www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I June 2023 47
Technical
Hydrogen tri-generation has the potential to create significant value for manufacturers that use heat in their production process . The fuel cell system ' s high operating temperature improves the efficiency of power generation and provides usable thermal waste heat . Heat can be used for metal processing , glass manufacturing , petrochemical , material handling , and more . Fuel Cell Energy is demonstrating tri-generation at our North American manufacturing facility . Ultra-clean electricity powers the manufacturing process , heat is used throughout the facility and the hydrogen is used in the process ovens . Hydrogen produced on-site replaces the need to purchase hydrogen and transport it to the facility .
QUAD-GENERATION Quad-generation plants incorporate the same technology as a tri-generation plan but include a scrubber in the exhaust system to capture the carbon dioxide ( CO 2
) which is a by-product of a combustion process . The captured carbon dioxide can be either stored deep underground in geological formations or used in industrial sectors where there is a demand for high grade carbon dioxide like the food and beverage industry or to promote fruit and vegetable growth in horticultural greenhouses .
considered as a key method for fighting climate change . Carbon capture and storage ( CCS ) technology is a form of carbon sequestration that is set to play a central role in helping us reach net zero by 2050 .
It is important to note that carbon is captured at point of emission in a quad-generation plant and transported to carbon storage sites and stored safely within the natural environment . One example of a storage method is to inject the scrubbed
CO 2 deep into saline aquifers . Saline aquifers are natural underground geological formations consisting of vast expanses of porous sedimentary rock filled with salt water . The injected
CO 2 can be stored permanently , away from absorption into the atmosphere and therefore decarbonisation . Saline aquifers have the largest identified storage potential among all other forms of engineered CCS .
The ‘ Endurance ’ aquifer , located in the North Sea off the coast of the UK , is one such formation , which sits approximately 1.6km below the seabed . Roughly the size of Manhattan Island and the height of The Shard building in London or the Empire State Building in New York , its porous composition allows for carbon dioxide to be injected into it and stored safely for potentially thousands of years .
Figure 4 – Quadgeneration .
CARBON CAPTURE , STORAGE AND SEQUESTRATION Carbon Capture , Utilisation and Storage ( CCUS ) technologies are an important solution for the decarbonisation of the global energy system as it proceeds down the path to net zero emissions . The rationale for carbon capture and storage is to enable the use of fossil fuels while reducing the emissions of
CO 2 into the atmosphere and thereby slowing down global climate change .
Technology that captures carbon dioxide from our atmosphere has existed for decades and is now being
In the US , multiple large-scale saline aquifers are now being used for CCS purposes , such as the Citronelle Project in Alabama . During its three-year trial period , it was successful in storing more than 150 000 tonnes of CO 2 per year , which was captured from a nearby pilot facility . 3
ABSORPTION CHILLERS Cooling to buildings or industrial processes is commonly provided by chillers that generate chilled water . Chilled water
3 https :// www . nationalgrid . com / stories / energy-explained / carbon-capture-technology-and-how-it-works
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I June 2023 47