A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spin-out has removed hydrogen from sour gas waste streams at a pilot trial in the Permian Basin, US.

Source: h2-view

Californian-headquartered Thiozen said its in-field chemical cycle pilot unit successfully removed hydrogen sulphide from sour natural gas streams while also generating “zero-emission” hydrogen.

For the trial, the start-up partnered with oil and gas production firm A.C.T. Operating Company to install the technology at a gas-gathering site in the Permian Basin.

Sour gas is natural gas with measurable levels of hydrogen sulphide. Highly toxic and extremely flammable, it is typically found in oil and gas formations, requiring processing to separate it into usable elements.

Marshall Watson, President of A.C.T and Department Chair of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University, said sour gas processing is a “major cost” in energy supply.

Both removing the hydrogen sulphide and producing a new energy stream in hydrogen gas is a major step up in our industry.

Marshall Watson, President of A.C.T and Department Chair of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University

The concentration of hydrogen in sour gas widely varies depending on the specific gas field or source.

Ryan Gillis, co-founder and President of Thiozen, said the company believes its solution could “transform the energy industry” by helping it meet both energy security and decarbonisation goals.

We are proud to provide and entirely new method of producing hydrogen – one that will revolutionise the energy industry and spur the modern hydrogen economy.

Ryan Gillis, co-founder and President of Thiozen