Californian start-up Graphitic Energy has launched a pilot plant at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.
This facility is poised to redefine the production of hydrogen and graphene through the use of methane pyrolysis, a method capable of producing several hundred kilograms of hydrogen and up to 1,000 kilograms of graphene daily.
Methane pyrolysis, the core of this venture, dissects methane into hydrogen and solid carbon at temperatures below 800°C, utilizing a fluidized bed for effective heat transfer. This innovative approach claims to produce energy with virtually no direct CO2 emissions, addressing a crucial environmental concern in hydrogen production. The technology requires minimal electricity, sidestepping the need for renewable energy inputs or geological CO2 sequestration. Graphitic Energy’s process can reportedly scale up to yield 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually within a single unit, suggesting a significant potential impact on the hydrogen market.
Zach Jones, CEO and co-founder of Graphitic Energy, emphasizes the strategic positioning of this innovation within the broader context of American energy production. With the United States as a leading producer of natural gas, the firm capitalizes on its cost-effectiveness and environmental potential, arguing that solid carbon extraction enhances its cleanliness. Such advances promise to augment American energy independence while contributing to global decarbonization efforts.
Graphitic Energy’s venture was propelled by a $15 million Series A funding round, supported by industry heavyweights such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Trafigura. This financial backing underscores the burgeoning investor interest in hydrogen technologies as pivotal components of future energy landscapes.
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