“Pressure regulator manufacturer Yamato Sangyo is now developing a world first ultrahigh-pressure regulator “HIR-5S-ST” capable to cope with a large-volume flow for the commercial hydrogen (H2) fueling stations which are equipped with both 70MPa and 35MPa dispensers. This regulator has been developed in anticipation of the situation that the parallel installation of H2 stands for both 82MPa and 40MPa will become popular generally in the hydrogen stations where preparations are now on the way prior to the full-fledged introduction of fuel cell vehicles (FCV) in 2015.

A station equipped with dispensers of filling pressures at both 70MPa and 35MPa needs to have two types of H2 storage vessel at 82MPa and 40MPa. However, in use of this pressure regulator, you can supply hydrogen using the 35MPa dispenser from the 82MPa storage vessel. Masahiro Onodera, president of the company says, “With this regulator a hydrogen station may be able to get rid of a storage vessel of 40MPa.” Furthermore, the regulator is designed to have a large flow capacity of 3,000 m3/h so that a large vehicle to fill big volume can save the filling time.

Hidenori Tanaka, assistant manager in charge of the technical equipment design of Technical department says, “Our conventional pressure reducer has a flow capacity of 400m3/h, but it cannot deal with any high-speed filling for such a large vehicle as buses to fill a big volume, although there is no problem in case of ordinary automobiles. So, there has been a need to cope with a flow capacity of 1500m3/h. That is why we have developed a type of large flow capacity.” The regulator was exhibited for reference in “FCEXPO” held in February. The final test is now on the way with an aimed commercialization in June.

The company has been developing pressure control equipment related to fuel cells since about ten years ago, and is planning to line up such products as pressure regulator, valve, safety device, stop valve and excess flow valve for supply to around the hydrogen stations.”