Hazer demo delayed, plans commercial facilities

Perth’s Hazer Group has revealed that construction of its $16.7 million demonstration plant to produce hydrogen from biogas in Perth has been delayed due to fabrication and materials issues.

However the company, which is commercialising a technology to produce fuel cell grade hydrogen at the Western Australian Water Board’s Woodman Point wastewater treatment plant at Munster, said it was progressing engineering studies for large, first-generation commercial Hazer facilities.

Hazer’s process will convert methane in waste gases into hydrogen and graphite, capturing some carbon produced in the chemical reaction, though not fully eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.

Hazer told investors its 100 ton per annum demonstration plant had progresses, with civil and mechanical construction underway and work begun on the main steel structure and equipment installation.

Fabrication of process modules and equipment is advanced with work packages completed or received into storage.

The company said: “(Hazer) like the majority of and engineering projects in the current environment, continue to face significant cost and schedule pressures due to the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, and the high demand for services, materials and labour in WA.”

Hazer, Chiyoda Corporation and other specialist engineering providers are now progressing engineering studies for the development of ‘larger first-generation commercial Hazer facilities’.

Picture: Hazer pilot plant

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