The Los Angeles rubbish challenge
In his second article Reformed coal Row, we meet Raven srWhich basic technology is a proprietary, non-syncal, non-catalytic steam reform process designed to convert a wide range of organic waste into a pure hydrogen-rich gas. Unlike traditional methods of thermal conversion such as incineration, gasification or pyrolysis – which is usually based on burning, oxygen entry or catalytic beds –Raven srThe two -stage two -stage process is driven by indirect electrical heating, offering higher control of reaction conditions and emissions. This method is thermally efficient, supply-bent, and especially suitable for decentralized, articulated waste-hydrogen installations.
In a report in June 2025 “Transfiguration of Waste Biomass into Pure Hydrogen: A Sustainable Route to Los Angeles and California“The Green Hydrogen Coalition It examines the opportunities for the production of hydrogen from biomass through the thermal conversion solutions (NCTC) in the Los Angeles County of California. The analysis highlights the biosies, wood and paper waste as high potential organic raw materials. The study identifies nine existing waste treatment plants as candidate locations for the development of NCTC, with a combined 1.125 million-tonne-biomass processing capacity of one-third of the total annual organic waste in the county. In complete capacity, these facilities could produce about 90,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen sources per year, sufficient to supply some 9,000 categories of fuel Category 8. The environmental impacts would be significant: diversion of biomass from landfill and diverting of landfill and reduction of landfill Co₂ emissions, respectively. In this reformed series of carbon articles, we will consider whether Raven SR technology can offer a sound solution here.
Richmond
Richmond’s work is the first commercial scale of Raven SR of privately owned, non-hydrogen-hydrogen technology technology. It is located in the West Contra Costa landfill of landfill in Richmond, California, north of San Francisco. The installation represents a central progress in the transition to renewable sources of hydrogen and low carbon content. This project incorporates Raven SR’s Steam/Co₂ Reformation process, one of the only non -bombing in the world to convert organic hydrogen waste, with a modular and gradual design of installations that maximizes operational efficiency and sustainability.
The project is jointly owned by Raven SR and Chevron Renewable Energy Group, following the exit of previous associates Hyzon Motors. The total cost of the project has increased by its initial estimation of $ 50 million to about $ 75 million, with about half already spent on equipment. Increasing costs are attributed to inflation, delay delay and field adjustments.
Installation is designed for processing up to 100 tonnes of organic waste a day, derives from locally from Democracy. This raw material includes mixed commercial waste with high organic content-such as green waste and other carbon-rich materials. The output will include up to about 5.5 metric tonnes of renewable hydrogen per day (equivalent to ~ 2,000 metric tonnes per year), which will be cleaned at 99.999% purity, suitable for fuel and mobility cell applications. The plant will consume less than 6 MW of power, which doubles hydrogen production than the same energy for electrolysis.
The hydrogen produced in Richmond will be shared according to Chevron to receive 50% of production for mobility applications. The other 50% is expected to be marketed by Ravensr through partners and investors, such as Itochu (Japan -based trader). Hydrogen distribution will manage through trailers, avoiding the need for pipelines and allowing flexible delivery to fuel stations and industrial users. The company has also been involved in additional potential away home, but remains focused on executing this first project before further escalation.
From a regulatory point of view, Richamond’s work navigated significant challenges, including CEQA approval, Calrecycle that allows SB 1383 and health risk assessment from the Bay Area air quality management area. Raven SR successfully revolved in a biomass conversion name to comply with regulatory definitions and unlock the road exceptions for certain currents of organic waste.
“Raven’s organic waste in Hydrogen set a new standard in environmental sustainability. It will provide a triple benefit for local air quality and climate by reducing landfill waste, using landfill gas instead of inflating it and using the hydrogen.
Zaragoza, Spain
For recent years, Raven SR has been developing a business case for Saragoa, Spain as a pioneering initiative for the company, which marks the first waste production plant in Europe. The project is defined as the “project and investment of regional autonomous interest” by the Aragón government. In addition to this regional recognition, Raven SR has received € 1.4m funding from the Spanish Ministry for ecological transition and demographic challenge. This follows the € 1.7m award by the European Commission in 2022, as part of the Hy2Market consortium, which also focuses on expanding hydrogen production in Europe. The installation will be the first of its kind in Europe to help Spain meet its environmental goals in the context of EU initiatives Green Deal and Hydrogen Valleys.
Raven SR Modular Plant Layout, Rendering Artist
Raven SR Non -book Technology
The system is built around two main reactors. The first -stage reactor is an indirectly heated rotary furnace or limestone. This boat operates at temperatures between 500 ° C and 750 ° C, starting the thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of solid raw material. During this phase, volatile organic compounds are maintained and partially converted into gas products while maintaining solid carbonated residues (biocromatic). Waste of the raw material are pre -processed 2 -inch particles. It may include municipal solid waste, plastics, green waste and other chemical organic materials – if they contain carbon and hydrogen.
The vapors and gases produced in the first stage are immediately transferred to the second -stage reactor, a high temperature pyrolysis chamber that increases the gas temperature to about 1000 ° C using powerful electrical heating elements that require ~ 2 MW of electric input. This stage includes a flow route designed to maximize unrest, ensure a uniform heat distribution and extend the stay time. At these temperatures, even the most stable hydrocarbon molecules, such as methane, are subjected to decomposition of hydrogen, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
To enhance conversion reactions, steam and recycled Syngas are maintained with raw material, allowing both steam reform and dry reform (CO₂ reform) into the same system. The procedure operates with a minimal influx of air (oxygen maintained below 2%) to suppress combustion reactions, improve hydrogen efficiency and reduce pollutants, including carbones and dioxins. The process is designed around the high energy requirements of methane crack, which serves as a proxy to achieve complete conversion of less constant hydrocarbons. The reactors provide a minimum of two seconds stay at high temperature – which are sufficient to reach thermal balance – but designed for up to six seconds for health and complete molecular breakdown.
The effectiveness of the system’s cold gas, a typical measurement for evaluating the energy content of Syngas in relation to raw material, reports 95%, significantly overturning conventional pyrolysis and gasification technologies, which usually range between 65%and 75%. From this syngas, the hydrogen comes from a downstream water-gas displacement reaction, where it steams CO to produce H₂ and CO₂ additives. Syngas then passes through multiple stages of cleaning, including a water washing column, zinc oxide bed for sulfur removal, activated carbon filtration and ammonia absorber, before entering a PSA adsorption unit (PSA).
Hydrogen production is particularly high. About one third of the hydrogen is produced in each of the three stages: the first stage thermal reactor, the second -stage pyrolysis chamber and the water shift unit of water. This distribution supports a balanced design and increases the stability of the process.
In addition to the hydrogen, the system produces biom color as a by -product, only 15% by weight of raw material – a stable carbon solid that has passed rinsing and toxicity tests (TCLP). Biom color can be isolated or mixed with fertilizers to enhance carbon content in the soil, contributing to negative carbon emissions. In addition, the CO₂ process is released, but can be captured or managed in low carbon regulatory frames.
The system is also integrated into energy: up to 60-65% of its electrical needs can be met through the production of landfill gas, with the rest of the section provided by grid electric current-renewable depending on the location. This energy mix further improves the system’s carbon intensity profile, supporting favorable CI scores under programs such as the California low carbon fuel standard (LCFS).
Richmond’s work establishes Raven SR as a key player in sustainable hydrogen production, developing a gradual technology of non -books that converts organic waste into hydrogen while reducing the dependence on landfills and fossil fuels. The articulated system design, combined with indirect electrical heating, controlled chemistry, extensive heat stay time and multi -stage gas cleaning, provides an extremely effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the methods of elimination with combustion.
