Russian LNG exporter Novatek was granted Russian patents for a large-scale ammonia process and a large-scale pure hydrogen process based on ammonia cracking.
The low-carbon ammonia process, which Novatek developed in cooperation with Russian design institutes, is based on steam reforming of natural gas, according to a statement by Novatek.
Novatek said the now-patented process design “enables ammonia production capacities of over 1 mmtpa per process train, as well as a smaller carbon footprint, which is achieved through energy-efficient solutions and 90 percent plus carbon capture and geological storage.”
“The large-scale ammonia cracking process is a major step towards a value chain that would allow bringing pure hydrogen to end consumers at a competitive and affordable price,” the firm said.
In June, Novatek also obtained a Russian patent for its proprietary technology called “Arctic Mix” for large-scale natural gas liquefaction using mixed refrigerants.
According to Novatek, the firm developed this LNG process technology to implement the company’s large-scale projects on gravity-based structures with a production capacity of 6+ mtpa per LNG train.
Arctic LNG 2 force majeure
Novatek currently exports LNG via its 17.4 mtpa Yamal LNG plant and the mid-scale facility with a capacity of 660,000 tons in Vysotsk.
The firm is also building the 19.8 mtpa Arctic LNG 2 plant and in August completed the installation of the first of three trains which will serve the project.
According to reports in Russia, Novatek started production of LNG from this unit last week and expects to complete commissioning early next year.
However, the firm also issued force majeure on Arctic 2 LNG supplies to its customers due to US sanctions imposed on the project in November this year, the reports said.
Novatek is the LNG project’s operator with a 60 percent stake, France’s TotalEnergies owns 10 percent, while CNPC and CNOOC of China have 10 percent, each.
Japan Arctic LNG, a consortium of Mitsui & Co and Jogmec, owns a 10 percent stake in the project as well.