One of the cogeneration engines in the Cáseda production plant that provides hot water, steam, and electricity to this production center has “successfully” finished Viscofan’s testing to use green hydrogen as fuel.
According to a press statement from the company, this research marks a “global pioneer milestone” in the use of green hydrogen as a source of energy for an industrial process.
With the help of Bergen Engines, Viscofan has recently updated its cogeneration engines and has given itself access to “the most efficient engines, with the ability for the mixed-use of natural gas and hydrogen in various variables.” “To validate the efficiency and dependability of the motors in continuous usage with the same power supply requirements of the production plant in Cáseda” was the stated goal of this test.
Since November 21, fuel mixing has been done in a B36:45L6AG type Bergen engine until a mixed value of 15% hydrogen and 85% natural gas has been reached. Today, it is possible to analyze how the aforementioned fuel mixture improves the engine’s performance, emissions, and behavior because many engine operating characteristics have been confirmed.
The first Bergen Engines engines in the world to do these green hydrogen tests in a manufacturing process are the Viscofan cogeneration engines at Cáseda. The responsible parties and the Viscofan cogeneration team have also worked with specialists from Bergen Engines from the delegation in Spain as well as staff posted from the headquarters in Norway to complete these tests.
Again, Nippon Gases (www.nippongases.com), which is in charge of temporary installation, transportation, and supply of hydrogen, as well as Electroqumicas de Hernani (www.ehersa.com), which is in charge of producing hydrogen from renewable sources, have provided assistance with the supply of green hydrogen.
A temporary installation of two hydrogen semi-trailers with a combined capacity of roughly 4,000 Nm3 of hydrogen compressed at 200 bar each and 400 Nm3/h of hydrogen flow rate was carried out.
Since each cubic meter of natural gas replaced stops generating 2.15 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere, using hydrogen as a fuel “allows us to minimize the carbon footprint of the combustion processes,” therefore “the contribution to the reduction of the carbon footprint is instantaneous.” Performing this test “has resulted in a save of 63 tons of CO2, equivalent to more than 7,660 tons of CO2 per year,” according to the study.
According to José Antonio Canales, CEO of the Viscofan Group, these tests “offer confirmation that Viscofan is now prepared to lead the energy transition in addition to being a historic milestone in our decarbonization strategy.” He said that in order to use green hydrogen, “our will and dedication must be matched by problems that have not yet been answered, such as the production of green hydrogen at a competitive cost and continuous transit to our facilities.”
“We are quite delighted with the results of the testing and the outstanding partnership with Viscofan,” remarked Jon Erik Rov, CEO of the Bergen Engines Group. He emphasized that the test “confirms Bergen Engines’ steadfast commitment to continue developing the essential technologies to ensure the best efficiency and utilization of hydrogen in our engines.”
ACTION PLAN FOR SUSTAINABILITY BY THE VISCOFAN GROUP
The Viscofan Group’s Sustainability Action Plan, which has the goal of reducing the kilograms of CO2 produced per kilometer by 30% by 2030 compared to the emissions made at the plan’s beginning in 2018, includes this “pioneering milestone in an industrial process” as part of its decarbonization and fight against climate change initiatives.
Viscofan has contributed 4.2 million euros to Cáseda since the plan’s inception in order to buy new cogeneration engines and boilers that can run on green hydrogen. Additionally, it is anticipated that two additional steam-producing boilers will be converted to use hydrogen during the first quarter of 2023.
The test’s outcomes “indicate that Viscofan is now ready for the consumption of green hydrogen at its facilities,” according to the company. Viscofan also works with a variety of organizations “to advance the energy transition in our industry, where the legislative framework is still being established, and the certainty of production and transport for the continuing use of green hydrogen in Spain.”
