Darrow Blue Hydrogen

Air Products will achieve higher plant efficiency by linking a hydraulic power recovery turbine (HPRT) via an SSS Clutch into their dual driven amine pump system

The Darrow Blue Energy Facility located in, Asencion Parish Louisiana, will produce low-carbon hydrogen to power mobility and industrial markets in the Gulf Coast region and beyond. The facility will capture and sequester 95% of its carbon dioxide emissions (over 5 million tons per year), permanently sequestering the CO₂ in an ideal geological pore space in Louisiana.

At 4.5 billion USD, this project is the largest U.S. investment by Air Products and a major investment in the State of Louisiana. This clean energy complex will enhance the local economy, use proven technology to significantly reduce emissions through carbon capture for permanent sequestration, and help customers improve their own sustainability performance. The system will produce over 750 million standard cubic feet per day of blue hydrogen for the U.S., as well as blue ammonia for international buyers.

The three motor driven Baker Hughes amine pumps are made more efficient by the use of Hydraulic Power Recovery Turbines (HPRT) connected via an SSS encased, pressure lubricated clutch. Numerous SSS clutches have been supplied for dual driven amine pumps over the years however the pumps for this project are exceptionally large with the HPRT rated at 5,150KW at 1780rpm.

The Size 110T SSS encased clutches were chosen by Air Products and Baker Hughes over other types of free wheel type clutches. These pumps will play a critical role in the operation of the plant and Air Products wanted reliable equipment. The amine pump will startup using the electric motor and once the process is running, remaining fluid pressure at the end of the cycle can be recovered by the HPRT, or essentially a pump run in reverse.