10-01-2023

Autothermal Reforming technology selected for first low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia production in Japan

Air Liquide, through Air Liquide Engineering & Construction, is actively leveraging on its complete portfolio of innovative technology solutions to support the decarbonization of its industrial customers. Autothermal Reforming (ATR) is one of the latest technologies utilized enabling the efficient production of large scale, low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, when combined with carbon capture technology. One of the leading companies for ATR, Air Liquide's technology has been selected for Japan's first demonstration project owned and operated by INPEX CORPORATION  to produce low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia.

While other reliable solutions are available on the market today, such as Steam Methane Reforming with carbon capture, ATR is one of the most suitable options for specific larger scale low-carbon hydrogen production facilities. When ATR is combined with carbon capture technology, customers can achieve higher energy efficiency, lower investments and a simplified single train production process to facilitate carbon capture of up to 99% in highly integrated industrial facilities.  

Air Liquide is one of the leading companies for Autothermal Reforming with proprietary technologies in the ATR process for large scale syngas production applications. Air Liquide Engineering & Construction will now provide the technology for low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia production to a pilot project owned and operated by INPEX CORPORATION, a Japanese oil & gas exploration and production company. ATR will be part of the development of the Kashiwazaki Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia Project in the Hirai area of Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The overall project will be Japan’s first demonstration project integrating low-carbon Hydrogen and Ammonia production with carbon capture.

Michael J. Graff, Executive Vice President, Air Liquide Group, stated: "Air Liquide’s expertise in providing customers with efficient, reliable, innovative technologies and solutions is at the heart of our ambitions to support the decarbonization of industries. We are pleased to collaborate with INPEX CORPORATION and to be one of the contributors to the development of this first demonstration low-carbon Hydrogen and Ammonia project in Japan.”