EBARA Developed the World’s First Liquid Hydrogen Booster Pump
The world's first Liquid Hydrogen Booster Pump. (Image source: EBARA CORPORATION)
According to the announcement of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) in 2022, it is expected that more than 10% of the world energy trade will be based on hydrogen in 2050. In addition, the global hydrogen market is forecast to grow to over 200 trillion yen, and countries and companies around the world are stepping up their efforts.1
In August 2021, Ebara launched a hydrogen project as an enterprise project with the goal of commercialization under the direct control of Ebara's president. EBARA has technological capabilities compatible with a hydrogen company in the processes of hydrogen production, hydrogen transport, and end use. Specifically for hydrogen transport, we have technologies for cryogenic liquid hydrogen pumps as well as compressors. EBARA has developed various transportation methods to realize the hydrogen society, such as liquid hydrogen, compressed hydrogen, and liquid ammonia.
In 2019, EBARA began developing the world's first liquid hydrogen booster pump for hydrogen power generation, which is needed to supply hydrogen to gas turbines for hydrogen power generation, under a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) grant project. Using the prototype of this liquid hydrogen pump, they conducted a test with liquid hydrogen at -253°C at JAXA Noshiro Experimental Station (Akita) in October 2022. The results obtained were positive and contributed to the development of a high-flow booster pump.
Liquid hydrogen to be used for hydrogen power generation is transported from overseas to a storage tank. When the liquid hydrogen is discharged from the tank and fed to a hydrogen gas turbine, a booster pump is required. Due to the high degree of technical difficulty, there are currently no large capacity pumps on the market that can pump liquid hydrogen at -253°C and high pressure for power generation. Based on the strong high-pressure centrifugal pumps and cryogenic technology, EBARA plans to launch it in 2023 as the world's first pump to supply liquid hydrogen. An interim report on developments was presented at the NEDO debriefing in late July 2022.
With next-generation cryogenic fuel transfer and delivery technology, from liquid hydrogen storage to gas turbines for hydrogen power generation, they will play a role in connecting with every technology to support the hydrogen society. EBARA will accelerate its efforts to achieve a hydrogen market and carbon neutrality by 2050 and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
1 Citation: IRENA (2022), Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation: The Hydrogen Factor, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. ISBN: 978-92-9260-370-0
Source: EBARA CORPORATION
