Metacon AB, a Swedish developer of proprietary technologies, processes, and systems for hydrogen production through catalytic steam reforming of various hydrocarbons, such as biomethane, natural gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and ethanol, has announced that it has through its Greek subsidiary Helbio S.A, received approved CE marking of its hydrogen generator HHG 50.
According to a statement, the CE mark is an important step in the development of the company’s core technology for its compact reformers.
The HHG 50 unit has a capacity to produce c. 50 Nm3 of hydrogen per hour. This type of unit is intended for Metacon’s demonstration plant in Kempten in southern Germany, where preparations for the upcoming installation are ongoing.
The CE mark proves and ensures that the technology and design comply with EU product safety requirements.
This means that with the application of the corresponding design and execution, Metacon will be able to obtain corresponding certifications for our other product families that are under development.
Prerequisite for EU market placement
Compliance with the EU’s standards and regulations for product safety is a prerequisite for being able to put the products on the EU market.
The CE marking means that Metacon has received a Certificate of Conformity for the fuel processor from an EU-accredited certification body, in this case, EuroCert, according to the applicable EU directives and standards for the parts that require special notification.
The next step is to prepare corresponding certifications for the larger commercial hydrogen generator HHG 250, which will be able to produce close to 300 Nm3 of fossil-free hydrogen per hour (about 25 kg), equivalent to about 200 tonnes of hydrogen per year in continuous operation.
The production of the first complete HHG 250 can begin as soon as the company’s new factory in Patras, Greece, is fully completed.
Competitive technology
At a refueling price of EUR 10/kg, an HHG 250 can bring in approximately EUR 2 million per year to the owner of an HHG-coupled filling station.
For a biogas plant that invests in upgrading the biogas to hydrogen in this way, the payback period is very short thus contributing to the biogas plant having a renewed and improved financial situation.
This is good news that once again shows that our proprietary hydrogen generators meet the high product safety requirements set out in the EU’s various directives and regulations. Our HHG series shares basic technology with our Combined Heat and Power technology, but lacks equipment for electricity generation (FC), inverters, control technology for heat production, and other things that must fit in a compact form factor such as in the H2PS-5. While there certainly are interesting niches for us in CHP, we see significantly greater opportunities for reduced business risks and at the same time larger and more profitable business in the hydrogen production market, commented Christer Wikner, President and CEO of Metacon.
