ICI for hydrogen

International collaboration between research centres and industry are fundamental for scientific and technological innovation. It is through these partnerships that we have opened up new horizons for scientific discovery, that enable cutting edge technologies to be applied and marketed in the real world. All the experience gained in areas such as energy and the environment is now part of ICI Powering Evolution.

Twenty years of European projects

We have developed solutions for cogeneration with fuel cells, as we have adapted to different technologies (LT-PEM and SOFC), with some systems reaching TRL7. We have developed innovative reactors for hydrogen production and conversion, integrated complex energy systems and increased our expertise through collaboration with partners. We have launched projects with universities and research centres in order to address the shortage of qualified personnel.

Expertise we have developed
  • Design and integration of cogeneration systems with fuel cells
  • Energy optimisation (electrical + thermal) based on an analysis of fundamental processes.
  • Automation and development of advanced control logic.
  • Specific safety for hydrogen: HAZOP analysis, SIL and ATEX compliance.
Expertise we have developed
  • Design and testing of advanced reactors (e.g., membrane reactors, microreactors).
  • Optimisation of chemical reactions by using our knowledge of the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics.
  • Containerisation and modularity for mobile reactors.
  • Experimental validation and characterisation based on a deep understanding of the phenomena.
Expertise we have developed
  • Creation of PFD, H&MB, P&ID and 3D layouts to ensure consistency with chemical and physical principles throughout the process.
  • Integration of key components for complex systems, adapted to operating conditions.
  • Supervision of installation and operational testing, with attention to chemical and physical implications.
Expertise we have developed
  • Training on advanced technologies (fuel cells, hydrogen, reactors), based on an understanding of the fundamental phenomena.
  • Practical and educational activities to improve the technical skills of personnel.
Expertise we have developed
  • Design and validation of high-efficiency steam generators based on a knowledge of thermodynamics and energy balances.
  • Solutions for reducing emissions, have been optimised thanks to our understanding of combustion and heat transfer.

Our expertise

Over the years we have sounded out many potential customers to gauge their interest in our solutions and found that there was considerable interest, but a lack of maturity in key technologies, such as electrolysers, prevented us from making a viable sales pitch. It is only now when we have reached the necessary level of maturity that these technologies are ready for reliable and efficient integration.
SAFETY ANALYSIS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
AUTOMATION AND CONTROL
EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT
INTEGRATION OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Our change

With the know-how we have acquired, we want to collaborate with strategic partners to develop innovative solutions and bring them to market. Through co-creation with industry and research centres, we will guide our technologies towards industrialisation and marketing, by driving innovation to increase our global competitiveness.

What we seek

Working together for success
This new phase will see us working alongside strategic, industrial and research partners to co-develop technologies and bring them to the industrialisation and marketing stage.
Strategic partners are key

We are working with partners, not customers: we are sharing our targets and growing together. We offer our expertise to develop complete solutions that are ready for industrialisation. It is collaboration that drives innovation.

A step forward

After careful consideration, we are convinced that our way forward must include the integration of the skills we have acquired with new business units and strategic partnerships, in order to transform technologies into market-ready business solutions.