Axens teams up with Chiyoda to unlock hydrogen supply chain issue with the combination of Axens’ toluene hydrogenation technology and Chiyoda’s SPERA hydrogen technology
The purpose of this cooperation is to facilitate hydrogen supply chain projects via methylcyclohexane (MCH) (1) as Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC), and promote a combination of Axens’ Toluene Hydrogenation technology and Chiyoda’s SPERA Hydrogen™ technology.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the size of the hydrogen economy could be as large as 150 million tons annually in 2030. The hydrogen long distance transportation from favorable areas of production to main consumption countries remains a key challenge to be addressed from technical and economical point of view.
Chiyoda’s SPERA Hydrogen™ technology utilizes MCH as a LOHC and with Chiyoda’s proprietary dehydrogenation catalyst, it produces hydrogen and toluene from MCH with high conversion and high selectivity.
Axens’ Toluene Hydrogenation technology uses high performance homogeneous catalysis resulting in high purity MCH production from toluene and hydrogen with optimized energy efficiency. This technology is backed up by Axens unmatched experience in the field of hydrogenation through process optimization and extensive catalyst development.
The combination of both technologies through the JCCA will:
- bring strong synergies allowing fast track approach for project implementation; and
- provide a single point of contact to reduce the burden of customer coordination between two licensors.
This JCCA based on the usage of proven technologies using MCH as a LOHC, will help the emergence of the hydrogen market while mitigating:
- issues linked to safety and difficulties of hydrogen transport and storage; and
- technology cost intensity by using existing infrastructure, regulations, and standards.
Signing this alliance will enable Chiyoda and Axens to jointly develop worldwide hydrogen markets thus accelerating and scaling up the hydrogen supply chain, contributing to a long-term CO2 emission reduction, to be on track to net-zero.
(1) MCH: a chemically stable liquid produced from toluene and hydrogen that can be handled in a liquid state at ambient temperature and pressure. It is widely used as a pharmaceutical agent, solvent for agrichemical production, admixture for jet-fuel, solvent for correction liquid, etc.
About Chiyoda
Established in 1948, Chiyoda Corporation, head quartered in Yokohama, Japan, provides services and solutions including proprietary technologies in the fields of total planning (i.e. Feasibility Study, Pre-FEED), consultation and execution including engineering, procurement, and construction for global challenges to transition and carbon neutralization of energy and materials based on the many valued achievements through gas processing, oil refining, environmental conservation or industrial projects on a global basis.
Chiyoda Corporation Chairman of the Board, President & CEO is Mr. Masakazu Sakakida.
Press contact: irpr@chiyodacorp.com
About Axens
Axens group provides a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, the chemical recycling of plastics, all natural gas treatment and conversion options along with water treatment and carbon capture. The offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services. Axens is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility study to unit start-up and follow-up throughout the entire unit life cycle. This unique position ensures the highest level of performance with a reduced environmental footprint. Axens global offer is based on highly trained human resources, modern production facilities and an extended global network for industrial, technical supports & commercial services. Axens is an IFP Group company.
Press contact: press@axens.net