Linde Engineering
With the world’s focus turning toward finding cleaner, more sustainable power sources, hydrogen energy is our future. And Linde is leading the way.
With Linde’s decades of experience working across the entire hydrogen value chain, we serve as a dedicated partner to help your plants and processes work more sustainably, more efficiently and more profitably. From hydrogen as a fuel for mobility, heat and power to its use in energy storage, Linde can help you make hydrogen a key component in your decarbonization plans.
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We KNOW the power of hydrogen.
Although use of hydrogen as a fuel source has been a topic of discussion for a very long time, the climate crisis the world now faces is driving discussion into action. From governments to shareholders to everyday people, the call for companies and industries to start the transition to cleaner energy usage, dramatically decreased emissions and implementation of zero-carbon technologies is growing louder by the day. So, in saying that, what role will hydrogen play in those carbon management journeys?
The Roles of Hydrogen
Because of their abundance and cost, the usage of high carbon-emitting fossil fuels is still pervasive in heavy industries worldwide. However, in light of meeting government regulation, shareholder and public expectations, that is quickly becoming an unsustainable option.
On the brighter side, the more that industry and public policy call for scaling up the hydrogen economy, the more cost-effective technologies are explored and created to drive down the cost of implementation and usage of cleaner solutions like hydrogen. From steel mills to cement production and beyond, hydrogen is quickly being recognized as an energy source and feedstock gas that can help industries decarbonize and facilitate processes and power their operations reliably.
Today, nearly all of the hydrogen consumed in the United States is used by industry for refining petroleum, treating metals, producing fertilizer and processing foods. Sustainable hydrogen as a power and feedstock source can keep these industries moving forward sustainably.
Over the decades, we have transitioned from one carbon-emitting source to another for our power generation. We now find ourselves in a climate crisis that requires more sustainable solutions. To truly decarbonize our utilities and power generation operations, we need sources that are abundant and free of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—like hydrogen.
As one of the most simple and common elements on Earth, hydrogen is a realistic solution for potentially replacing natural gas-fired processes. From re-electrification in gas turbines to fuel cells for hydrogen power to transport in gas grids, hydrogen can play a major role in everything from warming homes and businesses to helping power our communities and everyday lives. And with every implementation, whether it’s pairing hydrogen with renewables, like wind and solar, for green hydrogen or blending it with natural gas to be used with power plant turbines, we are moving closer to reducing the carbon footprint of the electric grid.
From passenger and logistics vehicles to cargo ships and space exploration, hydrogen usage has a long history. Thought of as a critical element in the decarbonization of the transportation sector, as well as a central pillar in the wider energy transition, hydrogen mobility is something that Linde is proud to pioneer through technological innovation.
Today, hydrogen is being used to power transportation both by internal combustion engines and in fuel cells. And with growth in the delivery of gaseous and liquified hydrogen to increased fueling infrastructure, hydrogen as a fuel will become commonplace.
The carbon reduction potential is becoming realized. For instance, vehicles powered by hydrogen produced conventionally from natural gas emit 30 percent fewer CO2 emissions than cars with diesel engines. Taken further with blue or green hydrogen, and the power that hydrogen can provide to keep our transportation industry moving is the future-proof solution we need to help meet climate mitigation goals.
With end-to-end hydrogen infrastructures, Linde is helping to lead the way with our Hydrogen FuelTech high performance technologies. With over 200 hydrogen fueling stations worldwide, we are the market leader for fast, efficient hydrogen fueling solutions.
We CREATE greener solutions for your existing operations.
Hydrogen offers compelling benefits. Whether you utilize it as a low- or zero-emissions source of energy or as a feedstock gas for a vast array of industries and applications, the demand for hydrogen is growing as we move to a truly sustainable future. What’s more, hydrogen supports a gradual transition towards lower-carbon sources of energy. It can be generated from natural gas and non-renewable by-products or from renewables.
Understanding the "colors" of hydrogen.
When working with hydrogen, you must first understand its production sources. To start, steam reforming is the main method used to produce hydrogen on an industrial scale today. In an initial step, feedstocks such as natural gas, LPG or naphtha are combined with steam with the aid of a catalyst to produce synthesis gas. This mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is then further processed.
Hydrogen production and usage can be categorized in three primary ways:
Gray hydrogen
Since fossil fuels are used in this production method, the end product is called gray hydrogen. Gray hydrogen can also be produced through the partial oxidation of refinery residues. This residue material is heated to a very high temperature with oxygen and steam to produce a raw synthesis gas.
Blue hydrogen
If the carbon dioxide (CO2) contained in the synthesis gas is removed in a downstream carbon capture process, the resulting hydrogen is called blue.
Green hydrogen
Green hydrogen is obtained either by steam reforming, if bio-based feedstock is available, or by splitting water by electrolysis. The electricity needed for this process is generated exclusively from renewable sources.
Through our ITM Linde Electrolysis (ILE) joint venture, we are one of the world’s leading suppliers of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer technologies, which means that our customers can rely on Linde for end-to-end, integrated green H2 solutions.
We IMPLEMENT the right processing technologies.
The environmental benefits of hydrogen are powerful—whether you are transitioning to more sustainable solutions within your existing operations or designing a new facility to meet future sustainable requirements. However, working with the right partner is key to finding the best ways to implement it effectively into your facilities. That’s where Linde comes in. We are the only company, worldwide, that designs, owns and operates hydrogen and synthesis gas plants using its own technology.
From studies to capacity expansions to turnkey plants, our service package utilizes the latest in hydrogen technologies, including:
- The entire processing field for the production and treatment of H2
- The utilization of all kinds of petrochemical feedstocks from natural gas to heavy oil all the way to coal for the production of H2
- The entire field of large-scale technological production capacities for H2
We MAKE SENSE of the entire hydrogen value chain.
With our end-to-end experience and expertise, Linde can efficiently and effectively put the entire hydrogen value chain to work for you. From production to processing to distribution and storage, we can customize a plan to increase profitability, build efficiency and lower your carbon footprint. We can even help you pilot applications before their full scale up and implementation.
Production
Processing
Distribution and Storage
Production
We produce hydrogen (H2) from a range of feedstocks and natural resources. Using processes like steam reforming, we generate H2 from natural gas, LPG or naphtha (gray hydrogen). We are also able to offer what is known as blue hydrogen thanks to our carbon capture and storage technologies. In addition, our technologies enable H2 to be generated from renewable energy sources (green hydrogen). We align the feedstock, production capacity, purity and availability levels with our customers’ needs.
Processing
Depending on the target application, the hydrogen we produce will require further processing. Typical steps include the removal of impurities, the separation of carbon dioxide (CO2), compression and/or cryogenic liquefaction. With a broad portfolio of process and engineering technologies, we can find the optimum solution for our customers’ requirements.
Distribution and Storage
Once the hydrogen has been processed, it needs to be transported to the point of use. We have both the technologies and equipment to efficiently transport both gaseous and liquid hydrogen to its destination or to store it until needed. Building on our long-standing expertise in this area, we work closely with our customers to find the perfect fit for every storage and distribution challenge.
Some of the industries WE WORK WITH include:
Refining
Used primarily to remove impurities from crude oil and upgrade heavier crude, refining accounts for around 52% of all hydrogen usage.
Power Generation
From hydrogen-fired gas turbines to a long-term storage solution to support demand, hydrogen is a significant low-carbon solution, especially when combined with renewables for production, for power generation and flexibility in electrical systems.
Chemicals
Hydrogen is central to chemical processes, such as the production of ammonia and methanol production.
Transportation
For commercial and personal transportation like ships, buses, aerospace, trucks and cars, hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles and combustion engines help reduce emissions while increasing efficiency.
Steel
In some steel production, hydrogen is used in the reduction of iron. By using green hydrogen instead of coke derived from coal, we can move closer to producing zero-carbon steel.
Buildings
Hydrogen can be blended into existing multifamily and commercial buildings’ existing natural gas networks for fossil fuel displacement and lower emissions.
Our World and the Future of Hydrogen
The effects of climate change – global warming plus the corresponding shifts in climate patterns – are increasingly visible on the environment, society, and the global economy. Climate change is not a distant threat – it is happening now. Due to its versatility, hydrogen is proving to be a key enabler of the transition to low and zero-carbon energy. Linde has the technologies, expertise and reach to help unlock the massive potential of hydrogen.
Watch the videoThe Future of Mobility with Hydrogen
Hydrogen - a key to sustainable mobility. As a fuel, it can safely provide value equivalent to fossil fuels with higher energy density, less energy consumption and zero CO2 emissions. Linde has been shaping hydrogen mobility from the very beginning.
Watch the videoHydrogen: Powering Our Future
As the world becomes more industrialized and digitized, demand for power generation continues to grow. How can we meet demand while reducing the impact of associated CO2 emissions? Find out how hydrogen can be used as an energy carrier while helping to decarbonize power generation.
Watch the videoHydrogen and the Future of Heavy Industry
The chemical supply chain touches nearly everything we purchase or consume. How can we ensure that it has a lower carbon footprint? Hydrogen can be one of the paths to more sustainable production, both as an energy carrier and a feedstock.
Watch the video
Get our guide to help you navigate your navigate your path to cleaner energy and processes!
Learn how you can make hydrogen a key part of your decarbonization plans. We have put together a comprehensive guide that contains both necessary context and solutions – everything you need to help forge an effective path toward your clean energy goals.
