Honeywell announced Honeywell liquid organic H₂ carrier (LOHC), a solution that enables the long-distance transportation of clean H₂. This cost-effective solution can help meet the growing requirements for H₂ use across various industries by leveraging existing refinery and transportation infrastructure.

While H₂ is expected to play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, at standard conditions, it is a flammable gas with low density and cannot be transported efficiently in a gaseous form. Current solutions for transport include liquified H₂ and chemical carriers such as ammonia, which would require additional infrastructure to accommodate new volume. Honeywell UOP’s LOHC solution utilizes existing refining assets and infrastructure to create and transport the carrier.

In the Honeywell LOHC solution, H₂ gas is combined chemically through the Honeywell UOP Toluene Saturation Process into a convenient liquid carrier compatible with existing infrastructure. The carrier can then be transported in the same way as gasoline or similar hydrocarbons. Once at its destination, the H₂ is recovered from the carrier using the Honeywell UOP Methylcyclohexane DeH2ation Process. Existing idle oil refining assets can be revamped to release the H₂ from the liquid carrier for use in multiple commercial and industrial applications. The carrier used in the Honeywell LOHC solution is readily available and requires minimal makeup.

“With increased focus on companies reducing their carbon dioxide footprint and growing the H₂ economy, Honeywell LOHC can offer a long-distance transport option that can kickstart H₂ ecosystems,” said Bryan Glover, President, Honeywell UOP. “Our LOHC solution can aid in the energy transition because it utilizes existing refining assets and offers comprehensive solutions across the H₂ value chain. From production and conversion, transmission, and storage, to distribution and use, our ready-now solution can be used to make operations safer, more efficient, and more reliable.”