On May 12, Air Liquide Japan together with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, JH2A and Mitsui Bussan Plastics has been adopted by New Energy and Industrial Development Organization (NEDO) which reviews rules and standards for the Japanese specifications of European hydrogen trailer which would be related to large-sized and low-cost deliveries of hydrogen. The period of the project is limited to three years. 

The adopted project named “R&D for Optimization of Rules and Standards to Realize Increase in Capacity at Low Cost” is aimed to develop a trailer to transport a large volume of hydrogen at low cost. 

They wish to realize the aim by means of applying the trailer of type 4 (resin liner plus CFRP) to Japan. To this end ALJ will proceed with optimization of necessary rules and standards. Prior to the adoption they reviewed rules and standards of Japanese trailers to be modified in the European style in the NEDO’s research project 2023 titled “Research on Technological Development and Optimization of Rules and Standards of Hydrogen Transport Trailers.” Based on the result, they will obtain necessary records of performance and data for preliminary evaluation and amendments of ministerial ordinances and plan to make a more concrete proposal.

In Europe bundles of 12 to 14 hydrogen tanks each (Type 4 of 350ℓ) are loaded on ISO containers and connected with several lots. The filling pressure is higher at 30MPa than the Japanese specifications at 19.6 MPa, and loaded number of tanks is four times of Type 1 up to a transport capacity of 3 times more than Type 3. 

  ALJ comments, “In Europe new participants in the market are thriving one after another comparing with the period when the research business started. Even in the same Type 4 there has now appeared a tank having a capacity specification of more than 600ℓ. The hydrogen loading capacity of trailer is the same or even more and the number for loading is reduced to half of the type of 350ℓ. We wish to take into consideration the latest market trend in this NEDO project. 

The European hydrogen trailer is quite different from the trailer which has so far been operated in Japan. As it is difficult to apply the trailer to the current framework, we would like to classify it as a new category. 

In addition, if we can realize standardization of rules like those of Europe, there would be possibilities for us to be able to export to Europe as well as in Japan using our boasting technology of mass production. 

  It would also be able to lead to expansion of hydrogen trailer market as well as realization of a more efficient transportation.”