South African company BurnStar Technologies has commissioned a commercial demonstration unit of its liquid metal reforming process at TurnKey Modular in Johannesburg. The system uses a pyrolysis-based process to split methane into hydrogen and solid carbon, avoiding carbon dioxide emissions.
“The demonstration marks the shift from pilot-scale testing to validating the technology under operational conditions. The modular units are designed to produce between 120 kg and 5 000 kg of hydrogen per day with potential applications in steelmaking, refining, power generation, transport fuels and agriculture,” said Johan Brand, Technical Director of BurnStar Technologies.
The process does not rely on renewable electricity unlike electrolysis. Instead, it uses existing gas sources such as natural gas, methane-rich gas, liquefied petroleum gas and flare gas. The solid carbon by-product can be used in industries including agriculture and manufacturing.
The development comes as South Africa positions hydrogen as a central part of its energy transition. The Climate Change Act of 2024 identifies hydrogen as a key enabler of decarbonisation with opportunities in heavy industry and new energy value chains.
