Plans for the initial site include a production capacity of up to 1,500 kg of hydrogen per day. (Source: Shutterstock)
A group of collaborators are working to convert frac wastewater into clean hydrogen in an initiative that could lead to hydrogen sales of up to $5 million annually, according to a June 18 press release.
HNO International has tapped Q3 Power and Enapter to join its efforts into creating a clean hydrogen product from produced water. An unnamed oil and gas operator will supply the contaminated frac water.
Q3 will vaporize and condense the wastewater using its proprietary thermal technology to create distilled water. Enapter will convert the distilled water into green hydrogen using electricity with its AEM modular electrolyzers. HNO will manage the hydrogen production process’ logistics and the delivery of the product.
Plans for the initial site include a production capacity of up to 1,500 kg of hydrogen per day.
The solution creates an opportunity to dispose of frac water in an environmentally friendly way.
Traditionally, produced water is disposed of through deep injection wells. But related seismicity and groundwater pollution issues are causing operators to look for other solutions.
"From pollution to power—that’s the story we're telling," said Don Owens, chairman and CEO of HNO International. "We're taking water that traditionally can't be reused, recycled or safely disposed of, and turning it into hydrogen, a clean, zero-emission fuel. It's the kind of environmental turnaround the world needs more of."
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