Ekona Power has achieved its 2023 performance targets for the xCaliber methane pyrolysis reactor.
After rigorous testing at its Burnaby facility over the past several months, Ekona’s groundbreaking reactor has not only met internal performance milestones but is also poised for the next phase of development.
Ekona’s xCaliber reactor employs methane pyrolysis in an innovative manner, showcasing a novel design that utilizes pulsed combustion and high-speed gas dynamics to split natural gas into clean hydrogen and solid carbon. This transformative approach brings carbon and greenhouse gas management closer to reality, presenting a viable solution deployable wherever natural gas infrastructure exists.
Ekona’s journey began in 2020 when the company first demonstrated the concept of its methane pyrolysis reactor. Subsequent scaling efforts in 2022 led to a remarkable output capacity of 200 kg of hydrogen per day, accompanied by crucial system development. In 2023, Ekona integrated the reactor with key balance-of-plant equipment to assess performance and integration, paving the way for the next stage.
Buoyed by the success of the Burnaby pilot system, Ekona sets its sights on deploying a one-tonne-per-day clean hydrogen production plant in collaboration with an industrial partner in 2024. The commissioning and operational testing are slated for 2025, with the first commercial deployments earmarked for 2026.
As the world strives for decarbonization and achieving net-zero targets, Ekona’s methane pyrolysis reactor emerges as a beacon of innovation, presenting a pathway to cleaner hydrogen production and a sustainable energy future.
