H2Tech - Q2 2022 - 44

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
constraints of either existing or
new plant sites, and in the case of
distributed implementation, fits a
fuel cell unit or H2
production unit
into an existing site, such as a power
or fueling station. This approach
has been adopted by ExxonMobil
to reuse asset 3D models during
conceptual design.
FIG. 5. Example of fuel cell modeling for design and optimization demonstrating safety,
efficiency and economic benefits.
Advanced process modeling is a vital
element when solving these technical
challenges and improving economics, as
well as when ensuring operational integrity,
energy optimization and improvement.
Companies must look for highly
differentiated, rate-based modeling-the
most rigorous, accurate and efficient
method for modeling solvent-based carbon
capture processes. Additionally, custom
unit modeling and AI-based hybrid
models can be used to model the advanced
membrane technologies currently
being tested for carbon capture.
Leaders in the carbon capture arena
are using digital tools to make their innovative
leaps. These include most universities
performing work in that area,
several government research labs and
research centers. There are also key
commercial players in carbon capture.
Several refiners and chemical producers
are also employing chemical and energy
simulation software to model end-to-end
carbon capture.
H2 liquefaction and storage. A strong
liquefacmodeling
environment can predict the
performance and safety of H2
tion designs. For example, the Norwegian
University of Science and Technology
has demonstrated how liquefaction
can be rigorously modeled in proprietary
simulation softwarec
.
Fuel cell technology. As with electrolysis,
digital applications have unique power
and flexibility to model and improve fuel
cell technology. In this case, areas such as
adsorption modeling and dynamic modeling
are also crucial elements to look for
in these tools. Several dozen players in
fuel cells are using these technologies to
44 Q2 2022 | H2-Tech.com
their advantage. An example of a fuel cell
system model is shown in FIG. 5.
Optioneering and commercialization.
Today's digital solutions provide integrated
workflows that provide powerful
innovation capability during research
and development, conceptual design,
techno-economic optioneering and commercialization.
These advanced tools are
already proving crucial in driving down
the cost of H2
, improving economics and
executing at scale. Key differentiators to
look for include the following:
* Optioneering workflows: Used to
rapidly find the optimal technology
and execution from a cost,
sustainability and reliability view.
High-performance computing and
integration solutions rapidly screen
thousands of process alternatives
and identify the leading candidates.
This is crucial in areas like green
H2
and carbon capture, where the
optimal process designs are still
under development.
Companies can also leverage
integrated economic and cost
modeling, energy efficiency
optimization and risk modeling
workflows to explore cost and
energy sensitivity of different
alternatives. These tools are
being used by Technology Center
Mongstad, National Energy
Technology Laboratory and others
to conduct techno-economic
evaluation during concept
development.
* Conceptual layout workflow:
Conceptual 3D layout software tied
to process simulation optimizes
fitting process designs into
* Modular design workflow: A
range of modular design tools
rapidly develops reusable and
reconfigurable designs that can be
used for distributed H2
production,
industrial fuel cell or carbon capture.
It achieves the scope and scale that a
company's strategy will require.
* Industrial AI-powered workflow:
Accelerate the discovery of
opportunities much faster when
you can build models from lab and
bench data (hybrid models) and
leverage AI to identify strategies for
implementing and debottlenecking
H2
distribution supply chains.
Advanced control and optimization.
Best-in-class adaptive process control and
dynamic optimization technology will be
crucial in the control and reliability of new
and complex technologies represented by
H2
refiners use adaptive process control on
their existing H2
CEPSA's La Rábida refinery's H2
the implementation of dynamic optimization,
which has significantly reduced
energy use, H2
loss and flaring at sites like
network.
Integrated supply chain. The H2
economy will require an evolutionary
approach to migrating existing energy
distribution supply chains into one that
will evolve to handle gray, blue and green
H2
. Today's advanced planning, scheduling
and supply chain tools provide energy
companies a unified platform to handle
the end-to-end supply chain across businesses
in a unique way. Additionally, enterprise
risk modeling systems will be
crucial in understanding success factors in
supply chain implementation.
Beyond H2
: Short- and long-term sustainability.
The energy industry is facing
several challenges-the need to drive to
net-zero carbon emissions, macroeconomics
impacting global demand for hydrocarbons
and an energy transition that is
production and carbon capture. Many
plants and are leading
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