CRYOCAP™ – A WORLD PREMIERE DEVELOPED IN FRANCE A technological innovation 2 Cryocap™ is a technological innovation for CO capture methane reforming hydrogen production unit operated by using a cryogenic process (involving low temperatures, Air Liquide in France represents the first industrial deployment 2 around -50°C, to separate gases) that is unique in the world. of the Cryocap™ H technology. Cryocap™ can be adapted to specific applications combining a variety of Air Liquide technologies: the capture Because Cryocap™ is located at the heart of the hydrogen 2 production process – i.e. where the emissions are the most of CO produced by steel plants (Cryocap™ Steel), thermal 2 power plants (Cryocap™ Oxy), or hydrogen production units highly concentrated – it optimizes CO capture compared 2 with conventional solutions, in particular the chemical process (Cryocap™ H ). known as amine scrubbing capture. Today, Cryocap™ is 2 Cryocap™ has resulted in the filing of several patents and the only technique that enables the reduction of the CO illustrates the Air Liquide group’s innovation. Its installation released during the production of hydrogen while also in Port-Jérôme, Normandy, France, at the largest steam increasing this hydrogen production. Towards the decarbonized production of hydrogen The most common process for producing hydrogen is based on steam methane reforming, which involves a chemical 2 reaction between natural gas, mostly composed of methane, and steam, which produces hydrogen and also releases CO . 2 2 [1] Cryocap™H enables to capture a large portion of the CO that is released (from 60% to 90 % ). It can be then liquefied 2 and purified to be finally used to meet the CO needs of local industrial markets (agri-food, water treatment, etc.). This solution represents an important step toward the ultimate goal of producing decarbonized hydrogen. An ambitious project conducted with the support of local and national government agencies Cryocap™ represents an investment for research centers and one of its engineering Air Liquide of around 30 million euros, centers. This geographic proximity of operations, decided in 2012. It also benefited from public researchers, and designers has allowed for financial support of close to 9 million euros, fluid, optimal management of the project. provided jointly by the Haute Normandie Within France, Air Liquide has a strong region, the community of Caux Vallée de ecosystem of innovation that involves 2,000 Seine communes, and ADEME (French people and includes an R&D center, hubs of Environment and Energy Management expertise, a laboratory for new ideas, the Agency) through the Programme i-Lab, and ALIAD, the Group’s venture capital d’Investissement d’Avenir, a government arm in innovative technology startups. In program for investment for the future. 2014, two-thirds of Air Liquide’s spending on innovation was done in France and Air Liquide has chosen to invest in France. additional investments of close to 100 million France constitutes a solid industrial base for euros were decided to accelerate the pace of the Group and also hosts one of its main innovation in France. [1] If hydrogen is used as an energy source in the SMR oven to replace natural gas Cryocap™ Press Kit 3