Virent's patented BioForming process cost-effectively produces hydrogen from a range of biomass-derived feedstocks, including glycerol and sugars. The novel heterogeneous catalyst used by the BioForming process operates in the aqueous phase with high hydrogen selectivity at low temperature. This results in a simple one-step process that reforms water soluble oxygenated hydrocarbons into an easily purified hydrogen gas stream. Key benefits of using the BioForming process for hydrogen production include: 1) generates hydrogen without the need to volatilize water, which represents a major energy saving; 2) occurs at temperatures and pressures at which the water-gas shift reaction is favorable, making it possible to generate hydrogen with low amounts of CO in a single chemical reactor; 3) occurs at pressures (typically 15 to 50 bar) at which the hydrogen-rich effluent can be effectively purified using proven pressure swing adsorption technology; 4) takes place at low temperatures that minimize undesirable decomposition reactions typically encountered when carbohydrates are heated to elevated temperatures; and 5) utilizes agricultural derived feedstocks.

Depending on feedstock cost, a distributed BioForming system is capable of producing hydrogen for $1.80-$4.00/kg. This cost is dramatically less than that for alternative renewable hydrogen production methods, such as wind and solar powered electrolyzers, and competitive with conventional, non-renewable methods, such as steam reforming of natural gas.

This presentation will provide background on Virent's BioForming process, describe recent advances in the technology that enable commercial viability of hydrogen production from biomass derived feedstocks, and provide a competitive analysis with other renewable and non-renewable hydrogen generation technologies. Finally, near and long term market opportunities for the BioForming technology will be examined with respect to feedstock availability.