H2Retake

H2Retake is Topsoe's ammonia cracking process for converting ammonia back into high-purity hydrogen, with a stated energy efficiency of 96% and hydrogen purity of 99.999%. It builds on Topsoe's side-fired cracking technology and differs from conventional steam methane reformers mainly in equipment materials that tolerate nitridation conditions and in the catalyst, with base metal catalysts recommended, including the iron-cobalt DNK-2R and the nickel-based DNK-20 and DNK-30. The ammonia feed is pumped to elevated pressure, vaporized with process waste heat, partly decomposed in a pre-converter, then fully cracked in the side-fired cracker before separation and final purification, with an SCR solution in the flue gas section. Heat integration removes the need for any cooling or steam generating system, and single-line capacity ranges from 100 to 3400 MTPD of ammonia for centralized or decentralized deployment. The largest reference plant, in Arroyito, Argentina, has a capacity of up to 2 x 2,400 MTPD in two parallel lines.