This engagement assessed the commercial viability of a compact hydrogen generator (CHG) by benchmarking it against incumbent large-scale SMR and cryogenic liquid hydrogen supply chains. ADI analyzed the trade-offs between capital recovery and sourcing diversity for refiners to address rising hydroprocessing capacity needs.
The client
Energy technology R&D organization
The situation
Uncertainty regarding how small-scale hydrogen generation competes with merchant pipelines and traditional SMR licensors in a refining context.
ADI’s contributions
SMR technology benchmarking
ADI compared technical specs against standard licensors, evaluating how the technology addresses refinery off-gas recovery needs.
Sourcing redundancy analysis
Quantitative assessment of how local, high-deliverability hydrogen units reduce risk for LNG and methanol project developers.
Refiner portfolio screening
Using proprietary databases, ADI identified specific facilities where site-driven technology selection favors decentralized supply.
Value chain positioning
Evaluation of partnership models with industrial gas majors to bridge the gap between R&D and commercial scale-up.
Key outcomes
Identified ~30 refineries and several methanol projects with the highest propensity to adopt decentralized hydrogen supply solutions.
Client Results
The experience provided by a boutique player that can deliver a very good product in a short span of time is worth its weight in gold. ADI delivered exactly what we needed.
Joe Sentmanat
Director, Finance Risk Mgmt, LyondellBasell
ADI evaluated methanol as a power‑generation fuel by comparing turbine retrofit requirements, fuel handling needs, and emissions performance against diesel and LNG. The analysis relied on levelized cost of electricity models alongside OEM input on combustion performance and operational limitations. Results focused on small‑ to mid‑scale plants where gas access or emissions compliance posed challenges. […]
This study examined the global ammonia (NH3) value chain and CO2 conversion landscape, evaluating the technical maturity of steam methane reforming (SMR), autothermal reforming (ATR), and electrolysis-based production. ADI analyzed the economics of NH3 as a hydrogen carrier versus liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), including the energy-intensive decomposition steps required for re-conversion. The work profiled […]
ADI evaluated global hydrogen demand across high-volume refining and ammonia sectors alongside emerging small-volume applications in semiconductors and glass. The study utilized technical benchmarks for SMR and electrolysis to identify segments where on-site reliability and high purity levels (99.9999%+) justify compact reactor adoption over traditional tube trailer delivery. The client Industrial technology provider The situation […]
ADI assessed the feasibility of a 5,000-mtpd export-oriented methanol plant in Africa, modeling investment economics for grey and blue production pathways. The analysis integrated steam methane reforming (SMR), autothermal reforming (ATR), and two-step reforming technologies with carbon capture retrofits to evaluate total capital requirements and internal rates of return. Uncertainty modeling addressed feedstock price volatility […]
ADI performed an independent assessment of the technical and economic viability of modular methanol plants in North American shale basins. Research explored the cost arbitrage of converting flared or stranded gas into liquid chemical products across a wide range of feedstock pricing. Analysis identified critical risks in process scale-up and the competitive impact of U.S. […]
ADI Analytics helped a leading methanol producer develop best practices for methanol sales and offtake contracts based on a survey of customers and their procurement practices, contracting strategies, and pricing structures. The client A leading methanol producer was interested in refining their sales, offtake, and pricing contracts and strategies based on industry best practices. The […]
In the July 2026 edition, we examine how carbon regulation, portfolio optimization, and emerging technologies are reshaping the chemical industry. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is increasing cost pressure on emissions-intensive imports and accelerating the shift toward lower-carbon supply chains, while evolving chemical regulations continue to influence compliance and sustainability strategies. Meanwhile, investments, […]
Utility capital projects are facing mounting delays and cost pressures in 2026, even as AI-driven demand fuels record capex. Meanwhile, the upstream oil and gas market is stabilizing around a normalizing shale cost curve, bulk liquid storage operators are shifting toward capability-driven growth, and the energy transition is exposing critical minerals bottlenecks that are pushing […]