Nu:ionic Technologies- known for their hydrogen production ingenuity, recently reached product development milestone.
This development occurred with the completion of a continuous 48-hour trial run of their proprietary Microwave Catalytic Reformer (MCR). The commercial scale, 100-kilowatt reactor is adaptable for many applications that desire low carbon hydrogen production from various feedstocks such as biogas, natural gas, or renewable ammonia.
Nu:ionic’s innovation has pushed frontiers in zero-emission, and electrified process technologies crucial for energy-intensive applications. These applications range from steam methane reforming (SMR) which negate the need for burning fossil fuels to generate thermal energy. In the words of Jim Tranquilla, the President and Chief Technology Officer, MCR is one of the electrification technologies in their lab offering immediate decarbonization solutions, not future ones.
Nu:ionic plans to install an all-inclusive demonstration unit, complete with hydrogen purification and carbon capture system at a client location in Western Canada. This system is capable of making readily transportable liquid carbon dioxide for reuse or sequestration.
The MCR technology offers several unique advantages. It is perfectly fitted for small-scale, low carbon hydrogen production, between 1-10 tonnes per day, and employs cost-effective hydrogen carriers such as renewable ammonia, methanol, biogas, or natural gas as feedstock. Unlike conventional reformer methods, it uses approximately 30% less natural gas, reducing upstream emissions linked with natural gas exploration, production, and transmission. Moreover, it removes the need for cost-prohibitive post-combustion carbon capture.
