Carbon dioxide-free production of hydrogen and high-purity carbon in Upper Austria
Via „methane electrolysis“, natural gas (methane/CH4) can be split without carbon dioxide emissions, decarbonized and thus made usable in a climate-friendly way. In this way, carbon dioxide-free hydrogen and high-purity carbon can be produced. The process has great potential and is being implemented for the first time in Austria at the Krift site in Kremsmünster.
Valuable high-purity carbon
This innovative technology succeeds in decarbonizing natural gas and making the produced Carbon usable as a raw material. It is a valuable additive for soils that have been intensively used for agriculture in recent years.
Together with renowned partners such as the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Vienna and the Montan University of Leoben, RAG has already carried out several glasshouse and field trials with very promising results. In addition, it has a wide range of uses as a value material in various branches of industry.
Versatile usage of hydrogen
Since today the majority of hydrogen demand is still produced with technologies that generate carbon dioxide, the production technology „Methane Electrolysis“ is is a CO2-free alternative. Hydrogen has a wide range of applications. At the Krift site, RAG‘s own combined heat and power plant should be powered by hydrogen in order to use the summer sun for winter heating.
Opening of the plant in the „RAG Energy Valley”
On September 28, 2023, the first methane electrolysis plant in an industrial environment began trial operations in “RAG Energy Valley” – the model region for
100% green energy supply in Upper Austria.