H2Tech - Q1 2021 - 27

ADVANCES IN HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY
and converted to transportable H2 that
could then be transported by LOHC for
use in clean power generation at another
desired location. In this case, it is further
demonstrated that having dehydrogenation adjacent to the SOFC makes possible
efficient heat integration between the fuel
cell, which generates waste heat, and the
endothermic dehydrogenation plant.
Hydrogen fueling stations. An additional demo project funded by NEDO targeted the use of LOHC to transport H2 for
use in distributed fueling stations. These
stations could service passenger FCEVs
or even larger fuel cells used in heavy-duty
trucks or other large transport vehicles. For
this study, a small-scale, packaged dehydrogenation facility was developed for testing (FIG. 11). In the process flow, methylcyclohexane from storage is dehydrogenated
in the compact recovery plant, and then
recovered H2 is purified to meet fuel cell
specifications before being compressed to
approximately 700 bar prior to use.

H2 acceleration and volume increase is
expected to meet this target (FIG. 12).
Future applications consider greatly

SPECIAL FOCUS

expanded mobility uses both in the form
of private and public transport, accelerated use in materials and goods movement

FIG. 10. Small-scale power-to-gas demonstration project in Yokohama, Japan.

Pathway to commercialization. The

SPERA technology, having been proven
at both the pilot and demo scale, was
deemed ready for commercial roll-out.
In the Kawasaki demonstration, H2 produced remotely was transported via
LOHC over 5,000 km and ultimately consumed in a gas turbine used for generating
electric power. The demo plant's capacity
of 210 metric tpy was simply a capacity of
convenience-i.e., large enough to prove
the capabilities of the supply chain while
limiting the initial investment. Much
larger and more ambitious transport programs have already been evaluated; these
vary in size according to the specifics of
the various applications.
The next step, envisioned for the 2025-
2026 time frame, provides for utilization
in mobility and industrial applications,
along with gas turbine consumption of
clean-burning H2 of up to 30% in the fuel.
Plans for this second chain provide for up
to 1 BNm3/yr of H2 (90,000 metric t).
By 2030, up to 3.3 BNm3/yr of H2
utilization is planned. This volume is
equivalent to 300,000 metric tpy, according to Japan's Hydrogen Strategy outlined
in 2017. In addition, Japan announced a
target to introduce 3 metric MMtpy of H2
use by 2030, as per the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's " Green growth
strategy towards 2050 carbon neutrality, "
released in December 2020. Significant

FIG. 11. Small-scale dehydrogenation facility developed for H2 fueling demonstration project.

FIG. 12. Pathway to commercialization for the SPERA Hydrogen technology.a
H2Tech | Q1 2021 27

H2Tech - Q1 2021

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