero’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mid-century for combating global warming, since "grey" hydrogen production releases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming, and "green" hydrogen, as of now, is much more expensive to produce than "blue" hydrogen.

According to The Wall Street Journal (May 18, 2021), only 0.1% of the global hydrogen production is currently carbon-free; most comes from natural gas and coal. That means that there is a great business opportunity in producing ‘blue’ hydrogen.

A&A Consulting Team of high-level and seasoned consultants, and collaborators, are available to help your company on all aspects of its Blue Hydrogen projects, including, but not limited to:

Brainstorming with (or an introductory course for) your company's managers and professionals on Blue Hydrogen value chain
Blue Hydrogen Production Methodologies
Autothermal reforming (ATR) and/or steam methane reforming (SMR) with carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Produced Hydrogen storage methodologies / strategies (when there is no immmediate market for it or when it makes business sense to store it for use/sale later):
Convert Produced Hydrogen at source to ammonia and then store that ammonia in cryogenic tanks maintained at around -33 ^oC. Hydrogen and ammonia are stored in liquid form, hydrogen requiring cryogenic tanks maintained at -253 ^oC, while ammonia requires less cooling and can be stored at around -33 ^oC.

Produced Hydrogen storage in salt domes (technology for gas storage in salt domes is well-established). Thereafter produce/take out Hydrogen from salt domes, whenever required.
Produced Hydrogen storage in depleted gas reservoirs (technology for gas storage in depleted gas reservoirs is well-established). Thereafter produce/take out Hydrogen Enriched Natural Gas (HENG) from gas reservoirs, whenever required.
CO₂ / Carbon Capture Methodologies
CO₂ Storage Methodologies / Strategies:
CO₂ Storage in depleted gas reservoirs [for enhanced gas recovery (EGR) + CO₂ geosequestration]
CO₂ Storage in depleted oil reservoirs [for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) + CO₂ geosequestration]
CO₂ Storage in deep saline formations (for CO₂ geosequestration)

CO₂ Storage in unconventional formations (shales, coal beds, basalts, hydrates) (for CO₂ geosequestration)

To put the high-level and seasoned consultants, subject matter experts (SME), of A&A Consulting Team, and collaborators, to work on your company's challenging Blue Hydrogen projects, please Contact Us.