Hrein Energy in Wind Hydrogen Test

20 July 2008

Nikkei. Hrein Energy Inc., a Japan-based developer of hydrogen storage systems based on organic hydrides (earlier post), is working with the Wakkanai Alternative and Renewable Energy Study Group to test a system that will store hydrogen produced through wind-powered electrolysis of water in Hrein’s organic hydrides.

Electricity to run the project comes from wind turbines the study group has installed in Wakkanai. The hydrogen will be reacted with toluene to produce an organic hydride, allowing it to be stored in a liquid state at room temperature and ambient pressure, then transported safely by tank truck. The hydrogen produced will be used as fuel in an automobile to be demonstrated at an environment and energy summit that runs from July 25-28 in Sapporo.

Organic hydrides are liquids under atmospheric temperature and pressure, yet offer relatively high hydrogen content: between 6-8 wt.%. An example of the reaction is:

Methylcyclohexane C₇H₁₄↔Toluene C₇H₈ + 3H₂

Because the organic hydrides are liquids (not to be confused with liquefied hydrogen), the existing fuel storage, transportation and refueling infrastructure could basically be maintained were the liquids applied to transportation.

Organic chemical hydrides can freely produce and absorb H2 gas by catalytic reaction under mild conditions. Hrein developed a spray pulse reactor that feeds the reactant (the organic hydride liquid) to the hot catalyst surface as atomized liquid.

In February, Hrein successfully test-drove a 1.2-liter Nissan March retrofitted with an on-board organic hydride system that delivers supplemental hydrogen to the gasoline engine. (Earlier post.)