Topsoe to deploy ammonia cracking in South Korea
By on February 28, 2024
Approtium signs deal for industrial-scale cracker at its Ulsan HQ
Click to expand. Topsoe’s H2RETAKE™ technology will be deployed to build an ammonia cracking plant in Ulsan, South Korea. Source: Topsoe.
Based on Topsoe’s H2RETAKE™ technology, an ammonia cracking facility able to produce 75,000 metric tons of hydrogen per year will be built in Ulsan, South Korea. The plant will be owned and run by Approtium, South Korea’s biggest domestic supplier of hydrogen and liquid CO2. Cracking operations are expected to start in 2027, and help support “co-firing in the power generation sector”.
Approtium has already secured a supply of ammonia. In February 2023, it signed an offtake agreement for the supply of 250,000 metric tons of ammonia per year from Hyphen Hydrogen’s under-development project in Namibia, beginning in 2027.
We are excited to embark on this project with Approtium, showcasing not only the potential of our innovative technology, but also the strengths of ammonia as a key energy carrier. Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced drastically on a global scale and through this project, Topsoe delivers a strong contribution to support South Korea’s decarbonization targets.
Elena Scaltritti, Chief Commercial Officer at Topsoe in his organisation’s official press release, 19 Feb 2024
Our ultimate goal has been to provide clean hydrogen to clients and contribute to accelerate carbon neutrality in Korea. This collaboration with Topsoe marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of that goal and signifies our commitment to providing value to both our clients and society.
James Kim, CEO of Approtium in Topsoe’s official press release, 19 Feb 2024
Topsoe reports that its H2RETAKE™ technology converts ammonia into high-purity hydrogen with an energy efficiency of 96%. Via an integrated setup, the system uses off-gases as fuel for the endothermic ammonia cracking reaction, enhancing overall efficiency.