Japanese duo to build ammonia cracking tech for hydrogen supply chain project

Japanese companies Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Nippon Shokubai will develop ammonia cracking technology for a hydrogen supply chain project.

IMAGE: Getty Images

The technology will be used for compatriot New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO’s) project - ‘Development of Technologies for Building a Competitive Hydrogen Supply Chain’.

The consortium aims to develop technology for constructing a hydrogen supply chain using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier – a medium to store and transport hydrogen, MHI said. The project will promote development of medium-scale, decentralised ammonia cracking systems near hydrogen demand sites.

According to the Ammonia Energy Association, ammonia cracking is typically done at temperatures of 850-950°C using a nickel catalyst.

However, this project will advance ammonia cracking technology using steam and exhaust gases, employing a low-temperature, highly active and highly durable ammonia cracking catalyst without the use of noble metals that are typically used in conventional low-temperature active catalysts.

As a project partner, MHI will deliver the front-end engineering design (FEED) for the demonstration plant and finalise its specifications, with support from compatriot Hokkaido Electric Power (HEPCO).

Meanwhile, Nippon Shokubai will oversee the development of technologies focused on verifying the durability of ammonia cracking catalysts.

The two companies will carry out these activities through 2027 using a commercial-scale demonstration plant, with a focus on long-term testing, MHI said.

NEDO, under Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), supports projects related to the development of hydrogen technologies. It recently backed a project to conduct land-based tests of marine hydrogen engines.

By Aparupa Mazumder

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online