Viscofan tests green hydrogen in boilers; Clean Air Power releases new injector range
Viscofan project is a significant milestone in using green hydrogen as a source of energy in industrial processes.
Viscofan (a Spanish manufacturer of casings for meat products) today (23rd September) has completed the tests using green hydrogen in one of their boilers.
The tests which are conducted in the production plant based in Cáseda (Navarre) aimed to test the partial substitution of the natural gas with hydrogen. The tests used two hydrogen semitrailers with an approximate capacity of 4,000 Nm3 compressed hydrogen at 200 bar.
The tests used a 20-tonne steam boiler made by Umisa and installed in March of 2021. The boiler’s maximum hydrogen capacity (allows 50% natural gas and 50% hydrogen) was reached, implied hydrogen flow up to 900 Nm3.
The trial is part of Viscofan’s decarbonisation project, aiming to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030. The company has invested € 4.2 million in Cáseda to acquire new co-generation engines and boilers that are compatible with green hydrogen as a fuel. It is assessed that substituting one natural gas cubic meter prevents 2.15 kg of CO2 to the atmosphere.
The results now confirm that Viscofan is ready to use green hydrogen in its facilities. Its next step is to collaborate with other partners for the smooth transition to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework and stable green hydrogen supply in Spain.
Nippon Gases helped Viscofan in the temporary installation, freight and supply of hydrogen, whereas Electroquimicas De Hernani was responsible for producing hydrogen produced from renewable sources.
José Antonio Canales, Viscofan Group’s CEO, said that although we have proved the use of green hydrogen in our facilities, the challenge of green hydrogen production and consistent supply to our facilities is yet to be solved.
In a separate development, Clean Air Power, at its 25th anniversary, has released a new internal combustion hydrogen injector range, called DigiJet, replacing its ServoJet products. The injector digitally controls hydrogen gas flow into engines, includes a high-pressure direct hydrogen injector that complements Clean Air Power’s existing injector options. The new range can be across a wide range of industries, including on-road, off-highway, rail, maritime and motorsport and can be offered in configurations and ratings to suit a range of applications.
