- The new unit has a capacity of 30,000 Nm3/hour and will produce over 220 million m3 of hydrogen annually.
- It will supply hydrogen for 15 years to Erg Med’s and ExxonMobil’s refineries in Italy.
- Air Liquide invested approximately €45 million in this unit.
- Hydrogen will be used to reduce sulphur in gasoline and diesel.
Hydrogen Production and Environmental Impact
Most hydrogen is used in hydro conversion and fuel desulphurization processes to produce gasoline and diesel with lower sulphur content. The hydrogen supplied by Air Liquide to refineries globally enabled a reduction of approximately 700,000 tonnes of sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions in 2006, surpassing the total SOx emissions of a country like France in one year.
New Hydrogen Unit in Italy
Over the past six years, Air Liquide has planned to build 16 new large hydrogen production units worldwide. The Group recently started operations at its new production unit in Priolo Gargallo, Italy. This unit, located within Erg Med’s refinery (ERG Group), has a capacity of 30,000 Nm3/hour and is expected to produce over 220 million m3 of pure hydrogen annually.
Supply Agreement and Investment
The new unit will supply hydrogen for the next 15 years to two refineries in Italy’s Augusta-Priolo petrochemicals district: Erg Med’s refinery and ExxonMobil’s (Esso Italiana’s) refinery. Air Liquide has invested approximately €45 million in this new unit.
Application in Refineries
The hydrogen produced will be used in the hydroconversion plant to reduce the amount of sulphur in the gasoline and diesel produced at these refineries, contributing to cleaner fuel production and reduced environmental impact.
