Eastman Licenses Reduced Sulfur Start-Up Technology to Hydrogen Energy International

Hydrogen Energy International LLC and Eastman Chemical Company today announced they have signed a definitive agreement for Eastman to license to HEI its proprietary Reduced Sulfur Start-Up Technology. This patented technology allows for the operational startup of gasification reactors using a sulfur-free fuel to mitigate a source of sulfur emission during startup events.

Jonathan Briggs, regional director, of Hydrogen Energy said he considers this a significant step for his company in North America. “This license agreement grants us access to technology which will minimize sulfur emissions during start-up of our first solid-fueled gasification facility with carbon-capture,” Briggs said.

“Eastman has developed a patented process that essentially eliminates sulfur emissions during start-ups of gasification plants using coal, oil, petroleum coke or other sulfur containing feedstocks,” said Eastman’s Brenda Barnicki, vice president of business development. “This agreement leverages our proprietary technology and know-how which Eastman has obtained from 25 years of experience in coal gasification, and which has resulted in our recognition as the leader in gasification operational excellence”

The licensing agreement is part of Hydrogen Energy’s plan to develop a commercial project in California that generates low carbon hydrogen power from an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) system with carbon capture and storage. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.