Posted on 07/08/2025 8:34:54 AM PDT by Red Badger
The accidental reaction was quietly reported within the company and then forgotten for nearly two decades.
ack in the early 2000s, engineers working for the Techint Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Italy and Argentina, were trying to fine-tune a new electric arc furnace at a steel plant. But something strange happened. The carbon electrodes in the furnace weren’t breaking down as expected. Instead, they were getting bigger.
What the engineers had unknowingly triggered was a chemical process called pyrolysis, burning a material in the absence of oxygen.
In this case, the furnace was splitting methane into two valuable byproducts: hydrogen gas and solid carbon. This accidental reaction was quietly reported within the company and then forgotten for nearly two decades.
“Back then, nobody cared because nobody cared about methane pyrolysis, about hydrogen,” said Massimiliano Pieri, now CEO of Tulum Energy.
That changed recently when Techint’s venture capital arm, TechEnergy Ventures, began looking for cleaner ways to make hydrogen. It didn’t take long for someone at the company to remember that forgotten internal report.
“Someone in the company realized, ‘But we already have that. We have this discovery,’” Pieri explained.
The result was Tulum Energy—a new startup formed to revive the two-decade-old discovery and turn it into a real business. And so far, it’s working.
Tulum just raised $27 million in seed funding from big names like TDK Ventures and CDP Venture Capital, with support from Doral Energy-Tech Ventures, MITO Tech Ventures, and TechEnergy Ventures, as reported by TechCrunch.
Hydrogen without the CO₂
Methane pyrolysis is now attracting interest from multiple startups as a cleaner way to produce hydrogen. The usual method—called steam methane reforming—releases a lot of carbon dioxide. But pyrolysis avoids that by operating without oxygen, leaving behind only hydrogen gas and solid carbon.
Several companies are now chasing this low-emission method, including Modern Hydrogen, Molten Industries, and Monolith. But Tulum claims it has a unique advantage.
Unlike some competitors, Tulum doesn’t need expensive catalysts to drive the chemical reaction. Instead, it relies on its modified electric arc furnace—a common industrial tool. That makes the process simpler and potentially cheaper.
“This gives you a big head start,” Pieri said.
Now, Tulum is building a pilot plant in Mexico right next to one of Techint Group’s existing steel mills. If the pilot goes smoothly, the steel plant could start buying both the hydrogen and the solid carbon directly from Tulum for use in its daily operations.
At full-scale operation, a commercial Tulum plant could produce two tons of hydrogen and 600 tons of carbon each day. Those numbers are meaningful, especially when you consider how much industry is shifting toward lower-emission energy options.
$1.50 hydrogen could disrupt the market
One of the biggest advantages of Tulum’s approach is cost. The company believes it can eventually produce hydrogen for around $1.50 per kilogram in the U.S. That’s just 50 cents more than today’s hydrogen made from natural gas, and significantly cheaper than so-called “green hydrogen” made from electrolysis using renewable power.
And that estimate doesn’t even include revenue from selling the solid carbon. Depending on how the carbon is used—whether in materials, construction, or even electronics—it could become an added revenue stream, helping to further lower the cost of hydrogen production.
No, silly. Bill Clinton had Lewinskishlongness.
Solid carbon? That’s coal, isn’t it?
No, man. He had Peyronie’s. Bent wiener syndrome.
LOL! keyboard lost.
Crystallized, it’s diamonds!.............
This is an A.I. answer about the safety of hydrogen fuel.
While hydrogen fuel is highly flammable and can pose risks if not handled properly, it is generally considered safe when handled according to established safety protocols and regulations. It’s important to understand both the potential hazards and the safety measures associated with hydrogen to ensure its safe use.
Potential Hazards:
Flammability:
Hydrogen is highly flammable and can ignite easily, potentially leading to fires and explosions.
Invisible Flame:
Hydrogen flames are often difficult to see, which can make it challenging to detect leaks or fires.
Explosiveness:
Hydrogen can form explosive mixtures with air, particularly in enclosed spaces, increasing the risk of explosions if not handled properly.
Rapid Dissipation:
While hydrogen’s rapid dissipation can reduce the risk of ignition in open spaces, it can also lead to accumulation in confined areas, potentially creating a hazardous situation.
Hydrogen Embrittlement:
Hydrogen can weaken metal structures, potentially causing them to crack or fail under stress.
Frostbite:
Contact with liquid hydrogen can cause severe frostbite and tissue damage.
Safety Measures:
Proper Ventilation:
Adequate ventilation is crucial to prevent hydrogen from accumulating in confined spaces, minimizing the risk of explosions and asphyxiation.
Leak Detection:
Specialized leak detection equipment and procedures are necessary to identify and address leaks promptly.
Pressure Management:
Proper pressure management and control systems are essential to prevent over-pressurization and potential explosions.
Protective Gear:
Workers handling hydrogen should wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves and eye protection, to prevent frostbite and other injuries.
Training and Procedures:
Thorough training and established safety procedures are crucial for all personnel handling hydrogen.
Infrastructure Design:
Hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure must be designed and maintained to the highest safety standards to minimize risks.
In Conclusion:
Hydrogen can be a safe and effective fuel source when handled with proper precautions and adhering to established safety protocols. Understanding the potential hazards and implementing appropriate safety measures are critical for mitigating risks associated with hydrogen fuel.
I do not know if the auto industry has adequately addressed all the hydrogen safety questions.
Graphite is solid carbon, not coal. Or a diamond.
Oh. Thanks.
Has?....................
Lots of great inventions came from research/lab 'accidents'...
Crystallized, it’s graphite!.............
These “breakthroughs” never seem to pan out
How can hydrogen cost $1.50 per kilogram? Do you the scale on the ceiling?
CO2 is not a pollutant.
That all sounds fine for an industrial operation, but I question whether it can be a successful consumer fuel.
Secondary benefit - fuels/energy currently consumed by industrial operations can be diverted to consumer use.
Energy is the commodity - if additional forms become available... a good thing.
Good question.
Hydrogen embrittlement was a big topic in metallurgy class in grad school.
You’d have to redesign engines to burn it.
Hydrogen can be safely stored by milling it in a high energy ball mill with hexagonal boron nitride.
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