Green hydrogen
Why hydrogen is the fuel of the future
As 47% of the world’s industries aren’t compatible with electrification, we will need viable alternatives to fully move away from fossil fuels. Clean hydrogen will be one of them. In fact, the growing demand for green and blue hydrogen means that it could represent over 20% of the world’s energy demand by 2050.
Hydrogen is a suitable energy carrier and feedstock for many applications, especially in the hard-to-abate sectors. So, providing that it comes from renewable and low-carbon sources, this could be a vital component on the road to net-zero. We can already see the key role that hydrogen, and its derivatives, will play in several industries, like chemical and steel production. It can also be used as fuel in marine and on/off road transportation sectors, as well as providing flexible power generation.
Green hydrogen solutions
Alfa Laval’s broad portfolio of thermal and separation technologies are ideal solutions for enabling the transition to green hydrogen. In electrolyser production (PEM, Alkaline, or SOEC), we offer efficient plate heat exchangers for cooling electrolytes, hydrogen and oxygen.
Our plate heat exchanger portfolio also includes desalination technologies that allow you to use seawater or river water in your production, which is ideal if you operate an offshore plant. And our heat transfer solutions make it possible to recover and reuse waste heat from the electrolyser to desalinate water, or for other sustainable purposes, such as district heating.
Green hydrogen gives hope for the future
Green hydrogen has long held promise for achieving Europe’s climate targets. Now in Germany, a new pilot project is showing the potential to make this a reality. Using Alfa Laval heat exchangers, Thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers GmbH is testing hydrogen instead of injection coal to reduce CO2 emissions in ongoing blast furnace operations at its Duisburg site. The only thing left over from this new process is water vapor.
This project, which is funded by the German government, uses the metallurgical gases produced during steelmaking to produce chemicals, thus reducing CO2 emissions in both steelmaking and chemical production. Check out the full story to learn more about the critical role Alfa Laval technology has played in this pilot.
Our solutions
Alfa Laval gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers
Alfa Laval’s extensive portfolio of gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers are the ideal choice for the electrolyser in any green hydrogen plant. With their small footprint and high efficiency, our gasketed plate heat exchangers offer a great solution for modularized plants and can simultaneously be expanded to meet future needs. The best-in-class heat transfer capabilities minimize payback time for your heat integration projects. Available in a wide range of materials including iron-free solutions like nickel, these heat exchangers help you to ensure reliable operation throughout the lifetime of the electrolyser.
Alfa Laval printed circuit heat exchangers
Alfa Laval printed circuit heat exchangers offer years of proven performance, combining superior robustness and integrity with an exceptionally high heat transfer rate – all in a unit that’s up to 85% smaller and lighter than comparable shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The durable designs handle pressures up to 1,250 barg (18,125 psig) and temperatures ranging from deep cryogenic duties to very high temperatures. Our unique anti-freezing technology opens up use across the whole hydrogen distribution refuelling station energy chain – from liquid H2 to gas.
Alfa Laval freshwater generators
Alfa Laval freshwater generators (FWG) can provide the best solution for delivering water in the right quality for the electrolysis process, enhancing the lifetime of the electrolyser. The titanium plates ensures high uptime and reliability for the desalination the process. With more than 30,000 units delivered over 60 years in the offshore and marine industries, they ensure reliable operation within the smallest footprint in centralized and decentralized systems for green hydrogen production.
Alfa Laval Zero Liquid Discharge
Alfa Laval ZLD systems are robust, compact solutions designed for the absolute minimization of liquid discharge in a wide range of applications including underground caverns. ZLD systems separate out salt and enable water reuse for injection. via a combination of thermal solutions and separation technology, with the AlfaFlash evaporator at the core of the set up.
Alfa Laval Niagara Wet Surface Air Coolers (WSAC)
Wet Surface Air Coolers (WSAC®) are a perfect fit for all cooling needs in hydrogen compression and transport. They are custom-built, closed-loop evaporative cooling and condensing systems. By direct cooling of the process fluid, a WSAC system can reach lower temperatures and is more compact than any alternative air cooler technology. And since no high-quality fresh water is required, with low-quality waste water instead used as cooling medium, they also offer a very sustainable solution.
Alfa Laval fusion bonded plate exchangers
Our patented AlfaFusion bonding technology creates highly efficient, compact heat exchangers made entirely of stainless steel. Virtually maintenance free and capable of handling high pressures and temperatures, they are an ideal heat transfer solution for challenging applications, including those with temperatures approaching 600°C.
Heat transfer solutions for Fuel cells
Fuel cells are going to be one of the fundamental pieces in solving our energy transition puzzle. Looking for information on polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) or fuel cell solutions for stationary applications? With our extensive experience in thermal technology, Alfa Laval can help you meet the demands of challenging applications.
Heat transfer solutions for power-to-X
Power-to-X involves the conversion of electricity into gaseous and liquid fuels or chemicals, including e-ammonia, e-methanol, methane, green hydrogen and syngas. In this way, it can enable decarbonization for industry, transportation and energy, as well as provide an important energy storage solution. With decades of experience providing solutions to the chemical industry, Alfa Laval can support power-to-X duties with a diverse portfolio of efficient heat exchangers.