Matheson, Vertex Energy sign long-term hydrogen-supply contract for renewable diesel production

Matheson Tri-Gas Inc., the U.S. affiliate of Nippon Sanso Holding Corp., Tokyo, has signed a long-term supply agreement to meet hydrogen requirements for a 75,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Mobile, Alabama, owned by Vertex Energy.

The Matheson facility will have a nameplate capacity exceeding 30 million standard cubic feet per day of hydrogen production and the capability to process a range of feedstocks, including renewable naphtha and other coproducts from Vertex’s renewable diesel production, as well as natural gas, as necessary.

The facility is designed in accordance with Matheson HyCO’s global standards with respect to safety, ultra-high supply reliability, and with the flexibility required to best integrate these specifications with Vertex’s operations and supply considerations.

Conceptual design of the HyCO (hydrogen and carbon monoxide, or syngas) facility has been completed and engineering is underway.

Procurement of critical path equipment by Matheson has also begun.

“Vertex looks forward to partnering with Matheson in support of our renewable diesel initiative at the Mobile refinery,” said James Rhame, chief operating officer of Vertex. “Matheson brings proven technical expertise to the project, positioning us to accelerate our energy transition strategy. We look forward to continued collaboration as we move toward project commissioning and operations.”

According to Matheson, this initiative demonstrates its commitment to gases supply for commercially sound renewable energy projects and represents a significant additional dimension for its global HyCO footprint.

It also enhances Matheson HyCO’s presence in the region, which includes existing facilities at McIntosh and Saraland in Alabama, and Pensacola in western Florida.