Tsubame BHB Co. Ltd. has initiated trial operations in small, low-temperature, low-pressure ammonia synthesis facilities using Tsubame BHB’s original electride catalyst technologies, and has confirmed production of ammonia during the trial operation of ammonia manufacturing facilities on a commercial scale.

The ammonia synthesis facilities introduced on the “Blue hydrogen and ammonia production and utilization demonstration project” (Kashiwazaki Hydrogen Park) undertaken by INPEX Corp. were ordered and implemented by Daiichi Jitsugyo Co. Ltd., and represent the first order for Tsubame BHB’s commercial facilities.

Small ammonia synthesis facilities installed at INPEX as Tsubame BHB’s first commercial facilities.

Producing ammonia using low-temperature, low-pressure processes. Tsubame BHB is unique in that it offers production processes at a lower temperature and lower pressure than the conventional Haber–Bosch process, enabling onsite production close to the demand.

The facilities being introduced to this project have the following features:

• Ammonia production capacity of 500 tpy
• Compact design enabling onsite installation

This will be the first case in Japan for the demonstration of next-generation ammonia production using blue hydrogen (derived from Japanese natural gas) as a raw material.

Demonstration tests conducted by INPEX are the first model of “local production, local consumption” in Japan (based on INPEX’s announcement), encompassing the full range of processes, from the production of blue hydrogen and ammonia to the recovery and underground storage of CO₂ [carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)], the supply of power using hydrogen power generation, and supply of ammonia to users.

Tsubame BHB has delivered small synthesis facilities using original low-temperature, low-pressure ammonia synthesis processes, enabling on-site production where it is needed.

These facilities have received an outstanding response from INPEX for outstanding process safety and their ability to dramatically reduce pressurization power for the raw material gas.

“It is a great honor to report that we have confirmed trial production of ammonia using Tsubame BHB’s first small commercial ammonia facilities on INPEX’s blue hydrogen and ammonia production and utilization demonstration project,” said Tsubame BHB CEO Koji Nakamura. “This is a very meaningful project, and the first of its kind in Japan. By introducing Tsubame BHB’s facilities, I hope that we can gather data that will contribute to further increasing the competitiveness of ammonia production, and advance the introduction of large-scale blue ammonia production facilities for future energy applications.”

Future developments. In the future, in addition to the model with an annual production capacity of 500 tons, as introduced on this project, Tsubame BHB is also planning to roll out models with a 5,000-ton annual production capacity. The company has already received orders for two units in Japan, and is involved in ongoing discussions and collaborations aimed at introducing similar units in Brazil, Africa, and India.

By expanding onsite production in the future, the company will contribute to reducing ammonia transport and storage costs, as well as to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and will strive to achieve its vision of “Leveraging original technologies to resolve critical issues faced by humans in relation to food and the environment, and achieving a sustainable society.”