Wednesday 20 / May / 2026
Muscat: Omani researcher Nawaar Nasser Al Amri, a Business Excellence Specialist at the Integrated Gas Company (IGC), has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable energy research after winning the National Research Award in the Energy and Industry field under the Young Researcher category for her project titled “A process efficiency enhancement of integrated H2 liquefaction followed by CO2 solidification: A 3E’s analysis–energy, exergy, and economic”, which focuses on advancing hydrogen purification and liquefaction technologies.
Through this research project, Ms. Nawaar Al Amri has developed an integrated, energy-efficient process for purifying and liquefying hydrogen-rich gas produced from biomass (biohydrogen). Her research addresses one of the key challenges facing future low-carbon energy systems, namely the high energy demand and cost associated with conventional hydrogen liquefaction processes.
The proposed system utilizes cryogenic anti-sublimation technology to solidify carbon dioxide (CO₂) while hydrogen remains in its gaseous form, enabling high-purity separation. Hydrogen is subsequently liquefied through optimized refrigeration cycles and ortho-to-para conversion reactors, producing liquid hydrogen with over 99% para-hydrogen composition.
The study demonstrates significant improvements in energy efficiency and process performance. By optimizing refrigerant flow rates and compressor pressures, energy consumption was reduced from 9.62 to approximately 7.5 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen, while exergy efficiency increased from 31.5% to 41.3%. Compared to conventional liquefaction systems, which typically require between 12–15 kWh/kg, the proposed approach substantially reduces the energy footprint of liquid hydrogen production. Economic evaluation also revealed notable reductions in both capital and operating costs, lowering the total annualized cost to approximately USD 36.3 million. These results position the technology as a promising and scalable approach for future clean hydrogen systems.
Based on these findings, Ms. Nawaar Al Amri recommends adopting energy-efficient cryogenic techniques, such as CO₂ anti-sublimation, for purifying and liquefying biohydrogen to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs. She also highlights the importance of optimizing refrigerant selection, flow rates, and operating conditions to maximize exergy efficiency. Integrating CO₂ capture within the process can enhance environmental sustainability while creating opportunities for CO₂ utilization or permanent storage.
The study also highlights the need to address challenges related to biomass feedstock availability, purity, scalability, and supply, while exploring advanced optimization algorithms and dynamic simulations to further enhance system performance. Scaling up this approach can support clean hydrogen value chains, promote low-carbon energy solutions, and strengthen infrastructure for future hydrogen-based industries.
Ms. Nawaar Al Amri stated that this research is particularly relevant to the Sultanate of Oman’s growing focus on hydrogen as a future clean energy carrier. Under Oman Vision 2040 and the national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Oman is actively investing in hydrogen technologies and large-scale hydrogen projects. Innovations that improve hydrogen purification, liquefaction efficiency, and transportation can contribute to building a competitive hydrogen economy and position Oman as an emerging participant in the global clean hydrogen market.
This research project was published in the peer-reviewed journalProcess Safety and Environmental Protection. The research team consists of Ms. Nawaar Al Amri, Dr.Muhammad Abdul Qyyum, Dr.Junaid Haider, Dr.Ahmad Naquash, and Prof. Ala’a Al Muhtaseb.
Commenting on her win, Ms. Nawaar Al Amri stated “Winning the National Research Award is a great honor and a meaningful recognition of the hard work, dedication, and innovation invested in this research. It serves as a strong motivation for me to continue exploring advanced solutions in sustainable and renewable energy, particularly in biohydrogen and clean hydrogen technologies. This recognition reinforces my commitment to contributing to Oman’s clean energy transition and to the national scientific and research community. It also reflects the valuable support available for early-career researchers, and I look forward to further opportunities that enable collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the continued advancement of this field toward real-world impact.”
