Hydrogen is a possible energy carrier in the near future, because it has fruitful characteristics as for reversible conversion and high volumetric storage density of energy. By using the total energy system integrated by electrolysis, metal hydride and fuel cell functions, it is possible to realize simultaneously the effective use of energy, the load leveling of electricity, and the energy cost reduction. In this report, we have picked up the critical R&D issues as for the system engineering and the component design to achieve the high energy-performance, based on the energy flow analysis of such a total system. Next, we have performed both of the numerical analysis and the scope experiment to obtain the optimum thermal-hydraulic design technologies among electrolysis pressure, hydrogen flow rate and metal hydride utilization rate.

A purpose of this research work is to enhance the safety of hydrogen facilities such as hydrogen refueling stations. Characteristic of hydrogen explosion was studied using experimental data conducted by IAE and SRII, and numerical simulations of shock wave propagation by explosion were performed to study the effect of protective walls. Result of numerical simulations agreed well with experiments. As the result of simulations on various conditions, it was found that protective wall should have certain width at least 12 meters, and the reduction effect of explosion overpressure greatly depends on the height of the wall and it does not depend on its configuration.

Sensitivity analysis of operation parameters on thermal efficiency to produce hydrogen, on flow rate and on exchanged heat in the thermochemical water splitting IS process was conducted. HI compositions before and after the electro-electrodialysis (EED) cell, properties of the cation exchange membrane (CEM) in the EED cell, pressure in the HI distillation column and HI decomposition rate at the hydrogen permselective membrane reactor were considered as operation parameters. Vapor-liquid equilibrium data of the pseudo-azeotropic mixture of HI-H₂O-I₂ at the HI distillation column was also discussed. HI compositions before and after the EED cell had great effects on thermal efficiency, flow rate and exchanged heat. The flow rate in the HI concentration/separation part was much influenced by those operation parameters. HI composition in the HI concentration/separation part was important for process design, and the composition should be optimized for effective operation. The influences of operation parameters on flow rate and exchanged heat were correlated. The pseudo-azeotropic composition of HI-H₂O-I₂ mixture was an important data. Accuracy of the data should be within around 2% to design the flow rate within 10% of error.

Steam reforming of n-dodecane, which is a representative component of kerosene, was carried out experimentally over Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst with Steam/Carbon molar ratio of 2-4 at 700-800℃. Forming gases contained H₂, CO, CO₂ and CH₄ and the compositions measured were agreed well the estimation values which were considered equilibriums for both CH₄ formation (CO + ₃H₂ = CH₄ + H₂O) and water gas shift reaction(CO + H₂O = CO₂ + H₂), postulating CO-H₂ mixture from stoichiometric steam reforming of n-dodecane (1/12C₁₂H₂₆ + H₂O = CO + 2.08H₂) as an initial gas reactant. Steam reforming of n-dodecane over Ru/Al₂O₃ with S/C = 2.43 at 800℃ stably proceeded during 5 days, demonstrating that 53% of water for steam reforming reacted and 57% of H₂ originated in water.

The catalytic activity of Pt catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is affected by the features of Pt oxide such as thickness and water content. In this study, the effect of Pt oxide on ORR was studied by the electrochemical experiments and surface-enhanced infrared adsorption spectroscopy combined with attenuated-total-reflection technique (ATR-SEIRAS). From electrochemical experiments, the oxide effect increased with increasing the concentration of sulfuric acid. The results of FTIR spectra measurement suggested that the amount of water in Pt oxide and the thickness of Pt oxide increased with increasing the concentration of sulfuric acid.

Since the 1950s, research institutes and universities in Japan have been working on various types of fuel cells and hydrogen storage materials. Starting with the Sun Shine Project launched in 1974, a n umber of research activities were implemented as national projects. However, in the face of uncertainties regarding generation mechanism of fuel cells, characterization of materials and components of fuel cells, these research projects have not achieved scientific elucidation required for product development. It is only in recent years when the Japanese R&D program has promoted fundamental and scientific researches as a top priority. Degradation phenomena do not become clear until a certain length of operation and the analysis of the operation results have been done. Evaluation of a fuel cell stack or a system is insufficiently fed back to neither material development nor a mechanism elucidation. One of the most serious obstacles for active feedback between academic researches and commercialization of fuel cell has been a lack of system that enables academics and manufacturers to share information and cooperate among themselves. Those important lessons show us that what needed the most now is to execute basic researches extensively and to evaluate technologies in a cooperative manner.

The Ariake hydrogen station is built in the demonstration project to refuel to fuel cell vehicle. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government support this project, and Iwatani International Corporation and Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K have been operating this station together. This paper describes general feature of the Ariake hydrogen station.

As one of the hydrogen stations for JHFC (Japan Hydrogen and Fuel cell Demonstration) project that is supported by METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), Japan Airgases proposed to install on-site type methanol reforming hydrogen station in Kawasaki. This paper describes general feature of the JHFC Kawasaki hydrogen station.

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.

Fuel cells are expected to become key technology in the fields of energy and environmental issues in 21 century. With commercialization and popularization, they have great potential for bringing about an energy revolution. Therefore fuel cells, especially Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFC), are expected to become ubiquitous as small household co-generation systems utilizing waste heat. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) created city-gas-fueled stationary PEFC systems with the world smallest 1 kW system of 180L, and developed reforming catalysts and technologies for 6 kinds of fuel, namely, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, naphtha, methanol, and di-methyl-ether (DME), to serve as hydrogen supply resources.