Pure hydrogen does not exist in nature, but is present in combination with other elements
in the form of water, hydrocarbons and biomass. There are two main methods used to produce
this gas: electrolysis of water and the reforming of hydrocarbon feeds, which accounts for 95% of production worldwide. As a pioneer in this industry, Technip has its own proprietary technology called Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). This process encourages natural gas – and other light hydrocarbons – to react with water vapor at high temperature in the presence of a catalyst to release hydrogen from the hydrocarbon and from part of the water. Demand for hydrogen, which is seen as a clean energy source, is increasing at an annual rate of 3.5%, most of which is met by refinery applications using SMR technology. Three centers of expertise Simon Barendregt, Vice President, Group Hydrogen Product Line and Technology, believes that this demand is being driven by environmental regulation: “Amendments to the 1990
U.S. Clean Air Act call for the production of clean fuels, which in turn requires the use of hydrogen to produce low-sulfur gasoline and diesel. This policy has since been adopted by many other countries.” Since the 1960s, Technip has constructed more than 250 hydrogen units worldwide and currently operates three centers of expertise: Claremont (California, USA), New Delhi (India) and Zoetermeer (The Netherlands). With 19 projects now underway in the Asia Pacific region, the USA and Europe, the Group is the confirmed leader in this global market. In 1992, Technip signed a strategic alliance with the industrial gases supplier Air Products for the design and construction of hydrogen production units to meet the needs of the company’s customers. This alliance was the first of its kind, and has so far resulted in the construction of more than 30 units.