ENEOS has constructed a demonstration plant in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, to produce methylcyclohexane (MCH), a type of hydrogen carrier, using its proprietary low-cost “electrochemical synthesis of organic hydride” method (Direct MCH).
The opening ceremony was on January 30, and the plant will begin operation in February. ENEOS has worked to scale up electrolyzers using Direct MCH technology in order to mass produce MCH derived from renewable energy (Green MCH).
The 150-kilowatt-scale medium-sized electrolyzer, which ENEOS recently succeeded in developing the technology for, consists of stacked electrodes with a surface area of 3 square meters.
The electrolyzer realizes increased efficiency in MCH production with electrodes which are nearly the largest by size that is used industrially.
The demonstration plant will produce green MCH by combining the medium-sized electrolyzer with a 250-kilowatt solar power system in Queensland, which is ideal for solar power generation.
With the aim of maximizing production efficiency, the plant will confirm the durability of the electrolyzer under subtropical conditions as well as develop optimal operation and control technologies for it when plant operation is adjusted to match fluctuations in solar power during the approximately eight-month-long demonstration period from February to September 2023.
Additionally, during the demonstration period, MCH equivalent to approximately 2 to 3 tons of hydrogen for 400 to 600 fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) will be produced and transported to Japan, where hydrogen will be extracted from MCH in ENEOS’ Central Technical Research Laboratory.
