Frequently Asked Questions

How did Atlantic Hydrogen get started?
The company got started when an inventor and entrepreneur fortuitously met while on vacation. Follow this link (in PDF) to get the full story.

How does the CarbonSaver technology reduce emissions?
The removes a portion of the carbon (C) from the methane (CH4) portion of natural gas. The bonds of methane molecules are broken during the process to form solid carbon (C) and gaseous hydrogen (H2). The solid carbon is removed from the gas, causing a direct reduction in carbon emissions (CO and CO2) when combusted. The remaining hydrogen enriched natural gas, when combusted, reduces the production of the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) when compared to combustion of pure natural gas and other hydrocarbons.

What is carbon black?
Carbon black is a form of carbon that is usually created by the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products. It is primarily used as a rubber reinforcing agent in the production of automobile tires, belts and hoses, as well as a pigment in plastics and dyes.

What happens to the carbon that is removed from the natural gas?
Atlantic Hydrogen is performing research on the analysis and market matching for the carbon that is removed from natural gas. Some possibilities are metallurgy and rubber markets.

What is plasma?
Plasma is the fourth state of matter. It consists of an ionized gas in which free electrons are present and provides an electrically conductive path.

Where will the CarbonSaver be used?
The immediate markets for the CarbonSaver are at filling stations for natural gas vehicles, natural gas generation - both turbine and internal combustion engines and any place where natural gas is burned as a heat source.

How does the CarbonSaver technology compare with other methods of producing hydrogen?
The CarbonSaver unlike Steam Methane Reforming, does not release any greenhouse gases during the reforming process, SMR releases approximately 8 tons of CO2 for every ton of H2 produced. The CarbonSaver process is an on-demand process and can be started and stopped immediately.

What is the efficiency of the CarbonSaver?
This is usually answered by means of a comparison to Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) and Electrolysis. The CarbonSaver requires the equivalent of between 3-4 kW-hrs to produce a cubic meter of pure hydrogen. Electrolysis requires between 4-5 kW-hrs to produce a cubic meter of pure hydrogen and SMR requires approximately 0.2 kW-hrs to produce a cubic meter of pure hydrogen.

Why do you target 10% hydrogen by volume?
For most jurisdictions, 20% or less hydrogen in natural gas is considered the same as natural gas for regulatory purposes. Research has shown that the greatest benefit from hydrogen enriched natural gas occurs in the 10% hydrogen range for use in a natural gas-burning engine.

What voltage is the plasma?
The voltage required to produce the plasma depends on many factors; the plasma distance (gap), the type of media used (natural gas), the operating pressure, and the operating temperature. Typically the system plasma voltages range from 1kV - 20kV.

At what temperature do the reactors operate?
The actual plasma temperature is between 1500 deg. C - 2500 degrees C. The gas exiting gas temperature may reach 300 degrees C and the reactor surface temperature is generally less than 200 degrees. C.

How much power/energy does the system require to operate?
The actual energy required to produce the plasma for the CarbonSaver is between 300W - 400W per cubic meter of 10% hydrogen enriched natural gas. The percentage of hydrogen in the natural gas depends on the plasma power.

What type of maintenance is planned and how often is it performed?
With the present system, electrode replacement is anticipated every two weeks under continueous operation. The reactor dry-carbon filter material will require replacement on timeframes yet to be determined.

How is the CarbonSaver™ operated and controlled?
The CarbonSaver is operated and controlled using an industrial programmable logic controller (PLC) which monitors and controls all system parameters and valves. The human interface and control is setup using a touch-panel display which displays system parameters are provides a method for entering set-points.

At what pressure does it and can it operate?
The CarbonSaver demonstration system operates on feed pressures of 150 psig and higher.

Is the CarbonSaver dangerous?
The CarbonSaver system is closely monitored and is only operated by trained and experienced personnel. All components of the CarbonSaver were designed with large safety factors to ensure a safe and controllable system.

What duration can the CarbonSaver operate for and what is its expected lifespan?
The CarbonSaver is being designed for continuous operation; the expected minimum lifespan is 10 years.

What are the operating ranges for the CarbonSaver demonstration system?
The CarbonSaver demonstration system can operate with natural gas flow rates up to 1,000 normal cubic meters per hour.

What are the projected costs of the CarbonSaver systems?
CarbonSaver is in pre-commercial product stage and continues to be put through a number of proof of concept/demonstration stages involving volume, pressure and temperature parameters. The characteristics and handling of the carbon also continues to go through it's own rigorous analysis. A number of licensing business models are being explored subject to the outcomes of the research described. Contact Josh Samuel for further information.

Can the CarbonSaver be installed in a house or vehicle?
Not at this point. The CarbonSaver is currently designed for a large industrial or commercial location.

Why is the CarbonSaver demonstration system so compact?
The CarbonSaver demonstration system was designed with a small footprint since many of the possible market locations for the CarbonSaver technology have limited space for equipment.

What is the theoretical efficiency limit to the technology?
The theoretical efficiency limit for the CarbonSaver plasma technology is just less than 1 kW-hr per cubic meter of pure hydrogen.

When do you expect to commercialize the CarbonSaver?
The next step for Atlantic Hydrogen's CarbonSaver is a scaled-up demonstration of the system with commercialization to follow.