As part of the agreement, revealed today (November 7), H2 View understands GE will focus on developing gas turbine technology with the capability to operate on 100% hydrogen without the use of water diffusion combustors, while maintaining NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions.

GE’s B&E class current gas turbines can already operate on 100% hydrogen, emitting up to 25 parts per million (ppm) NOx. However, the gas turbine specialist says the new dry low NOx (DLN) combustor technology could represent dramatic water savings of up to 32,000 litres per hour and is intended to become the backbone of new retrofittable solutions for low-carbon operations.

According to GE, the DLN combustors would offer LNG operators the ability to lower carbon emissions and conserve water in their operations.

Commenting on the project, John Intile, Vice-President Engineering at GE Gas Power, said, “We’re confident the combined strengths of Shell, GE, and Baker Hughes, exclusive distributor of certain heavy-duty gas turbines and services in the oil and gas segment, can accelerate the deployment of pragmatic and impactful solutions towards high-hydrogen capabilities in these gas turbine fleets resulting in a significant reduction of carbon emissions and water utilisation globally.”

Alexander Boekhorst, Vice-President Gas Processing and Conversion Technology at Shell, added, “Becoming a Net Zero emission energy business means we need to explore a range of avenues that have potential to help us, our partners, and customers reduce emissions.

“We have continued to innovate and improve the value proposition of LNG using technology, and we look forward to collaborating with GE on this important initiative.”