H2SITE, SNAM Co-Develop Membrane Separator for Hydrogen-Natural Gas Mixtures

H2SITE and SNAM will develop a project to separate hydrogen and natural gas mixtures, using H2SITE’s Pd-alloy membrane separator to extract hydrogen from 2-10% concentrations. The project will apply to transmission system operators, distribution system operators, and additional stakeholders seeking hydrogen separation. The Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks, and Environment will support the partnership by promoting the technology’s adoption in Italian markets.

Upon completion, the unit can separate hydrogen at low concentrations with high recovery rates. It represents the largest installation of its kind, decarbonizing the energy sector, utilizing existing pipeline infrastructure, and integrating new infrastructure like salt storage caverns. The project aims to facilitate clean, renewable hydrogen integration.

About the Technology

The Pd-alloy membrane separator will operate at pressures above 50 bar, suitable for large-scale hydrogen storage applications like salt caverns and depleted reservoirs. These storage opportunities ensure compliance with local gas grid regulations and benefit industrial consumers that cannot tolerate high hydrogen concentrations.

Palladium alloy membrane separator; image credit: Ammonia Energy Association

It allows the recovered hydrogen to be integrated directly in fuel cells, hydrogen-to-power solutions such as gas turbines and engines, and high-temperature ovens, in addition to minimizing the hydrogen content in the remaining natural gas. Lower hydrogen content in the natural gas prevents unforeseen alterations in the mixture’s composition. The membrane proved efficient separation of hydrogen from the natural gas stream, enabling the production of high-purity hydrogen and cleaner streams.

H2SITE’s hydrogen separation technology was successfully validated with gas distribution grid operators, demonstrating its transportation compatibility with hydrogen-natural gas mixtures in existing distribution infrastructures.

More H2SITE News

In early March 2024, H2SITE validated the feasibility of its membrane separator technology for separating hydrogen blends ranging from 5% to 20% concentration. This validation took place in a regional distribution system operator (DSO) Nortegas’ gas network, within the larger framework of the H2SAREA project. The installation used palladium-alloy membrane separators that reached a 97% hydrogen recovery rate at 99% purity.

The injection of hydrogen into a natural gas network is a solution that leverages current infrastructure to transport low-carbon, renewable, and pure hydrogen, given that separation of this hydrogen can be carried out at the point of consumption at lower cost. H2SITE has built similar units operating at high pressure levels and is working to develop projects of large scale in Europe. Through the H2SAREA project, H2SITE has successfully demonstrated that the distribution infrastructure is compatible with the transport of hydrogen blends and renewable natural gas. This realization enables the use of pure fuels in sectors where value can be added with the company’s membrane separator technology.

More SNAM News

In April 2024, Baker Hughes was awarded a contract from Snam, booked for Q1 2024, to provide three NovaLT12 gas-turbine-driven compressor trains for a gas compressor station in Sulmona, Italy. The turbines provide the option to run on 100% natural gas or hydrogen blends of up to 10%.

The new gas compressor station is part of Snam’s Adriatic Line pipeline project, in which the first phase was included in Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, under the REpowerEU plan, and deemed eligible for funding. The Adriatic Line project will construct a 425 km long hydrogen-ready pipeline to transport additional energy supplies from Azerbaijan, Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean to northern Europe.