Sumisho Air mobile hydrogen filling station
Tokyo-based Sumisho Air Water Company has developed a mobile hydrogen filling station for supplying fuel cell vehicles, according to the Nikkei Business Daily. The truck-mounted system comprises a high-pressure hydrogen dispenser and a hydrogen storage tank able to withstand 400 bar (5700 psi), compared with conventional onboard tanks rated for 350 bar (5000 psi). The company has also developed a system outfitted with a compressor that can accept and pressurize industrial-use hydrogen, stored at low pressure and delivered by truck.
The report added that Toyota and Nissan are to employ the systems. Toyota will purchase a system comprising a high-pressure dispenser and storage tank for ¥50-60m (US$420 000-500 000), and Nissan will lease a compressorequipped system for ¥2m ($17 000) per week.
Fuel cell power generation at Chubu Electric
Chubu Electric Power in central Japan has begun to generate electricity using a 300 kWe molten carbonate fuel cell in combination with a waste gasification system, according to a Jiji Press report. The fuel cell is in operation at the company's Shin-Nagoya Thermal Power Plant in Chubu, generating electricity for use at the plant.
The fuel cell -developed with Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI), and support from NEDO -can generate power from gases produced by burning waste paper and other materials, in addition to conventional fuels such as natural gas. After confirming its basic performance with natural gas, the company will begin testing with waste gases between late 2003 and March 2004.
The company apparently plans to develop a 3 MWe fuel cell for commercial use by 2008.