For achieving “net-zero” emissions by 2050 for constraining global temperature rise to 1.5 to 2.0 degrees Celsius (°C), negligible or minimal (low) carbon hydrogen is receiving much attention. Different types of hydrogen are based on a color palette defined by environmental footprint and impact include grey, blue, green, brown, and others. Blue hydrogen projects are a major enabler for achieving “net-zero” emissions. Viable pathways for producing blue hydrogen mainly consist of steam methane reforming (SMR) and Autothermal Reforming (ATR). These are advanced commercial technologies and processes which must be integrated with carbon capture and sequestration where national and state level subsidies or incentives are utilized.

Carbon black production technologies, feedstock and process economics are discussed and evaluated.  Detailed process economics for a selection of commercial ASTM N carbon black grades and specialty blacks such as acetylene and thermal blacks are provided.  An overview of global and regional supply and demand of carbon black, as well as market applications by product grade is also included. 

This report focuses on the approaches used by developers of Crude Oil to Chemicals (COTC) complexes currently being built, which is primarily through reconfiguration of existing bottom of the barrel and VGO conversion technologies to obtain petrochemical yields between 40 and 50 percent.  The report discusses the different technology options, provides case studies for how they are implemented in projects operational or under construction, and contrasts the return on capital employed for COTC complexes versus “conventional” integrated refinery/petrochemical complexes.  Lastly, the report discusses the impact of COTC projects on the refining and petrochemical markets.

RNG (renewable natural gas) is a mostly methane stream that is most commonly derived from biogas produced by anaerobic digestion or from landfill gas (LFG) by removing impurities such as CO2, H2S, and water vapor to achieve a purity similar to pipeline fossil natural gas.  Other means of production include conventional catalytic methanation of waste CO2 with renewable hydrogen (made by water electrolysis with renewable electricity), and advanced electrochemical processes. RNG can be added to the natural gas pipeline, burned locally for heat and power, or fed to chemical synthesis.