PCC H2 granted patent on ethanol to H2 conversion
PCC Hydrogen (“PCC H2”) is pleased to announce the issuance of its patented hydrogen production technology (US Patent 11,649,549) for coupling an electrolyzer system with a catalytic adiabatic reactor to convert ethanol into hydrogen.
By leveraging ethanol’s biogenic characteristics and capturing the pure CO2 byproduct of the PCC H2 hydrogen production process, the Company can produce a negative carbon index hydrogen product. Hydrogen generated from the PCC H2 process can be used in myriad applications ranging from hydrogen combustion engines to fuel cells (fuel cell powered loaders, trucks, other rolling stock, and fuel cells in non-grid connected BEV charging stations). Furthermore, PCC H2 is exploring the use of its hydrogen to lower the emissions profile of any heating/calcining process.
“The issuance of this patent solidifies PCC Hydrogen’s competitive advantage in the low-cost production of net-negative CO2 hydrogen from ethanol. By making ethanol-derived hydrogen ubiquitously available near the point of need, PCC Hydrogen will become a key contributor to the wide adoption of hydrogen as a clean fuel,” said Tim Fogarty.
Dr. Jeffrey Harrison, also pointed out, “The cost of transporting hydrogen gas or liquified hydrogen is very expensive, but for ethanol, the transport, delivery, handling and storage are largely compatible with existing infrastructure and relatively inexpensive. With our conversion technology, ethanol can be a valuable source of hydrogen for distributed generation in locations proximal to the point of use.” Dr. Harrison added that “while the immediate focus is on ethanol as a feedstock, the technology is equally applicable to renewable sources of natural gas from landfills and anaerobic digesters. The ability to easily capture the pure carbon dioxide byproduct of the production process opens the door to producing blue hydrogen from conventional natural gas while emitting no greenhouse gases.”
PCC Hydrogen is working to commercialize its hydrogen production process with plans underway for a pilot facility in Indiana.
