ROTOBOOST

At the intersection of environmental stewardship and industrial innovation lies thermal catalytic decomposition (TCD) of methane—a technique teeming with potential. Yet, its journey from promise to tangible industrial application has been fraught with obstacles. Undeterred, ROTOBOOST, a Nordic hydrogen production company, has crafted an economically efficient and ecologically sustainable solution leveraging TCD’s capabilities.

Serving as an instrument of transformative change, ROTOBOOST’s proprietary system seamlessly transmutes natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon. This innovation is vital for industries, like the maritime sector, facing strict emission norms. The escalating urgency to mitigate gas flaring and harness underutilised biogas also underscores ROTOBOOST’s timely intervention.

The ROTOBOOST Advantage: Innovation with Rotobox

In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, ROTOBOOST has introduced Rotobox—an innovative pre-combustion carbon capture system (CCS). At the core of this system lies a liquid catalyst of proprietary formulation, which is carefully developed by ROTOBOOST. A fusion of metal and salts acts as a promoter and stabiliser for the TCD reaction. The exact composition of this catalyst remains confidential, yet ROTOBOOST assures its eco-friendliness and non-toxic nature, embodying a commitment to environmental stewardship.

This TCD process demonstrates several distinct advantages. The use of bubble bed reactor with a fixed liquid catalyst that does not need to be regenerated while keeping its high efficiency curtails consumption and cost, exhibiting a departure from conventional practices. Operating at temperatures lower than standard TCD techniques and at moderate pressures (around 10 bars), Rotobox substantially mitigates energy consumption and operational intricacies, elevating its viability.

Through the TCD process, it orchestrates the conversion of natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon—a remarkable achievement that echoes the ethos of sustainable energy solutions. The hydrogen yielded boasts an astonishing purity level of around 90 percent and above without purification or recirculation, holding immense promise for various industrial applications. The hydrogen can be further purified and used for PEM fuel cells. Simultaneously, the solid carbon, fashioned into pyrolytic graphite, emerges as a precious resource with versatile utility. This paradigm shift not only addresses the need for sustainable energy but also ingeniously positions solid carbon as a marketable asset, aligning seamlessly with the principles of a circular economy.

Efficiency within the Rotobox system is multifaceted, influenced by factors such as feed gas composition, operating conditions and catalyst performance. ROTOBOOST asserts that the typical methane conversion rate achieved by Rotobox hovers around 80 percent or higher. The residual methane is recycled or used as a heating fuel, forming a holistic approach to resource utilisation. Depending on the heating method, the technology has the potential to slash overall emissions by 100 percent.

Validating its efforts, ROTOBOOST has been bestowed with Approvals in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas for its carbon capture innovation, marking Rotobox’s alignment with the marine decarbonisation needs. The company’s innovative approach for the marine industry is capturing carbon in solid form before combustion, effectively countering both carbon dioxide and methane slip from combustion engines and contributing to cleaner air.

“Despite numerous attempts, this cutting-edge technology on an industrial scale remains largely untapped. We stand apart by learning from past endeavours and leveraging our client-centric approach to bring forth a transformative solution that can reshape industries,” says Kaisa Nikulainen, CEO of ROTOBOOST.

With its modular and scalable architecture, Rotobox presents a compelling proposition for stakeholders in the maritime and fossil fuel sectors. It intuitively evolves in alignment with ever-tightening emission mandates, epitomising adaptability.

Rotobox offers not just an environmentally attuned solution but a fiscally prudent alternative. Augmented by its scalability, it balances ecological mandates with commercial pragmatism. Rotobox’s design also champions energy conservation, consuming minimal electrical power vis-à-vis traditional carbon capture systems. Such ingenious design finesse extends to efficient solid carbon storage, underscoring ROTOBOOST’s holistic innovation approach.

Broad Applications: Beyond Traditional Hydrogen Production

Harnessing the potential of this advanced technology, ROTOBOOST sets forth a series of powerful outcomes extending beyond traditional hydrogen production. One notable advantage is unlocking affordable hydrogen, a pivotal step towards accelerating the transition to greener energy. This newfound affordability paves the way for various applications, such as supplying fuel for gas-fired boilers, combustion engines and gas turbines addressing the energy requirements of various industries.

A significant aspect of ROTOBOOST’s innovation lies in its ability to breathe new life into existing energy-related facilities and assets. By providing an efficient solution for converting natural gas, the technology extends the lifespan of current infrastructures.

“Our passionate team is committed to making the energy industry’s transition to green solutions as seamless as possible,” says Nikulainen.

Fueling Agriculture and Waste Management

The Rotobox system demonstrates exceptional adaptability to varying gas compositions through precise adjustments to operating conditions and catalyst formulation. This versatility empowers the system to effectively manage diverse biogas sources, each characterised by distinct methane concentrations spanning 50 to 90 percent.

Focusing on agricultural applications, ROTOBOOST envisions a multitude of avenues where the hydrogen yielded from biogas can deliver substantial benefits.

First, the concept of utilising hydrogen infusion for fertilizer production takes center stage. The hydrogen component becomes a building block in the synthesis of valuable compounds such as ammonia, the cornerstone ingredient in nitrogen-based fertilizers. This propels the efficiency of fertilizer production and offers a way to repurpose biogas into a vital resource for agricultural enhancement.

In addition, the prospect of integrating hydrogen into the fuel repertoire for farm vehicles and machinery assumes significance. The viability of hydrogen as a clean and efficient fuel source for tractors, harvesters and other agricultural equipment emerges as an innovative leap toward reducing carbon footprints in the sector.

Delving into waste management, the technology deftly tackles the prevalent issue of methane wastage. Biogas, a resource-rich byproduct of landfills and palm oil waste, often falls victim to haphazard management, resulting in avoidable losses.

ROTOBOOST emerges as a transformative solution to this challenge by facilitating the systematic collection and conversion of biogas into hydrogen and solid carbon. The technology’s utility also extends to landfills, where captured hydrogen is used for incineration to enhance waste disposal efficiency.

Decarbonisation in the Refining Industry

The refining industry has long grappled with managing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including propane, butane and higher hydrocarbons, which are conventionally released as flare gas.

These gases are often flared due to their limited commercial value, resulting in substantial environmental and economic losses. And conventional approaches to handling these gases, such as burning them, are no longer sustainable in an era focused on carbon reduction and resource optimisation. However, with ROTOBOOST’s RotoBox System, there is now a game-changing solution that converts VOCs into valuable resources.

The benefits of the system are far-reaching. First and foremost, converting VOCs into hydrogen and solid carbon significantly contributes to the decarbonisation efforts in refineries. The produced hydrogen can be integrated into various refinery processes, substantially curbing carbon emissions that are historically associated with traditional flare gas burning.

Second, the economic value unlocked by the RotoBox System is remarkable. Rather than the wasteful practice of flaring valuable VOCs, refineries now have the means to transform these gases into sought-after resources.

The Rotobox system’s economic advantages are further accentuated by its low capital expenditure and operating costs. Its compact design and efficient operation translate into a cost-effective solution that delivers both economic and environmental benefits.

As regulations surrounding VOC emissions tighten, Rotobox not only aids in compliance but also redefines how refineries perceive these compounds. What was once deemed waste is now a valuable resource, paving the way for more sustainable practices.

The Creative Forces Driving ROTOBOOST’s Success

Led by visionary executives and experienced industry professionals, ROTOBOOST is fueled by a dynamic and talented team that drives the company’s innovative solutions. With each member contributing unique skills and expertise, the team forms a cohesive unit that shares a common vision—to forge sustainable and environmentally responsible technologies that reverberate across industries.

In a world teetering on the precipice of environmental concerns and rapid technological advancements, ROTOBOOST emerges as a beacon of change, a catalyst for transformation. Its approach is grounded in a strategic focus on clients, seamlessly adapting to their needs and evolving demands. This client-centric strategy is complemented by the technology’s modular adaptability, a quality that ensures innovation remains at the forefront of versatility, accommodating the ever-evolving landscape of energy requirements.

Fueled by an unbridled passion for transformative change, the firm envisions global expansion as sustainability takes the front seat in every facet of its research and engineering endeavours. The resounding message from ROTOBOOST is clear—a more eco-conscious future is not an elusive dream but a tangible reality.