Lotte Chemical Applies Gas Separation Membrane Carbon Capture Technology to Blue Hydrogen Production Site

Ministry of Science and ICT Participates in Developing Hybrid CO2 Capture Liquefaction Process Technology for Blue Hydrogen Production
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A CCU (Carbon Capture Utilization) demonstration facility has been installed at the Lotte Chemical plant in Yeosu, Jeonnam. Photo by Lotte Chemical

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Lotte Chemical is embarking on the development of hybrid CO2 (carbon dioxide) capture liquefaction process technology for the production of blue hydrogen (hydrogen produced through processes that minimize carbon emissions).

On the 28th, Lotte Chemical announced that it has been selected as a joint research institution among 12 organizations participating in the Ministry of Science and ICT’s national project in the CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) field. Having signed an agreement on the 8th and started joint research on the national project, Lotte Chemical plans to advance its existing gas separation membrane CO2 capture technology while securing hybrid CO2 capture-related technology as an outcome of this project, and utilize it when installing related facilities in the future.

This project is titled "Optimization and Demonstration of Hybrid CO2 Capture Liquefaction Process for Blue Hydrogen Production." It is a project to develop a process that captures and utilizes more than 100 tons of CO2 daily. After on-site demonstration in the Pyeongtaek Hydrogen Specialized Zone, the goal is to internalize the technology through the design of a commercial-scale process capable of handling 1 million tons annually.

The hybrid CO2 capture technology will apply membrane separation using gas separation membranes, wet absorption using absorbents (Hyundai Engineering & Construction), and VSA (Vacuum Swing Adsorption) method (Korea Institute of Energy Research). Each capture method will develop optimized technology according to the characteristics of CO2 generated during the blue hydrogen production process, and is expected to contribute to improving the efficiency of blue hydrogen production in the future.

Lotte Chemical will be responsible for the gas separation membrane carbon capture technology in this project. Utilizing its gas separation membrane CCU technology, Lotte Chemical will develop technology targeting combustion exhaust gas generated during the blue hydrogen production process. Additionally, the technology will be expanded to re-capture CO2 from gases lost during the liquefaction process, strengthening competitiveness in blue hydrogen production.

In March last year, Lotte Chemical installed the first gas separation membrane CCU pilot facility among domestic chemical companies at its Yeosu Plant 1. It then conducted demonstration operations for nine months, completing performance verification of the gas separation membrane for carbon capture. Based on data collected and analyzed during the demonstration and operational technology, Lotte Chemical is pushing for the commercialization of membrane carbon capture at its Daesan Plant, the first among global chemical companies. Through participation in this national project, Lotte Chemical expects to secure carbon capture technology in the blue hydrogen production field, taking a step closer to realizing its eco-friendly hydrogen growth roadmap, "Every step for H2."

Furthermore, based on the secured hybrid CO2 capture technology, Lotte Chemical plans to further advance its existing CO2 capture technology and achieve higher efficiency. By applying appropriate technologies to existing and new facilities, it aims to maximize economic feasibility and secure differentiated competitiveness.

Hwang Jin-gu, Head of Lotte Chemical’s Basic Materials Business, said, "It is significant that Lotte Chemical’s gas separation membrane carbon capture technology will be utilized at blue hydrogen production sites through this project." He added, "Lotte Chemical will strive to contribute to carbon neutrality by expanding the applicability of this technology through additional research."

Meanwhile, Lotte Chemical plans to rapidly secure future business capabilities in hydrogen, carbon neutrality, batteries, and bio sectors by strengthening open innovation research activities with top domestic and international universities, research institutes, and companies optimized for each field, and to promote speedy commercialization.

In fact, last January, to secure future technologies and discover talent for realizing a carbon-neutral society, Lotte Chemical established the "Carbon Neutral Research Center" with KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), selecting research tasks such as ▲clean hydrogen production through pyrolysis of waste plastics and water electrolysis ▲eco-friendly naphtha production technology ▲liquid organic hydrogen storage and carrier technology ▲optimization of clean hydrogen production costs and reduction of carbon emissions through life cycle assessment (LCA), and is currently conducting research and economic feasibility analysis.