Grundfos Water Treatment (former EUROWATER) has designed and manufactured the complete water treatment solution for the world´s first large-scale commercial e-methanol production.
Key topics:
- Ultrapure water for green hydrogen production
- High water recovery and energy efficiency
- Decarbonising industries
European Energy is a Danish developer and operator of green energy projects and the provider of the world´s first large-scale commercial e-methanol production facility in Kassø, Aabenraa, Denmark.
The hydrogen is being supplied by a 50 MW PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyser plant by Siemens Energy. Ultrapure water serves as the primary raw material for green hydrogen production and ensures the optimal performance of the electrolyser.
The water treatment solution consists of high water recovery technology to support at sustainable production of green hydrogen.
Water treatment steps
The 50 MW PEM eletrolyser relies on a steady supply of 10,000 litres of ultrapure water per hour with a conductivity below 0.1 μS/cm. Grundfos Water Treatment Europe is responsible for the design and manufacturing of the complete water treatment system tailored to meet the requirements of the electrolyser plant.
The water treatment system purifies groundwater that has already undergone aeration and sand filtration. With a particular focus on metal ions, organics, and CO2, the water treatment process encompasses the following steps:
- Antiscale dosing to target and inhibit hardness and silica
- Reverse osmosis with high water recovery technology to take out the bulk of ions and organics
- Membrane degasser to efficiently remove CO2
- EDI and mixed-bed to remove residual trace impurities
EDI and mixed-bed are used after RO for polishing of the demineralised water to attain a low conductivity.
Saving water and energy
The Grundfos RO-PLUS reverse osmosis unit has been specifically chosen. This selection aims to address both water and energy conservation within the treatment process. The reverse osmosis unit is enhanced with high-recovery technology, enabling a water recovery rate of 90% instead of 75% with a standard RO unit without the PLUS feature.
The energy efficiency of the RO-PLUS system is prioritised through strategic design choices. It incorporates low-energy membranes and utilises Grundfos pumps equipped with high-efficiency motors and variable frequency drives. These components are intentionally engineered to minimise energy consumption while maintaining optimal performance levels.
Decarbonising the industry
A.P. Moller - Maersk, the LEGO Group, and Novo Nordisk are off-takers of the e-methanol from the European Energy facility in Kassøe.
By opting for e-methanol as a substitute for conventional methanol they are driving a transformative shift in their respective industries towards decarbonizing the heavy transport sector and replacing methanol in plastic production with a lower-carbon alternative.
Facts
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No hydrogen without water
The transition to green energy is not just about production; storage and distribution are equally important. ‘Green hydrogen’ production meets this challenge. And water plays a crucial role in this process.
Hydrogen production involves moving and treating large amounts of water to meet requirement for makeup water, refinement loops, ultra-pure water treatment or cooling process applications. Our water technology expertise helps you move and treat water in the right way: reliably, sustainably and cost-efficiently.