In the project named “Verification of H2 Supply Chain from Unused Energy Adopting the “Organic Chemical Hydride Method” which is carried out using the subsidy of NEDO by AHEAD (the Advanced Hydrogen Energy Chain Association for Technology Development) which is joined by member companies of Chiyoda, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Nippon Yusen Kaisha, the dehydrogenation plant constructed in Toa Oil Keihin Refinery located along the Kawasaki Seafront Area was put in operation on April 24. It was followed by the supply of hydrogen separated for the gas turbine of Mizue Thermal Power Plant in the refinery on May 26.

In a sequence of the preparations from the production of methylcyclohexan (MCH) in Brunei Darussalam and the separation of H2 from MCH in Japan, a world-first international H2 transportation (annual capacity of 210 tons to transport H2 equivalent to the filling volume for 40 thousand FCVs) has been materialized. It means that we now have a complete link of H2 supply chain between Brunei Darussalam and Japan.

The Organic Chemical Hydride Method is adopted to take out H2 in gas form by separating H2 from toluene (Dehydrogenation Reaction) at a site of demand after transforming H2 and toluene into a liquid MCH by chemical reaction at an ambient temperature and pressure (Hydrogenating Reaction).

In the verification at this time, the MCH steam-reformed from H2 and toluene out of the process generating gas of LNG plant in Brunei Darussalam of the resource country were stored and transported to Japan of H2 consumer where the H2 is supplied to Toa Oil Keihin Refinery for the fuel of power generating gas turbine, while the toluene dehydrogenated from MCH is returned to Brunei Darussalam where it is reformed into MCH after coupling with H2 to use for repeated transportations of H2.

The verification project was scheduled to form a plan on the examination of the basic technology and the action plan of project during two years from 2015 to 2016, and to start designing and the construction in 2017, and completed the experimental operation in March 2020. With the start of stable operation of the dehydrogenation plant at this time it is now scheduled to start a practical verification.

In future, the AHEAD will tackle a theme for study on the practical use of the Organic Chemical Hydride Method and aim to establish a commercial H2 supply chain by proceeding of the verification business. The H2 supply chain will be effective until the end of 2020.

The ultimate target of the verification business is to establish a stable large-scaled H2 supply system well responsive to the expected demand for H2 in the introductive phase of H2 power generation in 2030 or so.

The METI defines in its Road Map of H2/FC Strategy (formulated in March 2019 that the project is an influential means for low carbonization as well as the transfer of H2 power generation to a reusable energy power source. In addition, the basic strategy of H2 and the 5th master plan of energy are aimed for commercialization of H2 power generation in 2030.