HyCarb is a development partnership backed by Amsterdam-based Torrgas, which already has more similar projects in the Netherlands. “We have experience in producing syngas, green CO2, biochar and steam from waste streams,” said Erwin Eijmans, co-founder of Torrgas. “We can make green hydrogen from these, among other things. There is a large demand for it in Delfzijl, especially in industry, as a feedstock as well as a fuel.”
The raw material for the plant comes from residual streams such as scrap wood and prunings. Within a few years, the company plans to start using roadside grass as well. The technology used has been proven in several demo plants that Torrgas has already built with the Dutch national gas company, Gasunie.
Syngas
Torrefaction, the oxygen-free heating and gasification of pretreated biomass residual streams, produces syngas. This is a mixture of mainly hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A reaction with steam extracts even more green hydrogen from this syngas. The entire process is CO2-negative and saves a total of about 300,000 tons of CO2 per year. Erwin Eijmans: “We can scale up relatively easily thanks to the use of torrefied biogas feedstock and produce syngas at an attractive cost. This project is very promising.”
According to the plans, the new production site will supply some 15,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. Preparations are currently underway, including permit applications, engineering, assembling a team and purchasing the land. The NOM is co-financing this because, says investment manager Sytze Hellinga, “HyCarb fits beautifully into our green ambition and that of Chemport Europe to make fossil-free materials that we all use every day.”
For more information, visit the NOM and Torrgas websites.
Image: NOM
