A Review of the Role of Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilization Units (CCS, CCU, and CCUS) in the Transition from Gray Hydrogen to Blue Hydrogen

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Milad Pirhadi 1
Sobhan Herfat 2
Mohsen Mazlom farsibaf 3
Majid Zandi 4
Ali Vatani 5
1 M.Sc. Student, Renewable Energy Department, Energy Research Center, Faculty of Energy, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Ph.D. Student, Renewable Energy Department, Energy Research Center, Faculty of Energy, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 Research and Technology Management, National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), Tehran, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Renewable Energy Department, Energy Research Center, Faculty of Energy, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
5 Professor, Institute of Liquefied Natural Gas (I-LNG), School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
In the global energy context, hydrogen is considered a promising clean energy source, offering a suitable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Among various types of hydrogen, blue hydrogen plays a critical role in the transition to low-carbon energy systems. Unlike gray hydrogen, which is produced through steam methane reforming (SMR) from natural gas and is associated with significant carbon dioxide emissions, blue hydrogen utilizes carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCS, CCU, and CCUS) technologies to capture the CO₂ generated during production. This distinction makes the conversion of gray hydrogen to blue hydrogen an effective strategy for reducing environmental impacts and controlling greenhouse gas emissions. This paper reviews common gray hydrogen production processes, including steam methane reforming, autothermal reforming, and the water-gas shift reaction, focusing on performance, operational conditions, and catalyst types. It also examines CO₂ capture technologies at three stages post-combustion, pre-combustion, and oxy-fuel combustion along with storage methods and industrial applications. Case studies of international projects are provided to evaluate the effectiveness of CCUS in blue hydrogen production. Finally, based on technical feasibility, scalability, and infrastructure investment, blue hydrogen is recognized as a viable solution for carbon reduction and sustainable energy supply.

Keywords

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 26 February 2025
  • Revise Date 27 April 2025
  • Accept Date 07 May 2025