Hazer Commercial Demonstration Plant
Hazer Commercial Demonstration Plant
This project, located near Perth, is a commercial demonstration of the Hazer production technology that can convert methane feedstocks, through the use of an iron ore process catalyst, into hydrogen and synthetic graphite.
| Main proponents:
Hazer Group Limited |
Main end-use classification:
Demonstration and testing purposes – self power use |
Status:
Operating – hydrogen production anticipated in the second half of 2023 |
Estimated cost:
AUD$23-25 million |
| Other involvement:
|
Production details:
Hydrogen production – Approximately 100 tonnes per annum capacity |
Location:
Western Australia, Australia |
Announced funding:
AUD$9.41 million – Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) |
Project description
West Australian based technology developer, Hazer Group Limited, is in the final stage of its Phase 1 operations (testing) phase to produce hydrogen and graphite at its demonstration plant near Perth, Western Australia, and to progress their proprietary technology that can convert methane feedstocks into hydrogen and synthetic graphite.
Based on the second phase of operations (‘hot operations’), start-up timing to produce hydrogen and graphitic carbon, is anticipated for the second half of 2023.
The demonstration plant has a planned (operating) duration of around three years and would have the capacity to produce approximately 100 tonnes of hydrogen per annum and 380 tonnes of synthetic graphite per annum.
The Hazer process uses methane (bio-methane in the case of this specific project) as a feedstock which, through the use of an iron ore process catalyst, can be converted into hydrogen and synthetic graphite (in which the carbon contained in the biogas feedstock is ‘trapped’). Produced hydrogen is intended to be used for self-power generation.
The demonstration plant is co-located at the Water Corporation’s Woodman Point Wastewater Treatment plant in Munster about 30 kilometres south-south-west of Perth. Biogas produced at the waste treatment plant will be used as feedstock for the demonstration plant. It is estimated that the plant can utilise around two million standard cubic metres of biogas that would otherwise be flared.
The project scope includes a stationary hydrogen fuel-cell power generation system, which will allow the plant to generate its own renewable power by using some of the produced hydrogen.
The capital cost of the demonstration plant is estimated at between AUD$23-25 million.
In July 2020, the Hazer Group advised of the final investment decision to proceed with the project and of the appointment of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor (the Perth-based Primero Group).
In June 2022, Hazer announced completion of construction and commissioning activities at the Hazer Commercial Demonstration Plant project with first gas introduced. A first phase of operations testing, using a temporary carbon steel reactor (“cold” reactor), allows trialling of the gas conditioning, solids handling, process control, safety and utilities systems. This phase would also deliver initial process data to de-risk the start-up of the second phase of plant operations (‘hot operations’ and full production start-up).
In July 2022, Hazer announced that the transition to hot operating mode had been delayed by fabrication difficulties with the heat-exchange vessel, and which was expected to defer the production of hydrogen and graphite to sometime in 2023.
In March 2023, Hazer announced that the project remains on schedule to produce hydrogen and graphitic carbon in the second half of 2023. The key enabler for the transition to ‘hot operations’ is the delivery and installation of the reactor and heat exchanger equipment, with Hazer noting that these items have progressed in line with delivery schedules. The initial testing program continues to obtain technical data and de-risk operations with steady state operation testing.
At end July 2023, Hazer announced the successful completion of key project milestones and confirms that the project is on-schedule to commence the second phase of its operation (‘hot operations’), to produce hydrogen and graphitic carbon, in 2023.
Milestones
May 2019: Announcement that the Hazer Group and the Water Corporation had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in principle to explore the development of a 100 tonne per annum hydrogen production plant at the Woodman Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
September 2019: ARENA announced it has approved up to AUD$9.41 million in funding to the Hazer Group to support the construction and operation of the demonstration plant.
March 2020: The Hazer Group announced that it had executed a funding agreement with ARENA for up to AUD$9.41 million to support the capital construction and operation of the demonstration plant. Additional information regarding the operation of key aspects of the funding agreement was also supplied by the Hazer Group in March 2020.
May 2020: The Hazer Group announced that it had executed a binding Gas Supply Agreement and Collaboration Deed with the Water Corporation for the supply of gas and co-location of the demonstration plant (with delivery of the biogas scheduled to begin in 2021 and continue for three years).
July 2020: The Hazer Group announced a final investment decision to proceed with the project and the appointment of EPC contractor.
March 2021: Earthworks commenced.
June 2022: The Hazer Group announce completion of construction and commissioning activities.
Updated: July 2023