Bladon partners with Loughborough University; Honeywell sees breakthrough in SMR

Honeywell and ZoneFlow Reactor Technologies have agreed to commercialise ZoneFlow Reactor Technology for hydrogen production.

The technology will provide a step-change improvement in the efficiency and carbon intensity of steam methane reforming for hydrogen production. When coupled with Honeywell H2 Solutions’ carbon capture for hydrogen production, the ZoneFlow technology will make low-carbon hydrogen production more efficient and less expensive.

The ZoneFlow Reactor, a structured catalyst module that replaces conventional catalyst pellets in SMR tubes, provides better heat transfer and pressure drop performance. UOP and Zfrt will cooperate in conducting reactive testing in Zfrt’s large-scale pilot plant at Université Catholique de Louvain in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. The reactive testing will validate the expected 15% increase in throughput over conventional catalyst pellet systems. Results from the pilot plant testing are expected to be available by mid-2022.

In a separate development, Bladon Micro Turbine and Loughborough University have partnered to research and develop a hydrogen-fuelled version of its microturbine generator. The project will significantly advance hydrogen combustion for micro gas turbines and enable Bladon’s modular, upgradeable power generator to operate using 100% hydrogen fuel with ultra-low emissions and zero CO2. The partnership will combine Bladon’s expertise in micro-combustor design with Loughborough University’s outstanding capability, expertise and facilities. The gensets are fuel flexible, currently operating on diesel, kerosene and paraffin, or even a mix of these fuels, without any reconfiguration.

Loughborough University has developed its world-leading National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT), funded by Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Innovate UK (IUK), Rolls-Royce and Loughborough University.