Project Cormorant: carbon capture-based ammonia in Texas

By Julian Atchison on January 16, 2024

8 Rivers to debut “ultra-low carbon” 8RH2 technology

8 River’s proprietary 8RH2 process, which will be deployed for hydrogen & ammonia production in Port Arthur, Texas. Source: 8 Rivers.
Click to learn more. 8 River’s proprietary 8RH2 process, which will be deployed for hydrogen & ammonia production in Port Arthur, Texas. Source: 8 Rivers.

8 Rivers will develop an 880,000 tonnes-per-year production facility in Port Arthur, Texas. Utilizing the proprietary 8RH2 hydrogen production process, “Project Cormorant” aims to complete construction by 2027, producing ammonia for local use & export to international markets. In an interview with Bloomberg, 8 Rivers’ COO Steve Milward confirmed that ammonia produced by Project Cormorant would be sold for power generation in South Korea, particularly co-firing in coal power plants. 8 Rivers investor SK Materials will support development of Project Cormorant.

8 Rivers reports that its 8RH2, “ultra-low carbon” hydrogen production process has a >99% CO2 capture rate. The process is based on the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle, which features oxy-combustion to produce CO2 and hydrogen. CO2 molecules are continuously recycled and utilized throughout the process, with only a small % escaping each cycle. 8 Rivers presented the technology at the AEA’s 2022 global conference.

The Cormorant Clean Energy Project is the ideal location to deploy our 8RH2 platform commercially, at scale for the first time. Clean fuels like hydrogen and ammonia are paramount to the energy transition, and the Gulf Coast region’s rich history of industrial manufacturing and transportation makes it the perfect environment to demonstrate the game-changing potential of this technology. We’re grateful to be working with local officials to develop and deploy this project and build a clean energy workforce that will sustain the region’s growth for years to come.

Steve Milward, Chief Operating Officer at 8 Rivers in his organisation’s official press release, 9 Jan 2024

We’re proud to support 8 Rivers in achieving this crucial milestone for the demonstration and deployment of ultra-low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia at scale. We understand the role clean power and carbon capture technologies must play in lowering global emissions and achieving net zero goals. With their breakthrough 8RH2 platform, 8 Rivers is pioneering an economical and scalable solution to clean fuel production for the industries that need it most.

Yang Taek Kim, Head, Advanced Materials Investment Center at SK Materials in 8 Rivers’ official press release, 9 Jan 2024