Oct 28, 2020 10:30 JST

Source: Mitsubishi Corporation

Trials of Jointly Developed Compact LNG Filling System to Commence in Hokkaido

TOKYO, Oct 28, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Air Water Inc. (Air Water) have jointly developed a compact LNG filling facility (Facility)(1) that can be used in space-limited logistics facilities. The equipment will be used to fuel heavy LNG-powered trucks.

This is the first portable filling system in Japan and the world's first off-grid power-generation system capable of fueling trucks with LNG even during power outages. Furthermore, by circulating hot water through its waste-heat recovery mechanism, the system can help to prevent freezing problems associated LNG operations in cold or highly humid regions.

In November, MC and Air Water will begin testing the system in Hokkaido, where it will be used to fuel three heavy LNG trucks, one manufactured by Isuzu Motors Ltd. and the other two by Italian firm. With the cooperation of Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc., the partners plan to assess the system's overall effectiveness and how much it can reduce CO2 emissions and fuels costs typically generated by heavy trucks. The results of the tests will help the partners to determine whether or not to make the system commercially available.

At present, heavy trucks fueled by LNG are not in commercial use in Japan. Most (approximately 500,000) of the heavy trucks on Japan's roads are diesel fueled, and there are growing concerns about the need to reduce their CO2 emissions. Unlike trucks powered by electric batteries or fuel cells, LNG fueled trucks have ranges in excess of 1,000 kilometers, and tests have already shown them to be capable of cutting CO2 emissions by more than 10% when compared to diesel-fueled trucks.(2) The partners are also considering ways to further reduce CO2 emissions in the future, such as by using CO2-free LNG.

To successfully commercialize this system, the partners will be relying on an effective marriage of their respective assets and expertise. MC has been developing a wide range of LNG operations since 1969 and can claim both an extensive business profile and industry-wide know-how, while, in addition to its logistics field of network, Air Water boasts an impressive lineup of development-and manufacturing technologies in the field of LNG, including tanker trucks and satellite supply facilities. This joint project represents a meaningful step towards our transition to cleaner energies, and both partners are confident that it can help to realize low-carbon or carbon-free societies in the future. MC and Air Water are aiming to install this system in locations throughout Japan by mid 2020s, at which point they hope to be offering a competitive supply of automobile-use LNG to customers across the country.

(1) With a footprint of just 3.3 x 12 meters (the same size as a parking space for a heavy truck), the new system is less than half of the cost of a conventional LNG filling station. At less than 10 minutes per fill-up, it also refuels quicker than conventional stations. The plant is to make each station capable of fueling more than 60 trucks per day. The patent application for the system has already been filed.
(2) A heavy LNG powered-truck built by Isuzu Motors Ltd. was used in tests undertaken as part of the Ministry of the Environment's "Low Carbon Research and Development Program", which ran from 2016 to fiscal year 2018. The tests confirmed that the truck had a range of more than 1,000 (primarily highway) kilometers per fill-up in city-to-city transport, and that it also produced less than 90% of the CO2 emissions produced by diesel-powered trucks that meet Japan?s heavy vehicle fuel efficiency standards set in fiscal year 2015.

A compact LNG Filling Station and Heavy LNG Truck
 


Source: Mitsubishi Corporation
Sectors: Engineering

Copyright ©2024 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Related Press Release


Nissan and Mitsubishi Corporation agree to explore new business in next-generation-mobility and energy-related services utilizing EVs
March 18 2024 16:29 JST
 
Mitsubishi Corp to invest in TIER IV: Transforming regional mobility with autonomous driving
March 15 2024 11:36 JST
 
Mitsubishi Corporation: Participation in PAK Lithium Project in Canada
March 05 2024 15:57 JST
 
Mitsubishi Corporation Expands its Data Center Presence with Entry into US
March 04 2024 14:27 JST
 
Mitsubishi Corporation's Sale of Exportadora de Sal, S.A. de C.V., a Salt Production Company in Mexico
February 26 2024 13:29 JST
 
MC to Subscribe Shares in TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution in India
February 19 2024 16:42 JST
 
PoC Launched to Test Smart-charging Service Using EV Connected Technologies
February 15 2024 15:50 JST
 
Mitsubishi Corporation, KDDI CORPORATION, Lawson, Inc. have entered into the Capital Business Partnership Agreement
February 06 2024 16:27 JST
 
First Plant to be Operated under Hydroelectric Power Alliance Goes Online
February 01 2024 20:13 JST
 
Isuzu Joins Multi-interest Agreement to Promote Regional Transportation DX Self-driving Bus PoC Launched in Hiratsuka City
January 22 2024 17:40 JST
 
More Press release >>

Latest Press Release


More Latest Release >>