ADNOC Gas is a UAE state-owned company and recently they were able to successfully install methane-to-graphene and hydrogen technology at their Habshan Gas Processing Plant.

Throughout this process, the graphene produced by the pilot plant will be assessed and then utilised by ADNOC’s technology team, with the intention of exploring various applications.

Furthermore, as the project involved a collaboration with Baker Hughes, it was possible for the gas major to deploy UK-based Levidian’s LOOP technology and this technology came with the capacity to produce more than one ton of graphene on an annual basis, as well as one extra ton of hydrogen per year.

To put this project in motion, the pilot was deployed first and this part of the project collected data which focused on further refining and developing AI modelling as well as digital twins. Doing this meant that energy consumption was reduced, whilst simultaneously, graphene output was maximised, which would then go forwards to become useful in future installations.

In order to operate effectively, the LOOP technology uses electromagnetic waves in order to ionize methane into plasma, which leads to separating hydrogen and carbon in the form of graphene.

From there, the technology will capture carbon pre-combustion in order to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide which has been created through the process. This part of the process will be conducted without the use of water.

Due to its potential that is clearly showcased in this method, graphene has been highlighted as a ‘super-material’, which provides greater strength in comparison so steel, as well as high flexibility and conductivity. Altogether graphene provides potential use case in electronics, healthcare and finally, construction.

Chief Operation Officer of ADNOC Gas, Mohamed Al Hasemi, commented, “By transforming methane into valuable graphene and clean hydrogen, we are unlocking new value from natural gas.”

ADNOC has suggested that, ‘future “industrial-scale” projects could deliver fifteen tonnes of graphene and hydrogen per year.’

Levidian CEO, John Hartley, mentioned, “We’re seeing huge appetite within the market for our graphene and are excited to be working with Baker Hughes and ADNOC to unlock a new source of this super-material.” Hartley also mentioned, “that the collaboration could establish the firm as a key producer of graphene.”