Overview
This project assesses the impact of replacing natural gas with hydrogen in heavy industry. Gradual replacement of natural gas with increasing amounts of hydrogen present unknown risks to heavy industrial processes. These include aspects of materials compatibility and impacts on process chemistry and performance. This project will evaluate the effect of utilisation of increasing concentrations of hydrogen, with a view to better understand the potential impacts on industrial infrastructure and equipment, process performance, economics, and impacts on hydrogen demand from a regional hub perspective.
Project Details
The project will focus on reviewing and evaluating materials for plant infrastructure, assets and equipment and the impact of various hydrogen concentrations on these materials, and the performance of the plant –starting at low concentrations but considering important thresholds up to 100% hydrogen.
It will also develop a comprehensive knowledge base to support decision making by industry participants and determine direction of further research efforts and enable industry partners to better understand risks and costs of implementation and technical aspects and challenges associated with hydrogen energy utilisation, at various extents of hydrogen integration.
Identified Pathways
New technology to accommodate multiple energy sources and offer flexibility in switching between them
Outcomes
The outcome of this work will provide input to industrial partners to make informed decisions regarding the use of hydrogen, to evaluate and manage risks associated with increasing hydrogen content, and to identify and design more detailed projects that support hydrogen routes for decarbonisation. This work will also interface with related activities in HILT CRC by considering the potential for hydrogen replacement to impact regional demand for clean hydrogen.