Hycamite Technology
Hycamite technology decomposes large volumes of methane into its component elements, hydrogen and carbon.
Thermo-catalytic decomposition (TCD) of
methane
Our proprietary technology is based on the thermo-catalytic decomposition (TCD) of methane molecules. In other words, we break the methane with our proprietary catalyst and heat.
The disruptive and IP protected process developed by Hycamite is based on years of research at the University of Oulu, Finland.
The disruptive and IP protected process developed by Hycamite is based on years of research at the University of Oulu, Finland.
Comparison of different hydrogen production technologies
SMR: steam methane reforming
TCD: thermo-catalytic decomposition
TCD: thermo-catalytic decomposition
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System boundary
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*Flaring not included in the further calculation, low impact on carbon footprint
Source: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by FfE Munich
Source: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by FfE Munich
Sustainable zero-emisson technology
We release no emissions into the atmosphere, our catalysts are sustainable, and our technology requires only 13% of the energy needed to produce hydrogen with electrolysis. Hydrogen and pure, solid carbon are offered in forms useful for industries worldwide. Hydrogen can be used as an industrial raw material or as fuel. Carbon can be used for demanding applications, including Li-ion batteries, concrete, composite materials and filter purifiers.
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
and methane pyrolysis
Hycamite’s technology is a cutting-edge carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Hycamite’s potential to reduce current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
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| Hydrogen consumption in 2020 (Mt H2) | CO2 emissions from H2 production (Mt CO2/a) | |
| USA | 11.3 | 113 |
| EU | 5.8 | 58 |
| Canada | 2.5 | 25 |
| Japan | 1.7 | 17 |
| TOTAL | 21.3 | 213 |
Source: www.statista.com/statistics/1292403/ global-hydrogen-consumption-by-country
If 70% of current SMR hydrogen production is replaced with Hycamite’s TCD hydrogen
Most CCUS technologies provide users with carbon dioxide. Unlike these older CCUS technologies, Hycamite captures carbon in a clean, solid form.
Hycamite’s technology is a new form of methane pyrolysis. Methane pyrolysis splits methane into the elements hydrogen and carbon at elevated temperatures. Hycamite has developed a family of catalysts that lowers the temperature needed for the process compared to older methane pyrolysis methods. It also increases the quality of the solid carbon obtained from hydrocarbon splitting.
Because the quality of the carbon produced by the Hycamite process is high, it is fit for several demanding industrial applications. Most of the carbon is in the form of carbon nanotubes and fibres. Thus, this carbon can be used in many applications, such as lithium-ion batteries. For example, when carbon is used as a substitute in cement, not only will fewer emissions be produced, but also the performance of the concrete will be improved – by up to 140%.
Hycamite’s production is environmentally friendly. There are no emissions into the atmosphere and the catalysts used are sustainable.
Zero-emission hydrogen with less energy
Hycamite’s technology enables the production of low-carbon or even carbon-negative hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced from biomethane, methane from natural gas, or synthetic methane. Using the Hycamite technology, the side streams of the petrochemical industry can also be used as feedstock. If e-methane were made with ambient CO₂ or biomethane, the whole process would be carbon negative.
In pyrolysis technologies, hydrogen is produced from the feedstock. This means far less energy is needed compared to hydrogen production by electrolysis. In the case of Hycamite, only 13% of the energy required for hydrogen production by electrolysis is necessary. Almost half of the energy needed by Hycamite’s process is used for heat, so the waste heat of the customer can be utilised for hydrogen production.
In pyrolysis technologies, hydrogen is produced from the feedstock. This means far less energy is needed compared to hydrogen production by electrolysis. In the case of Hycamite, only 13% of the energy required for hydrogen production by electrolysis is necessary. Almost half of the energy needed by Hycamite’s process is used for heat, so the waste heat of the customer can be utilised for hydrogen production.
Solving the hydrogen storage problem
Methane pyrolysis can solve the challenges of hydrogen storage. The produced hydrogen can be converted to synthetic methane, which can be stored and transported with existing infrastructure. At the end site, this methane can be decomposed without emissions.
Hycamite pyrolysis units can be installed near the hydrogen customer; thus, no time-consuming and expensive infrastructure is needed. The feedstock can be brought to the site using existing methane pipelines and converted on site.
Hycamite pyrolysis units can be installed near the hydrogen customer; thus, no time-consuming and expensive infrastructure is needed. The feedstock can be brought to the site using existing methane pipelines and converted on site.
Hycamite is sustainable and ready for use
Hycamite’s production is environmentally friendly. There are no emissions into the atmosphere, and the catalysts are sustainable. The Hycamite technology enables recycling of the client’s industrial side streams.
Hycamite is a leading methane pyrolysis developer; our pilot plant is already up and running. Hycamite is also planning to start building an industrial-scale demonstration site this year. The site will have a nominal capacity of 2 kton of hydrogen per year, comparable to a 20 MW electrolyser. Significantly larger units will be built soon.
Hycamite is a leading methane pyrolysis developer; our pilot plant is already up and running. Hycamite is also planning to start building an industrial-scale demonstration site this year. The site will have a nominal capacity of 2 kton of hydrogen per year, comparable to a 20 MW electrolyser. Significantly larger units will be built soon.
OUR PROCESS
Methane Pyrolysis
Our proprietary technology is based on the thermocatalytic decomposition (TCD) of methane molecules.
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OUR PRODUCTS
Clean hydrogen
Hycamite decarbonises industrial production by replacing existing steam methane reforming (SMR) process in hydrogen production.
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Solid carbon
The Hycamite carbon products are based on electrically conductive carbon nanoproducts making them ideal for demanding applications.
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