Graforce Methane Plasmalysis and Turquoise Hydrogen
- Industrial turquoise hydrogen production started in Austria in summer 2023.
- Methane Plasmalyzer® splits methane at over 1,500 °C into hydrogen and solid carbon in an electric plasma reactor.
- Energy demand ≈10 kWh/kg H₂ at reactor level and ≈15 kWh/kg including auxiliaries; production costs ≈2–3 €/kg H₂, carbon sales up to €450/t.
- First industrial plant in test operation; continuous operation planned from 2026 and modular 500‑kW units enable scaling.
What turquoise hydrogen is
Turquoise hydrogen is produced by plasmalysis of methane, yielding hydrogen and solid carbon instead of CO₂. The feedstock can be natural, biogas or landfill gas; the process uses renewable electricity and avoids the steam-reforming CO₂ route, combining lower energy demand with fuel-derived feedstock flexibility.
Technology
Graforce's Methane Plasmalyzer® uses an electric plasma field operating above 1,500 °C to split methane. The reactor architecture uses formed graphite interior structures and thermal management to withstand the plasma's rotating-arc conditions and prevent deposits, enabling continuous, industrial-scale operation.
Economics and material outputs
At reactor level the process requires about 10 kWh per kg H₂ and roughly 15 kWh/kg including auxiliaries. Estimated production costs range around €2–3 per kg H₂ (report cites ~€2.60/kg), with additional revenue potential from high-purity solid carbon sold up to about €450/ton. Carbon applications include soil enrichment trials, battery materials, cement and steel inputs, and activated carbon feedstock.
Scaling and next steps
The first industrial plant is in test operation and is scheduled for continuous operation from 2026. Graforce promotes a modular approach based on a 500‑kW Plasmalyzer® base unit for international scaling, and is exploring further applications such as syngas and ammonia plasmalysis demonstrated in pilots.
Source: Graforce
