While fuel-switching to hydrogen is the long-term solution for many hard-to-abate processes such as steel, glass and cement production, there are other proven existing technologies that we can use to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions today. These are ‘no-regrets/low-regrets’ strategies that can help businesses take the first steps toward reducing carbon emissions.
Fuel-switching and intensifying processes When devising a decarbonisation strategy, it makes sense to do the easier things first. Being more efficient with the use of any fuel falls into that category as using less fuel emits less carbon.
Process intensification is the key to doing more with less. One approach is to burn a fuel using pure oxygen, or a mixture of oxygen and recirculated flue gas, instead of air. This approach intensifies the combustion process, which reduces fuel consumption and can deliver better temperature uniformity. Depending on the nature of the process it is possible to reduce fuel consumption by between 10% and 50%, with a consequent reduction in carbon.
Other applications that burn natural gas may be candidates for a ‘blending’ approach to fuel switching where hydrogen is mixed with the natural gas before combustion. Trials in the UK are underway to demonstrate that blending up to 20% volume of hydrogen with natural gas is a safe and lower-carbon alternative for home cooking and heating appliances.