How one startup is making cleaner asphalt by decarbonizing natural gas [Video]

Companies like Monolith and Seattle-based startup Modern Hydrogen are using new technologies to create a cleaner hydrogen that’s also creating a useful byproduct — solid carbon that can be used to make petroleum-free asphalt materials.

“Modern Hydrogen produces clean hydrogen without renewable power. We can do this because we split apart natural gas into clean hydrogen and solid carbon,” said Tony Pan, CEO of Modern Hydrogen.

Natural gas is a cleaner fuel than oil, but it still emits harmful carbon dioxide when burned.

Clients put the Modern Hydrogen system, which looks like a large box, where they would normally use their natural gas. The system first separates the gas into solid carbon and clean hydrogen. The client then uses that emission-free hydrogen fuel. A portion of it also powers the system.

Modern Hydrogen has a second business selling the leftover carbon to asphalt makers. Using carbon, instead of the usual …