Hydrogen is expected to play a larger role in helping industries cut emissions, but conventional production methods can leave a significant carbon footprint. Chennai-based Hypersonic Technologies is working on an alternative that produces hydrogen alongside carbon black, a commercially useful material used in tyres, rubber and pigments.

Founded in 2023 by Jayaraman Kandasamy and Jayakumar Venkatesan, the climate-tech startup uses staged-plasma pyrolysis to convert methane and biomethane into hydrogen and solid carbon. By producing two materials through one process, it aims to help industrial customers offset production costs while reducing emissions.

Kandasamy has more than a decade of experience in Europe, where he worked on plasma technology for aerospace propulsion and explored converting biomass into fuel and hydrogen-rich gases. After returning to India, he founded Hypersonic Technologies to apply this experience to industrial decarbonisation.

“Our main mission is converting methane and biomethane into hydrogen and carbon black using staged-plasma pyrolysis technology,” he says. “The aim is to decarbonise industries, particularly oil refineries, steel, cement, and fertiliser, while also producing carbon black through the same process.”

Plasma pyrolysis uses high temperatures to break down hydrocarbons into hydrogen and solid carbon. Hypersonic Technologies combines dielectric plasma with microwave plasma in two stages, which Kandasamy says can improve efficiency and make the process more stable than a single-stage system.

The technology aims to address emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production. Kandasamy says steam methane reforming, a widely used method, can emit around 10 kg of carbon dioxide for every kilogram of hydrogen produced.

Source link