ENGIE Belgium and INEOS Phenol recently launched a pilot project to replace natural gas with hydrogen at a gas-fired power station at the INEOS Phenol site in Antwerp. The first tests have already been successful.
Over the coming decades, important developments will bring about the gradual replacement of natural gas by hydrogen; in the long term, green hydrogen will be generated by renewable energy via electrolysis. For the first time in Belgium, ENGIE is testing the use of hydrogen in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at the INEOS Phenol site in Antwerp. INEOS Phenol is one of the most energy efficient phenolic plants in the world, and has ambitions to further optimise this where possible. Last year, INEOS Phenol Belgium and ENGIE entered into a partnership to work on a pilot project for the gradual replacement of natural gas with hydrogen at their site’s CHP plant. For this, EQUANS will provide consultancy and engineering and fulfil the role of construction partner.
Pilot project
The aim of the ENGIE and INEOS Phenol pilot project is to inject hydrogen into the natural gas supply of a gas turbine, starting at a volume of 10 vol%, subsequently increasing to 20 vol%. ENGIE will act as lead coordinator for the implementation of the project, as well as for the installation and operation of the technology.
Expertise in hydrogen applications
EQUANS has an established expertise in the implementation of small to medium scale hydrogen pilot projects, for example in the industry and maritime sector in Antwerp. We already have a wide range of existing engineering and manufacturing know-how in-house. And we develop tailor-made solutions for our customers at our workshop in Zwijndrecht. In 2020, the INEOS Phenol project called on ENGIE to develop a proof of concept for the construction of a hydrogen injection system on a Siemens gas turbine for the first phase of this project. The Zwijndrecht workshop developed and built an installation or “mixing skid” for mixing hydrogen and natural gas. In collaboration with the various partners, the EQUANS experts took just seven months to develop a design and build a skid.
First tests passed
Recently, the tests for injecting hydrogen into the natural gas line of the CHP plant successfully started. The first phase of the pilot project aims to inject up to 20% hydrogen by volume into the natural gas plant. During the trial period, the hydrogen is to be delivered by road. The mixture is delivered to an unloading installation for hydrogen depressurisation, which transfers the hydrogen to a lower pressure. The hydrogen is then injected into the gas turbine gas supply in a controlled manner via a mixer. The first tests, which evaluated the process and equipment, were carried out with ENGIE Laborelec and ran very smoothly. The initial tests to inject up to 10 vol% hydrogen were successful and are currently being analysed with the goal being to increase the percentage of hydrogen.
The ultimate goal (phase two) would be to produce green hydrogen from the surplus electricity that is generated. This on-site, modular hydrogen production, to be implemented in the upcoming second phase, is the result of a collaboration between EQUANS and INEOS Phenol and it is being looked forward to.
Application for other sectors
This pilot project is the first realisation for the various partners involved, and it could lead to other applications on larger gas turbines and in other industries to reduce CO2emissions and reduce the costs of their production facilities. This modular concept offers possibilities for easy upscaling. It also provides an opportunity for the development of decentralised operations (mobile units) where desired, which is applicable to both onshore and offshore projects. The project is therefore being closely followed by a number of industrial players all over the world.
Accelerating energy transition
This project enables EQUANS to turn its ambitions into reality by offering concrete solutions to customers who want to accelerate their energy transition. These solutions are part of a growing portfolio built on experience and innovation, with application orientation and competitive lead times.
