Viscofan carries out the first tests with green hydrogen on Bergen Engines cogeneration engines

Viscofan has successfully completed the tests to use green hydrogen as fuel in one of the cogeneration engines located in the production plant of Cáseda (Spain) that serves to provide hot water, steam and electricity to this production center.

In recent years, Viscofan has renewed its cogeneration engines, and in collaboration with Bergen Engines has equipped itself with the most efficient engines, with capacity for the mixed use of natural gas and hydrogen in variable percentages.

The objective of this test was to check the efficiency and reliability of the motors in continuous use with the same energy supply requirements of the production plant in Cáseda. Since last Monday, November 21st, fuel blending has been carried out to reach a mixed value of 15% hydrogen and 85% natural gas in an engine of the Bergen firm type B36:45L6AG. These days the different operating parameters of the engine have been verified to carry out a study of the improvement in emissions, performance and behavior of the engine with the aforementioned fuel mixture.

Viscofan‘s cogeneration engines in Cáseda are the first Bergen Engines engines in the world to carry out these green hydrogen tests in a production process. To carry out these tests, Viscofan’s managers and cogeneration team also had the collaboration of Bergen Engines technicians from the delegation in Spain, as well as personnel from the headquarters in Norway.

As for the supply of green hydrogen, again it has the support of Nippon gases in charge of the temporary installation, transport and supply of hydrogen and with Electroquímicas de Hernani that has been responsible for the production of hydrogen with renewable origin. A temporary installation of two hydrogen semi-trailers has been carried out with an approximate capacity each of 4,000 Nm3 of compressed hydrogen at 200 bar, progressively increasing hydrogen flows of 400 Nm3 / h were used.

The use of hydrogen as a fuel reduces the carbon footprint of combustion processes, since each cubic meter of natural gas replaced stops emitting 2.15 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere, so the contribution to reducing the carbon footprint is immediate. In fact, the realization of this test has meant a saving of 63 tons of CO2, equivalent to more than 7,660 tons of CO2 per year.

For José Antonio Canales, CEO of the Viscofan Group: “These tests, in addition to being a historic milestone in our decarbonisation project, also represent the confirmation that Viscofan is already prepared to lead the energy transition. Our will and commitment to the consumption of green hydrogen must be accompanied by unresolved challenges such as the production of green hydrogen at a competitive cost and continuous transport to our facilities.

Jon Erik Røv, CEO of the Bergen Engines Group, said: “We are very satisfied with the result of the tests and the excellent collaboration with Viscofan. This test confirms Bergen Engines’ firm commitment to continue developing the technology necessary to ensure the best efficiency and the use of hydrogen in our engines.”

This milestone, pioneer in an industrial process, is part of Viscofan’s project of decarbonization and fight against climate change, considered in the Sustainability Action Plan of the Viscofan Group, which expects to reduce by 30% the CO2 per produced kilometer in 2030, regarding the emissions at the beginning of the Plan in 2018.

Since the plan was put to action, Viscofan has invested in Cáseda €4.2 million in the purchase of new co-generation engines and boilers with capacity for the use of green hydrogen as a fuel. Additionally, it is expected that during the first quarter of 2023, two other steam production boilers will be adapted for hydrogen consumption.

The results of this test confirm that Viscofan is already prepared for the consumption of green hydrogen in its facilities. Additionally, Viscofan collaborates with different institutions to promote the energy transition in our sector, where it is pending the definition of the regulatory framework, and the assurance of production and transport for the continuous use of green hydrogen in Spain.