In the flat glass production process, hydrogen and nitrogen are required to form a reducing atmosphere over the tin bath. This atmosphere prevents oxidation with the tin to ensure the quality of the glass. 

Mostly, hydrogen is supplied by tube trailers. These trailers transport compressed hydrogen over public roads to the customer. The longer the distance from the hydrogen plant to the customer, the more expensive the hydrogen gets. The same goes for the emitted green house gases like carbon dioxide. To overcome these high costs and emissions, hydrogen can be produced on-site. This doesn’t only decrease the hydrogen costs and harmful emissions, but also increases the reliability of supply.

Until recently, on-site hydrogen supply was only possible by electrolysis. Electrolysis is based on splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by using electricity. The process is very energy intensive and therefore expensive. Especially when electricity prices are high.

More then ten years ago, HyGear succeeded in the development of a small-scale hydrogen generator based on steam reforming. Steam reforming is a hydrogen production process in which natural gas and steam are reformed into hydrogen and an off-gas stream. The advantage of reforming over electrolysis is that the process is much more energy efficient and therefore cost effective. In most countries in the world, the utility expenses and therewith the operational costs of reforming are between 20 and 25% of the costs of e...

In the flat glass production process, hydrogen and nitrogen are required to form a reducing atmosphere over the tin bath. This atmosphere prevents oxidation with the tin to ensure the quality of the glass. 

Mostly, hydrogen is supplied by tube trailers. These trailers transport compressed hydrogen over public roads to the customer. The longer the distance from the hydrogen plant to the customer, the more expensive the hydrogen gets. The same goes for the emitted green house gases like carbon dioxide. To overcome these high costs and emissions, hydrogen can be produced on-site. This doesn’t only decrease the hydrogen costs and harmful emissions, but also increases the reliability of supply.

Until recently, on-site hydrogen supply was only possible by electrolysis. Electrolysis is based on splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by using electricity. The process is very energy intensive and therefore expensive. Especially when electricity prices are high.

More then ten years ago, HyGear succeeded in the development of a small-scale hydrogen generator based on steam reforming. Steam reforming is a hydrogen production process in which natural gas and steam are reformed into hydrogen and an off-gas stream. The advantage of reforming over electrolysis is that the process is much more energy efficient and therefore cost effective. In most countries in the world, the utility expenses and therewith the operational costs of reforming are between 20 and 25% of the costs of electrolysis. HyGear has optimised the process by re-using the waste gases and waste heat of the process. The off-gases are used as input for the burner that provides heat fro the reforming reaction and the residual heat is used for generating steam. This makes the entire system even more efficient.
The off-gases are used as input for the burner that provides heat fro the reforming reaction and the residual heat is used for generating steam.
Currently, many of the so-called Hy.GEN™ systems are installed at flat glass production companies worldwide. The purity and flow can be adjusted to the customer’s needs. Due to the small container-sized format, the Hy.GEN™ can be installed at the customer’s site and can be cascaded if higher hydrogen production is required.
HyGear has worldwide partnerships with renowned gas companies for local back up and peak demand supply. This guarantees full reliability of supply and flexibility to supply fluctuating hydrogen demands.

Key benefits of the Hy.GEN™

• Cost effective
• Full reliability of supply
• Independency of third party supply
• Significant reduction of harmful emissions
• Compact and modular system
• Customer specific design
• Remote monitoring and operation
• Energy efficient process

Besides standardised products for on-site generation of hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, HyGear offers tailored systems for the recycling of industrial gases to reduce both costs and environmental impact. The so-called Hy.REC™ system recovers the mixed atmosphere from the tin bath in float glass production. Since the economical viability of industrial gas recycling systems depends on the value of the recovered gas in relation to the energy consumption of the system, the Hy.REC™ is designed to consume the lowest possible electricity, which results in the highest economical rate of return.

About HyGear
HyGear supplies industrial gases using advanced energy- and cost saving technologies. The main offices and manufacturing facilities are located in The Netherlands and technical support is guaranteed by many local partnerships worldwide.
Besides standardised products for on-site generation of hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, HyGear offers tailored systems for the recycling of industrial gases. Our products reduce both costs and the environmental impact for our global customers.
HyGear’s products are offered as stand-alone systems or as part of an integrated package of solutions, including the entire gas mixing and delivery system, tailored to the customers’ needs.
Major shareholders are Spanish multinational Abengoa S.A. (www.abengoa.es) and PPM Oost N.V., a Dutch financial investment company.