A feasibility study for the production of clean hydrogen in Japan from garbage, including municipal waste, has been started by Idemitsu Kosan.
Idemitsu stated that the study’s objective is to open the first hydrogen production facility, capable of processing 200-300 tonnes of waste per day, around 2030. The study is being carried out in collaboration with US-based H-Cycle (HC), a developer of a thermal conversion process that uses heat and electricity to transform waste into hydrogen with minimal emissions.
The Japanese company stated that waste discharged in Japan, including municipal waste, will be used as raw material in the hydrogen production now being considered by the two companies. It added that the system will convert these waste products into high-valued clean hydrogen using an integrated gasification and plasma polishing process for which HC has exclusive rights to use in Japan.
Idemitsu emphasised that clean hydrogen may be created and supplied locally by using resources like garbage as a raw material, and that this kind of production will be viable in various parts of Japan through cooperation with local governments.
Idemitsu added that the clean hydrogen generated is anticipated to be used as a raw material for synthetic fuels as well as industrial and transportation uses.
