Current Status of Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Toward coming hydrogen society, Osaka Gas has done the analysis of hydrogen production cost, the development of hydrogen production unit and the investigation of high-pressure hydrogen production system using supercritical water. Hydrogen production cost at the on-site natural gas reforming type station was calculated as 50yen/Nm³ in the commercial period while hydrogen cost would depend on the operation time of hydrogen production unit per year significantly. Also 50% reduction of footprint and cost was achieved in the development of natural gas reforming type hydrogen production that would be a key for hydrogen refueling station. In addition hydrogen production system based on biomass gasification was studied as a hydrogen production technology in a recycling society. Supercritical water gasification based on Osaka Gas’ catalytic technology made it possible to reform sewage sludge as well as methanol at low temperature.