Hiiroc's Innovative Plasma Process Revolutionizing Hydrogen Production at CEMEX Rugby Plant
Key Ideas
- CEMEX partners with Hiiroc to implement a plasma-based hydrogen production process at their Rugby plant, set for operation by January 2026.
- Hiiroc's process uses plasma torches to split hydrocarbons into hydrogen and solid carbon black, offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional methods.
- The modular and containerized nature of the process allows for easy integration into existing infrastructure, potentially reducing fuel-related emissions by over 50% at the Rugby plant.
- The project not only aims at decarbonizing operations but also exploring additional revenue streams through the sale of carbon black to various industries and investigating alternative applications for the byproduct.
CEMEX is planning to implement an innovative process developed by Hiiroc at its Rugby cement plant in the UK to produce hydrogen using plasma technology. The process, set to be operational by January 2026, is considered more efficient than traditional methods, requiring less electricity and producing no CO2. The process involves thermal plasma electrolysis to split hydrocarbons into hydrogen and solid carbon black, which can be used as an additive in cement production or sold for various other applications. The modular design of the process allows for easy integration into existing infrastructure, potentially reducing fuel-related emissions by over 50% at the Rugby plant. CEMEX aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and sees the Hiiroc process as a key step towards decarbonization. Additionally, the project not only focuses on reducing carbon footprint but also explores ways to monetize the byproducts, especially the significant volume of carbon black produced. Hiiroc's partnership with Siemens for advanced control technology further emphasizes the potential for this plasma-based process in the industrial decarbonization landscape.