Greenhouse gas emission targets are driving the Energy Transition and sustainable performance to reduce carbon intensity. Decarbonization of hydrogen production is becoming a key global initiative. Around 71% of global hydrogen production in 2019 (70 million tonnes) was driven by refineries, ammonia, and methanol production, with the hydrogen being sourced primarily from natural gas. After the development of the UN Sustainable Goals in 2015 and more recently with the Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Law, and America’s Water Infrastructure Act, the development of blue and green hydrogen projects are at the center of how the energy and chemicals industry is responding.

There are two main categories of hydrogen based on method of production: Blue and Green. Blue hydrogen production involves the coupling of conventional hydrogen production with carbon capture and storage. Natural gas is transformed with steam or/and oxygen (i.e., steam methane reforming or autothermal reforming). Green hydrogen involves coupling the electrolysis of water with renewable energy, making it a carbon neutral process. Both processes require large amounts of water. Water must be treated prior to chemical or electrochemical processing and also wastewater generated by the processes also need to be treated prior to discharge.

Effective water treatment for hydrogen production is essential because on the front end it must be the right quality and quantity otherwise the process will not be successful. Wastewater must meet effluent guidelines and requirements. To be truly successful the water treatment process must be completed in such a sustainable way that it reduces the demand for initial source water.