Method for producing dehydrogenated carrier composition and / or hydrogen, and production system

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for producing a hydrogenated carrier composition and / or hydrogen. The method comprises: a hydrogenation step for producing a hydrogenated carrier composition by using a first dehydrogenated carrier composition and hydrogen; a dehydrogenation step for producing a second dehydrogenated carrier composition and hydrogen by using the hydrogenated carrier composition; and an acquisition step for acquiring information regarding the amount of carrier loss from the hydrogenation step to the dehydrogenation step based on information regarding the composition of the first dehydrogenated carrier composition and the amount used, and information regarding the composition of the second dehydrogenated carrier composition and the amount produced.

Description

Dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or method for producing hydrogen, and production system

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or a method for producing hydrogen, as well as a production system.

[0002] In recent years, the use of hydrogen energy has attracted global attention as a means of achieving carbon neutrality and a decarbonized society. While hydrogen is seen as a promising energy carrier that does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) during use, greenhouse gases (GHGs) may be emitted during processes such as production, transportation, and conversion. Therefore, calculating and managing GHG emissions throughout the entire hydrogen supply chain is crucial.

[0003] Liquid hydrogen, ammonia, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are widely considered as means of transporting and storing hydrogen, and the amount of GHG emissions differs depending on the production process, adjustment / conversion process, and transportation process for each. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an operational management system that can efficiently deliver raw materials from a raw material production site to multiple dehydrogenation sites.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-157750

[0005] However, conventional technologies have problems with the quantitative measurement of dehydrogenation carrier (TL) losses, and the greenhouse gas emissions corresponding to the amount of dehydrogenation carrier (TL) replenished in the system are also inaccurate.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or a method and system for producing hydrogen that can more accurately quantify the amount of liquid organic hydrogen carrier released outside the production system.

[0007] The hydrogenation carrier composition and / or method for producing hydrogen according to the present disclosure comprises: a hydrogenation step of producing a hydrogenation carrier composition using a first dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen; a dehydrogenation step of producing a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen using the hydrogenation carrier composition; and an acquisition step of obtaining information on the amount of lost carriers from the hydrogenation step to the dehydrogenation step based on information on the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0008] Furthermore, the dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or method for producing hydrogen according to the present disclosure comprises: a dehydrogenation step of using the hydrogenation carrier composition to produce a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen; and an acquisition step of obtaining information on the amount of lost carriers in the dehydrogenation step based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0009] Furthermore, the dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or hydrogen production system of the present disclosure comprises a dehydrogenation apparatus that uses the hydrogenation carrier composition to produce the dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen, and a processing apparatus that acquires information on the amount of carriers lost in dehydrogenation based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0010] According to the present invention, regarding a technology for accurately calculating the total amount of carriers released outside the manufacturing system and for managing and controlling GHG emissions associated with hydrogen production using carriers, the present invention provides a method and system that includes obtaining information related to the total amount of carriers released outside the manufacturing system.

[0011] This is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen supply chain. This is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen supply chain via a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (MCH / TL system). This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the system of this disclosure. This is a schematic diagram showing another example of the system of this disclosure. This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the processing apparatus of this disclosure. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of carrier composition data. This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the processing apparatus of this disclosure. This is a flowchart showing an example of a method for producing the mixed hydrogen carrier of this disclosure.

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from its essence.

[0013] A. Definitions of Terms The following are definitions of the main terms used in this disclosure.

[0014] A "Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC)" is a general term for organic compounds that can reversibly retain hydrogen. Examples include combinations of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and toluene (TL), and combinations of octahydrodibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT) and dibenzyltoluene (DBT). In a hydrogen supply chain using such liquid organic hydrogen carriers, for example, a dehydrogenation carrier (TL) is hydrogenated to produce a hydrogenation carrier (MCH), the hydrogenation carrier is transported to a consumption gate, and finally, the hydrogenation carrier (MCH) is dehydrogenated at the consumption gate to separate the hydrogen from the dehydrogenation carrier (TL), thereby transporting hydrogen. Furthermore, the dehydrogenation carrier (TL) separated at the consumption gate is reused for hydrogenation, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers are circulated and used throughout the hydrogen supply chain.

[0015] "Dehydrogenated carrier composition" and "hydrogenated carrier composition" Because the actual reaction efficiency of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation equipment is not 100 mol%, in principle, hydrogenated carriers produced in hydrogenation equipment will contain residual dehydrogenated carriers, and dehydrogenated carriers produced in dehydrogenation equipment will contain residual hydrogenated carriers. In other words, these facilities actually prepare compositions containing both types of carriers. However, conventionally, this point has not been taken into consideration, and what is produced in these facilities has been treated as either "hydrogenated carriers" or "dehydrogenated carriers," without being clearly understood as a composition.

[0016] In this disclosure, taking into account the reality that the reaction efficiency is not 100 mol%, a composition mainly composed of hydrogenation carriers produced in a hydrogenation plant will be referred to as a "hydrogenation carrier composition," and a composition mainly composed of dehydrogenation carriers produced in a dehydrogenation plant will be referred to as a "dehydrogenation carrier composition." In other words, when "composition" is added, it means that it is a mixture of hydrogenation carriers and dehydrogenation carriers. On the other hand, when "hydrogenation carrier" is used without "composition," it means only the hydrogenated compound (MCH) that does not contain the dehydrogenated compound (TL), and when "dehydrogenation carrier" is used, it means only the dehydrogenated compound (TL) that does not contain the hydrogenated compound (MCH).

[0017] LOHC is a general term for organic compounds that can reversibly retain hydrogen, and examples of combinations of hydrogenating carriers and dehydrogenating carriers included in the hydrogenating carrier composition and dehydrogenating carrier composition include the MCH / TL system, H12-BT / BT system, H18-DBT / DBT system, and DNP / NP system, as shown below.

[0018]

[0019] Furthermore, "first hydrogenation carrier composition," "second hydrogenation carrier composition," "third hydrogenation carrier composition," ..., "first dehydrogenation carrier composition," "second dehydrogenation carrier composition," "third dehydrogenation carrier composition," etc., are designations used to distinguish compositions that may differ in origin, composition, or type from each other, and each has associated GHG emission information.

[0020] "Amount of lost carrier" refers to the total amount of dehydrogenated carriers and hydrogenated carriers released outside the system during a partial or whole process. The amount of lost carriers is not particularly limited, but for example, the amount of hydrogenated carriers may be converted to the amount of dehydrogenated carriers and expressed as the equivalent amount of dehydrogenated carriers (e.g., volume, mass, amount of substance). Alternatively, the amount of dehydrogenated carriers may be converted to the amount of hydrogenated carriers and expressed as the equivalent amount of hydrogenated carriers.

[0021] "Information on the amount of lost carriers" Information on the amount of lost carriers is not particularly limited, but examples include the volume, mass or amount of substance of the lost carriers, the amount of dehydrogenated carriers equivalent of the lost carriers, and the ratio of the amount of dehydrogenated carriers equivalent of the lost carriers to the amount of dehydrogenated carriers equivalent of the hydrogenation carrier composition before the dehydrogenation process.

[0022] "Information of amount of converted hydrogen" refers to information regarding the amount of hydrogen obtained from the hydrogenation carrier composition in the dehydrogenation process. While not particularly limited, this information may include, for example, the volume, mass, or amount of substance of hydrogen obtained from the hydrogenation carrier composition or hydrogenation carriers; the volume, mass, or amount of substance of the hydrogenation carrier composition used in the dehydrogenation process; the volume, mass, or amount of substance of the hydrogenation carriers used in the dehydrogenation process; the ratio of the hydrogenation carrier composition used in the dehydrogenation process to the total amount of hydrogenation carrier composition; and the ratio of hydrogenation carriers to the total amount of hydrogenation carrier composition.

[0023] "Information of used energy" refers to information about the energy used in the dehydrogenation process. While not limited to specific types of information, examples include electricity consumption, gas consumption, oil consumption, coal consumption, and the types and proportions of power sources that supplied the electricity used (e.g., solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal, wave, nuclear, coal-fired, oil-fired, liquefied natural gas, etc.).

[0024] "Carbon number distribution" refers to the distribution of the number of carbon atoms in a hydrogenation carrier composition or a dehydrogenation carrier composition. The carbon number distribution is not particularly limited, but may be a frequency distribution or a cumulative distribution, for example.

[0025] "Density information" Information regarding density is not particularly limited and may include volume density, mass density, specific gravity relative to a reference substance such as water, etc.

[0026] "Purity Information" Purity information is not particularly limited and includes mass purity, which is the ratio of the mass of the target component to the total mass of the substance, and volume purity, which is the ratio of the volume of the target component to the total volume of the substance.

[0027] "Composition analysis" refers to the act of analyzing the composition of hydrogenation carriers in tanks and piping to confirm whether they meet the required purity and characteristics.

[0028] Furthermore, the definitions of other terms used in this disclosure are given below. Many of these terms and definitions conform to relevant standards published by international standardization organizations such as ISO and IEC (e.g., ISO 14040, ISO 14067, ISO 14083, ISO 14025). For definitions of terms, you may refer to the ISO Online browsing platform (https: / / www.iso.org / obp) or IEC Electropedia (https: / / www.electropedia.org / ) as needed.

[0029] Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are naturally occurring and anthropogenic gaseous components of the atmosphere that absorb and emit specific wavelengths within the infrared radiation spectrum emitted from the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and clouds. These include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) refer to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

[0030] "Greenhouse gas emissions" (hereinafter also referred to as "GHG emissions") refer to the amount of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, etc.) emitted during processes such as hydrogen production, conversion, and transportation. Greenhouse gas emissions can be expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent. Typically, greenhouse gas emissions for a given activity can be calculated using the following formula: Emissions (kg - CO2) = Activity amount × Emission factor

[0031] An "emission factor" may be calculated by measuring the CO2 generated by a specific activity or the combustion of a fuel and using the ratio to the activity level. Standard values ​​calculated by international or governmental organizations can be used. (Emission factors based on energy consumption) Example: kg-CO2 / kWh (CO2 emissions per 1 kWh of electricity) Example: kg-CO2 / L (CO2 emissions per 1 liter of fuel) (Emission factors based on activity level) Example: kg-CO2 / t (CO2 emissions per ton of raw materials used) Example: kg-CO2 / km (CO2 emissions when a trailer travels 1 km)

[0032] "Activity level" refers to data that indicates the amount of activity that forms the basis for calculating greenhouse gas emissions and other emissions. Examples include fuel consumption (e.g., gasoline consumption (L), coal burned (tons)), electricity consumption (kWh), distance traveled (e.g., tanker transport distance (km)), and raw material consumption (tons).

[0033] The term "greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen carriers" refers to the sum of greenhouse gas emissions respectively calculated in the hydrogen production process, the hydrogen carrier conditioning / conversion process, and the hydrogen carrier transportation process, that is, the carbon footprint.

[0034] On the other hand, the term "greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen production" refers to the greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the hydrogen production process. Similarly, the term "greenhouse gas emissions associated with conditioning / conversion to hydrogen carriers" refers to the greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the process of conditioning / conversion from hydrogen to hydrogen carriers. The term "greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation" refers to the greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the process of transporting hydrogen carriers to the point immediately before the mixing step in the present disclosure. Furthermore, the term "greenhouse gas emissions associated with conversion from hydrogen carriers to hydrogen" refers to the greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the process of conditioning / conversion from hydrogen carriers to hydrogen.

[0035] The term "carbon footprint (CFP)" refers to the sum of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas removals in a product system expressed in terms of CO₂ equivalent, which is evaluated based on life cycle assessment using the single impact category of climate change.

[0036] In addition, the term "partial CFP" refers to the sum of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas removals in one or more specific processes included in a product system expressed in terms of CO₂ equivalent, which is based on selected stages or processes of a life cycle.

[0037] The term "conversion" refers to changing the chemical state of a certain substance, and in the present disclosure, examples include the hydrogenation process of converting hydrogen into LOHC, or the dehydrogenation process of converting LOHC into hydrogen.

[0038] The term "process" refers to a series of interrelated or interacting activities that transforms an input into an output. The term "input" refers to a flow of products, materials or energy entering a single process. The term "output" refers to a flow of products, materials or energy exiting a single process.

[0039] The term "co-product" refers to two or more products produced from the same unit process or product system. Examples include oxygen produced together with hydrogen in a hydrogen production process.

[0040] The term "system boundary" refers to a boundary based on a set of criteria that identifies which single processes are included in the system under consideration.

[0041] The term "allocation" refers to the partitioning of input or output flows of a process or product system between the product system under study and one or more other product systems.

[0042] The term "system expansion" refers to the concept of expanding a product system to include additional functions associated with co-products. For example, when hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water, oxygen is generated as a co-product. This oxygen is available for medical and industrial use, and may compete with the existing oxygen supply in the market. In the system expansion method, the reduction achieved through this substitution (the CO₂ emission reduction from an air separation unit) is subtracted from the environmental load of hydrogen production, and as a result, the CFP (carbon footprint) of hydrogen is reduced.

[0043] The economic value allocation method is a method of allocating GHG emissions according to the economic value of each product. Without particular limitation, for example, assuming that hydrogen is 500 yen per kg and the co-product oxygen is 50 yen per kg, this refers to distributing the total GHG emissions in a ratio that accounts for economic value, such as the ratio "hydrogen : oxygen = 500 : 50 = 10 : 1".

[0044] "Transportation" is the act of moving goods from one place to another, and is carried out by different modes of transport.

[0045] "Means of transport" refers to modes of transport used to transport goods, such as inland waterways, pipelines, railways, and roads. The trailer in this embodiment is an example of a means of transport. The trailer in this embodiment may circulate among dehydrogenation sites, loading and transporting at least one of the hydrogenation carrier composition and the dehydrogenation carrier composition. Alternatively, it may circulate among storage sites, loading and transporting at least one of the hydrogenation carrier composition and the dehydrogenation carrier composition. The trailer may include a first storage section for loading the hydrogenation carrier composition and a second storage section for loading the dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0046] A "route" refers to the path (or the journey) taken to move from one point to another.

[0047] A "delivery gate" is the point where, based on contractual agreements, control over a product is transferred between the buyer and the supplier.

[0048] A "consumption gate" refers to the point in the entire product supply chain where the product is ultimately delivered. The hydrogen station in this embodiment is an example of a consumption gate.

[0049] A "transport chain" refers to a series of elements related to cargo that, as a whole, constitute the movement of cargo from its origin to its destination. A "transport chain element (TCE)" refers to a section within the transport chain in which cargo is transported by a single vehicle or passes through a single hub.

[0050] A "hub" is a place where cargo is transferred from one vehicle to another. The dehydrogenation and storage facilities in this embodiment are examples of hubs. On the other hand, hydrogen stations are not included in the definition of a hub.

[0051] B. Overall Structure B1. Greenhouse Gas Calculation Framework Figure 1A shows a schematic diagram of the hydrogen supply chain. The greenhouse gas calculation in this disclosure is based on the system boundary of the well-to-consumption gate and includes direct and indirect emissions. The system boundary may be considered in terms of three sections: the hydrogen production process, the adjustment / conversion process, and the transport process.

[0052] "Greenhouse gas emission (GHG emission)" refers to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Direct emissions may include GHGs directly released into the atmosphere by equipment / devices used in the process. Indirect emissions may include GHGs emitted in connection with the production / acquisition of electricity / heat or raw materials used in the process.

[0053] Greenhouse gas emissions may also be expressed as the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per functional unit. A functional unit is a reference unit that represents the quantitative performance of a product system. In supply chains such as hydrogen production processes, adjustment / conversion processes, and transportation processes, a functional unit is recommended to be 1 kg of hydrogen or 1 kg of hydrogen carrier with characteristics that meet the requirements of subsequent stages.

[0054] "CO2e (CO2e)" is a unit used to compare the radiative forcing of a greenhouse gas with that of carbon dioxide, and can be calculated using the following formula. Examples of greenhouse gases considered include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). [CO2e] = [CO2] + 28 × [CH4] + 265 × [N2O]

[0055] Examples of hydrogen production processes shown in Figure 1A include hydrogen production by water electrolysis, hydrogen production by steam reforming of natural gas with CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage), hydrogen as a by-product in industrial applications, hydrogen production by coal gasification with CCS, hydrogen production from biomass, and hydrogen production by automated thermal reforming of natural gas with CCS.

[0056] Examples of hydrogen preparation / conversion processes shown in Figure 1A include conversion by hydrogenation / dehydrogenation of liquid organic hydrogen carriers. The downstream boundary of the hydrogen production process may correspond to the upstream boundary of the preparation / conversion process.

[0057] GHG emissions from electricity used for hydrogen production, adjustment, and conversion may be limited to direct emissions and some indirect emissions. Indirect emissions exclude emissions associated with the manufacture of power generation equipment. Such GHG emissions may include primary energy extraction and transport, conversion, generation, and losses in the power grid. GHG emissions from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal power are considered zero.

[0058] The GHG emissions in the hydrogen carrier transport process shown in Figure 1A may be calculated by summing the GHG emissions calculated separately for each transport chain element (TCE). The calculation of GHG emissions in the transport chain (TC) may include transport operations and hub operations.

[0059] Here, a transport operation refers to the transportation of goods using means of transport, and may include, for example, fuel consumption for propulsion and onboard activities. A hub operation refers to the movement and transshipment of goods via a hub, and may include, for example, pre- and post-transport hub operations and intermediate storage that complement and connect transport operations. Means of transport include modes of transport used to transport cargo, such as inland waterways, pipelines, railways, and roads.

[0060] Furthermore, in calculating greenhouse gas emissions, emissions that meet a predetermined cutoff standard may be excluded. Also, emissions from the construction, manufacture, and disposal of capital goods (e.g., hydrogen production equipment), travel, employee commuting, and upstream leased assets are not considered at the well-to-consumption gate system boundary. On the other hand, emissions from capital goods ("CAPEX emissions") may be reported.

[0061] B2. As an example of a hydrogen supply chain, Figure 1B shows a schematic diagram of a hydrogen supply chain via a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (MCH / TL system). Note that Figure 1B is just an example, and the liquid organic hydrogen carrier is not limited to the MCH / TL system. A hydrogen supply chain utilizing a liquid organic hydrogen carrier typically includes a hydrogen production process, a conversion process from hydrogen to a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (MCH), a transport process for the liquid organic hydrogen carrier (MCH), a dehydrogenation process from the liquid organic hydrogen carrier (MCH) to hydrogen, and a hydrogen utilization process. Furthermore, in a hydrogen supply chain utilizing a liquid organic hydrogen carrier, the dehydrogenated liquid organic hydrogen carrier (TL) is reused and rehydrogenated. Therefore, the transport process may include a transport process for transporting the dehydrogenated liquid organic hydrogen carrier (TL).

[0062] In the transport process for the reuse of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (TLs) after dehydrogenation, the addition of new dehydrogenated carriers (TLs) may be included to compensate for the amount of dehydrogenated carriers (TLs) reduced by the dehydrogenation process, etc. Dehydrogenated carriers equivalent to the loss are also called "makeup LOHCs." GHG emissions corresponding to makeup LOHCs may be included in the GHG emissions of the conversion process.

[0063] Alternatively, instead of the hydrogen production process and the hydrogen-to-liquid organic hydrogen carrier (MCH) conversion process described above, a conversion process that directly hydrogenates the dehydrogenation carrier by electrochemical reaction and converts it to a liquid organic hydrogen carrier may be used. A typical example of such a conversion process is the Direct MCH process, which uses electricity from renewable energy sources to directly convert toluene to methylcyclohexane (MCH). This conversion process is expected to simplify the process, and furthermore, because hydrogen can be stored and transported as a liquid organic hydrogen carrier without first extracting it as a gas, the need for hydrogen leakage and high-pressure management is reduced, and safety is improved.

[0064] C. In the hydrogen supply chain using the liquid organic hydrogen carrier system of this disclosure, as shown in Figure 1B, the dehydrogenated carrier separated in the conversion process that converts hydrogenation carriers to hydrogen (hereinafter also referred to as the "dehydrogenation process") is recovered and reused in the conversion process that converts hydrogen to hydrogenation carriers (hereinafter also referred to as the "hydrogenation process"). However, as described above, the recovery rate of liquid organic hydrogen carriers is not 100%, and they may inevitably be released outside the system and become unrecoverable in the hydrogenation process, transport process, and dehydrogenation process.

[0065] Therefore, when recycling liquid organic hydrogen carriers, it is necessary to replenish the lost liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and it is also required to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions from the replenished liquid organic hydrogen carriers. The formula for calculating makeup LOHC, as described in ANNEX J of ISO 19870:2023, is shown below. Makeup LOHC = (Total LOHC supplied to the LOHC hydrogenation facility for hydrogenation) - (Dehydrogenated LOHC received from the LOHC dehydrogenation facility)

[0066] Incidentally, conventionally, there has been no study on calculating makeup LOHC based on the premise that hydrogen carriers generated by the hydrogenation process include dehydrogenation carriers, or that dehydrogenation carriers generated by the dehydrogenation process include hydrogenation carriers.

[0067] However, the conversion efficiency of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes is not necessarily 100 mol%. Therefore, the products of the dehydrogenation process may include hydrogenation carriers (MCH) in addition to dehydrogenation carriers (TL), for example. In other words, the dehydrogenation carrier composition supplied to the LOHC hydrogenation facility (hereinafter referred to as the "first dehydrogenation carrier composition") and the dehydrogenation carrier composition received from the LOHC dehydrogenation facility (hereinafter referred to as the "second dehydrogenation carrier composition") may contain unspecified amounts of hydrogenation carriers.

[0068] Furthermore, the mass of the dehydrogenation carrier and the mass of the hydrogenation carrier differ only by the amount of hydrogen, and, for example, in the MCH / TL system, the TL density (867 kg / m³) and the MCH density (770 kg / m³) also differ to a considerable extent. Therefore, simply comparing the increase or decrease in mass or volume of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and the second dehydrogenation carrier composition does not allow for the quantification of makeup LOHC.

[0069] In this regard, according to the present disclosure, as a first approach, information on the amount of carriers lost from the hydrogenation process to the dehydrogenation process is obtained based on information on the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. This makes it possible to quantify the total number of moles of dehydrogenation carriers and hydrogenation carriers contained in the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, respectively, based on information on the composition of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, in particular, based on the composition ratio of dehydrogenation carriers to hydrogenation carriers, and to obtain information on makeup LOHC (amount of carriers lost).

[0070] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, as a second approach, the amount of lost carriers may be calculated using the system boundary of the well-to-consumption gate, similar to the calculation of greenhouse gases. Specifically, the amount of lost carriers may be considered in three parts: the hydrogenation process, the transport process, and the dehydrogenation process. By calculating the amount of lost carriers in each process and summing them up, information on the overall makeup LOHC (amount of lost carriers) may be obtained.

[0071] The first approach is particularly useful when all of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition supplied to the hydrogenation plant is converted to a second dehydrogenation carrier composition without being distributed or mixed with other LOHCs in the transport process or the like. On the other hand, the second approach quantifies the makeup LOHC (amount of lost carriers) for each process, so even when the first dehydrogenation carrier composition supplied to the hydrogenation plant is distributed or mixed with other LOHCs in the transport process or the like, it is possible to quantify the makeup LOHC according to the route it has taken.

[0072] C1. First Approach Figure 2A shows one embodiment of the system of the present disclosure in the first approach. In the following description of the system of the present disclosure, based on Figure 2A, the present disclosure is not limited to an embodiment having a hydrogenation plant 10 and a dehydrogenation plant 20, but also includes an embodiment in which the processing unit 100 is a standalone unit. When the processing unit 100 is a standalone unit, the processing unit 100 may obtain from the existing hydrogenation plant 10 and dehydrogenation plant 20 information regarding the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition, information regarding the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, and information regarding the amount of lost carriers.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2A, the first approach system 1 may include a hydrogenation facility 10, a dehydrogenation facility 20, and a processing device 100, which may be connected to each other via a network N.

[0074] The hydrogenation equipment 10 may include a hydrogenation device 10a, a first storage device 11, a second storage device 12, a third storage device 13, flow rate control devices 11a, 12a, 13a, and analyzers 11b, 12b, 13b.

[0075] The hydrogenation apparatus 10a uses hydrogen supplied from the first storage apparatus 11 and the first dehydrogenation carrier composition supplied from the second storage apparatus 12 to perform a hydrogenation reaction and produce the first hydrogenation carrier composition. The hydrogenation apparatus 10a is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of reacting a dehydrogenation carrier with hydrogen to produce a hydrogenation carrier, but examples of catalytic hydrogenation apparatuses include fixed-bed catalytic reactors, fluidized-bed catalytic reactors, and continuous hydrogenation reactors using hydrogenation catalysts such as Ni, Pt, and Pd.

[0076] The first storage device 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device for storing hydrogen, and is configured to supply hydrogen to the hydrogenation device 10a via a flow rate control device 11a. The first storage device 11 may also have an analytical device 11b for analyzing the composition and purity of hydrogen.

[0077] The second storage device 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device for storing the first dehydrogenation carrier composition, and is configured to supply the first dehydrogenation carrier composition to the hydrogenation device 10a via the flow rate control device 12a. The second storage device 12 also has an analytical device 12b for analyzing the composition, purity, etc., of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0078] The liquid organic hydrogen carriers contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition and the dehydrogenation carrier composition may be a single system or a mixed system. A single system refers to a compound system that is interconvertible in the hydrogenation / dehydrogenation process, such as a combination of MCH and toluene (TL); a combination of H18-DBT and DBT; or a combination of H12-BT and BT. A mixed system refers to a mixture of multiple compound systems that are interconvertible in the hydrogenation / dehydrogenation process, such as a mixture of an MCH / TL system and an H18-DBT / DBT system.

[0079] The third storage device 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device for storing the first hydrogenation carrier composition, and is configured to accept the first hydrogenation carrier composition from the hydrogenation device 10a via the flow rate control device 13a. The third storage device 13 may also have an analytical device 13b for analyzing the composition, purity, etc., of the first hydrogenation carrier composition.

[0080] The first storage device 11, the second storage device 12, and the third storage device 13 may be tanks such as low-temperature storage tanks and room-temperature storage tanks.

[0081] The analytical devices 11b, 12b, and 13b may measure and acquire information regarding the composition of the object to be measured at the installation site, as well as information regarding its purity and density. The composition includes the types and ratios of the components that make up the composition. For example, a composition such as methylcyclohexane 95 mol% / toluene 5 mol% is given. In addition, the purity may include the purity of hydrogenation carriers such as MCH, as well as the amount of impurities.

[0082] The analytical devices 11b, 12b, and 13b are not particularly limited and known devices can be used. Examples include devices that measure information about composition, such as gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Raman spectrometer, infrared spectrometer, and gas chromatography-flame ionization analyzer (GC-FID); and devices that measure information about density, such as digital densimeters, sonic densimeters, radiation densimeters, and Coriolis mass flowmeters.

[0083] Although Figure 2A illustrates the arrangement of the analyzers 11b, 12b, and 13b within each storage device, their installation location is not limited as long as they are in a position where the object to be measured can be analyzed. They may also be installed at the entrances and exits of each device or in the flow paths connecting the devices.

[0084] The analyzers 11b, 12b, and 13b may be able to send and receive data with the processing unit 100 or other devices via a network. This allows the management unit 111 of the processing unit 100 to receive measurement data from each analyzer and record it in the carrier composition data 121 of the storage unit 120.

[0085] The flow rate control devices 11a, 12a, and 13a may control the supply and discharge of each raw material and product by opening and closing the flow path, as well as measure the flow rate of the raw materials and products that have passed through. The measured quantity may be volume or mass. This makes it possible to control and monitor the amount of each raw material and product used or generated in the hydrogenation equipment 10. The control devices are not particularly limited and known devices can be used, for example, flow meters such as differential pressure flow meters, area flow meters, electromagnetic flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters, Coriolis flow meters, eddy flow meters, and turbine flow meters; flow regulators such as valves; and combinations of flow meters and flow regulators.

[0086] The flow rate control devices 11a, 12a, and 13a may be capable of sending and receiving data with the processing device 100 or other devices via a network. This allows the control unit 113 of the processing device 100 to control the opening and closing of the flow path by each flow rate control device. In addition, the management unit 111 of the processing device 100 can receive flow rate data from each flow rate control device and record it in the carrier composition data 121 of the storage device 120.

[0087] The dehydrogenation equipment 20 may include a dehydrogenation device 20a, a fourth storage device 21, a fifth storage device 22, a sixth storage device 23, flow rate control devices 21a, 22a, 23a, analyzers 21b, 22b, 23b, and a seventh storage device 24.

[0088] The dehydrogenation apparatus 20a uses the first hydrogenation carrier composition supplied from the fourth storage apparatus 21 to perform a dehydrogenation reaction and produce a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen. Such a dehydrogenation apparatus 20a is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, a reaction vessel equipped with a catalyst, a heating device for heating the inside of the reaction vessel, a separation device for separating the dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen, and a processing device for compressing and purifying hydrogen. Specific examples of reaction vessels include fixed-bed catalytic reactors and fluidized-bed catalytic reactors. In addition, although Figure 2A illustrates a configuration in which system 1 is equipped with one dehydrogenation apparatus 20a, system 1 may be equipped with multiple dehydrogenation apparatuses 20a.

[0089] The fourth storage device 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device for storing the first hydrogenation carrier composition, and is configured to supply the first hydrogenation carrier composition to the dehydrogenation device 20a via the flow rate control device 21a. The fourth storage device 21 may also have an analytical device 21b for analyzing the composition and purity of the first hydrogenation carrier composition. The fourth storage device 21 may be a tank such as a low-temperature storage tank or a room-temperature storage tank.

[0090] The fifth storage device 22 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device for storing the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, and is configured to receive the second dehydrogenation carrier composition from the dehydrogenation device 20a via the flow rate control device 22a. The fifth storage device 22 also has an analytical device 22b for analyzing the composition and purity of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. The fifth storage device 22 may be a tank such as a low-temperature storage tank or a room-temperature storage tank.

[0091] The sixth storage device 23 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device for storing hydrogen, and is configured to receive hydrogen from the dehydrogenation device 20a via a flow rate control device 23a. The sixth storage device 23 may also have an analytical device 23b for analyzing the composition and purity of the hydrogen. Furthermore, the hydrogen stored in the sixth storage device 23 may be used at a hydrogen station or the like.

[0092] The seventh storage device 24 stores the makeup dehydrogenation carrier to be replenished in the sixth storage device 23. The seventh storage device 24 may also produce and store dehydrogenation carriers. The seventh storage device 24 is not particularly limited, and any known device can be used.

[0093] The analytical devices 21b, 22b, and 23b may measure and acquire information regarding the composition, purity, and density of the object to be measured at the installation site. These analytical devices may also be capable of sending and receiving data with the processing device 100 or other devices via a network. This allows the management unit 111 of the processing device 100 to receive measurement data from each analytical device and record it in the carrier composition data 121 of the storage device 120. Other configurations may be the same as those for analytical devices 11b, 12b, and 13b.

[0094] The flow rate control devices 21a, 22a, and 23a may control the supply of each raw material and the discharge of products by opening and closing the flow paths, as well as measure the flow rate of the raw materials and products that have passed through. This allows for the control and monitoring of the amount of each raw material and product used or generated in the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a. Furthermore, these flow rate control devices may be able to send and receive data with the processing apparatus 100 or other devices via a network. This allows the control unit 113 of the processing apparatus 100 to control the opening and closing of the flow paths by each flow rate control device. In addition, the management unit 111 of the processing apparatus 100 can receive flow rate data from each flow rate control device and record it in the carrier composition data 121 of the storage 120. Other configurations can be the same as those of the flow rate control devices 11a, 12a, and 13a.

[0095] The processing apparatus 100 is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to perform a process of acquiring information on the amount of lost carriers from the hydrogen process to the dehydrogenation process based on information on the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. It may also be capable of controlling the supply of each raw material to each storage device, controlling the discharge of products, and controlling the associated reactions via the control of flow rate control devices 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, 23a; and collecting and recording information on each raw material and product via analyzers 11b, 12b, 13b, 21b, 22b, 23b.

[0096] Furthermore, the processing unit 100 may be a terminal installed in the hydrogenation equipment 10 or the dehydrogenation equipment 20, or it may be a server connected via the network N. The software and hardware configurations of the processing unit 100 will be described in detail below.

[0097] C11. The software configuration diagram 3A of the processing unit is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of the processing unit 100 of the present disclosure. The processing unit 100 includes a processor 110 and a storage 120. The processor 110 can function as a management unit 111, an acquisition unit 112, and a control unit 113 by executing various programs stored in the storage 120.

[0098] Furthermore, the storage 120 stores various information necessary for the operation of the processing unit 100. For example, the storage 120 may contain various programs required by the processor 110, carrier composition data 121, etc.

[0099] The control unit 111 collects and records information about each raw material and product. Specifically, the control unit 111 may acquire information about each raw material and product from the analyzers 11b, 12b, 13b, 21b, 22b, and 23b via the network and record it in the carrier composition data 121. Alternatively, the control unit 111 may acquire information about the amount of each raw material used and / or the mixing ratio, and information about the amount of product produced, from the flow rate control devices 11a, 12a, 13a, 21a, 22a, and 23a via the network and record it in the carrier composition data 121.

[0100] Here, the control unit 111 may obtain information regarding the composition of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition from the analyzer 12b and the amount of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition used from the flow rate control device 12a. Alternatively, the control unit 111 may obtain information regarding the composition of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition from the analyzer 22b and the amount of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition produced from the flow rate control device 22a.

[0101] Figure 3B shows an example of carrier composition data 121. Carrier composition data 121 is a database that records information about each carrier composition. "Carrier composition ID" is identification information assigned to each carrier composition by the management unit 111.

[0102] The "Analysis Information" records the chemical composition, purity, and density of the hydrogenation carrier composition or dehydrogenation carrier composition by the management unit 111. Information regarding the composition includes the mass ratio and volume ratio of each component in the hydrogenation carrier composition or dehydrogenation carrier composition; and the carbon number distribution of each component in the hydrogenation carrier composition or dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0103] The "measurement information" records the amount of hydrogenation carrier composition or dehydrogenation carrier composition used or produced in the hydrogenation equipment 10 or dehydrogenation equipment 20. In addition, information regarding flow rates may be recorded, such as the flow rate of the measured object (hydrogenation carrier composition, dehydrogenation carrier composition, and hydrogen, etc.) at each time point.

[0104] The "Measurement Date and Time" field records the date and time on which the analysis or measurement information was acquired. The "Device Information" field records the analytical device or flow control device that acquired the analysis or measurement information. For example, if System 1 has a large number of storage devices, analytical devices, or flow control devices, the measured device information may be recorded in association with the analysis or measurement information.

[0105] Furthermore, the "Lost Carrier Amount Information" records information regarding the lost carrier amount acquired by the acquisition unit 112.

[0106] The "GHG emission information" records the GHG emissions associated with the hydrogenation carrier composition or dehydrogenation carrier composition, which are acquired by the acquisition unit 112. Specifically, this may include greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen production and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of hydrogen to hydrogenation carriers, and may further include greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transportation of hydrogenation carriers and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of hydrogenation carriers to hydrogen. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 112 may record greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of makeup dehydrogenation carriers, which are acquired based on the amount of lost carriers.

[0107] GHG emissions associated with a hydrogenation carrier composition or a dehydrogenation carrier composition can be obtained by summing up the GHG emissions for each emission inventory. The GHG emissions in a given emission inventory may also be determined by the product of the activity level and the emission factor. Since the emission factor can change from time to time, the acquisition unit 112 may acquire the emission factor from time to time. Examples include changes in the proportion of power sources in grid electricity, such as a change in thermal power generation from 40% to 60%, or changes in the emission factor related to fuel due to an increase or decrease in natural gas extraction costs.

[0108] Emission factors may be recorded in association with the emission inventory. Emission factors are calculated by measuring the CO2 generated by the emission inventory and deriving the ratio from that amount of activity. Examples include CO2 emissions per 1 kWh of electricity (kg-CO2 / kWh), CO2 emissions per 1 liter of fuel (kg-CO2 / L), CO2 emissions per ton of raw materials used (kg-CO2 / t), and CO2 emissions when a trailer travels 1 km (kg-CO2 / km). Standard values ​​calculated by international organizations or government agencies can be used for emission factors. For example, the acquisition unit 112 may refer to a server where such emission factors are recorded and acquire emission factors associated with the emission inventory. Examples of emission inventories are described from D7 onwards.

[0109] The acquisition unit 112, for example, refers to the carrier composition data 121 to acquire information on the amount of lost carriers from the hydrogenation process to the dehydrogenation process, based on information on the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. The calculation method by the acquisition unit 112 will be explained below with an example.

[0110] <Example 1> In the first example, we assume that the following information is obtained from the analytical instrument regarding the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. From this information, the number of moles of TL and the number of moles of MCH for the first and second dehydrogenation carrier compositions can be calculated (Table 2, left column).

[0111]

[0112] From this value, the total number of moles of LOHC in the first dehydrogenation carrier composition (933 mol) and the total number of moles of LOHC in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition (919 mol) can be calculated. From this value, the amount of LOHC lost during the entire process from the first dehydrogenation carrier composition to the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, i.e., from the hydrogen step to the dehydrogenation step, i.e., the amount of lost carriers, can be obtained using the following formula: Amount of lost carriers = (Total number of moles of LOHC in the first dehydrogenation carrier composition) - (Total number of moles of LOHC in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition) = 933 mol - 919 mol = 14 mol

[0113] <Example 2> In the following example, we assume that the TL / MCH ratio is not specified as information regarding the composition, and that information regarding the number of carbon atoms in the compounds contained in the composition is available. Here, the carbon number distribution is an example of information regarding the composition. In this case, first, the purity of the hydrogenation carriers contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition is obtained from the density and carbon number distribution of the first hydrogenation carrier composition.

[0114] Specifically, first, the number of carbon atoms of the main component in the hydrogenation carrier composition is identified based on the carbon number distribution. For example, if the main component has 7 carbon atoms, it can be identified that the hydrogenation carrier and dehydrogenation carrier are MCH and TL. Next, assuming a TL / MCH system and assuming volume additivity (ideal mixing), the purity of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition can be obtained by the following relational expression. This allows us to obtain information similar to the composition information described in the first example 1 (e.g., TL 95 vol%, MCH 5 vol%).

[0115]

[0116] ρmix: Density of the hydrogenated carrier composition ρTL: Density of toluene ρMCH: Density of methylcyclohexane x: Volume ratio (or mass ratio) of toluene

[0117] A similar calculation can be performed for the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, and by considering the amount used / amount produced, as in the first example 1, the total number of moles of LOHC in the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and the total number of moles of LOHC in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition can be calculated. The amount of lost carriers can then be obtained as the difference between these two amounts.

[0118] In addition, known parameters such as the density of toluene (867 g / L) and the density of methylcyclohexane (770 g / L) used in the calculations of this disclosure may be obtained by referring to an external database.

[0119] Furthermore, if volume additivity (ideal mixing) does not hold true and the volume increases or decreases due to the mixing of TL and MCH, a relational expression describing the relationship between the TL / MCH mixing ratio and volume may be prepared in advance to correct for the increase or decrease in volume due to mixing. Alternatively, the problem of volume additivity (ideal mixing) can be avoided by obtaining the amount used / amount produced on a mass basis instead of a volume basis.

[0120] <Example 3> Alternatively, the volumes of hydrogenation carriers and dehydrogenation carriers in the hydrogenation carrier composition supplied from the fourth storage device 21 to the dehydrogenation device 20a are calculated as described above. Then, the volume of hydrogenation carriers is converted to a volume equivalent to the amount of dehydrogenation carriers using the molecular weight and density of the hydrogenation carriers and dehydrogenation carriers. The sum of the volume equivalent to the amount of dehydrogenation carriers and the calculated volume of dehydrogenation carriers is then calculated to obtain the equivalent amount of dehydrogenation carriers in the hydrogenation carrier composition supplied from the fourth storage device 21 to the dehydrogenation device 20a.

[0121] Furthermore, one method for converting the volume of hydrogenation carriers to a volume equivalent to the amount of dehydrogenation carriers using the molecular weights and densities of the hydrogenation carriers and dehydrogenation carriers is to use the following relational equation.

[0122]

[0123] V ｄｅｑ : Volume equivalent to the amount of dehydrogenation carriers V ｈ : Volume of hydrogenation carriers R ｈ: Density of hydrogenated carrier   M ｈ    : Molecular weight of hydrogenated carrier   V ｄ    : Volume of dehydrogenated carrier   R ｄ    : Density of dehydrogenated carrier   M ｄ    : Molecular weight of dehydrogenated carrier

[0124] <Example 4>   Further, as described above, the volume V of the hydrogenated carrier in the dehydrogenated carrier composition supplied from the dehydrogenation device 20a to the second storage device 12 ｈ and the volume V of the dehydrogenated carrier ｄ is calculated. Then, the volume V of the hydrogenated carrier ｈ is converted to the molar amount of the hydrogenated carrier using the molecular weight M of the hydrogenated carrier ｈ and density R ｈ as well as the molecular weight M of the dehydrogenated carrier ｄ and density R ｄ , and then converted to a volume V corresponding to the amount of dehydrogenated carrier ｄｅｑ . Then, the sum of the volume V corresponding to said amount of dehydrogenated carrier ｄｅｑ and the calculated volume V of the dehydrogenated carrier ｄ is calculated, thereby obtaining a dehydrogenated carrier equivalent amount in the dehydrogenated carrier composition supplied from the dehydrogenation device 20a to the second storage device 12.

[0125] Then, the difference between the dehydrogenated carrier equivalent amount in the hydrogenated carrier composition and the dehydrogenated carrier equivalent amount in the dehydrogenated carrier composition may be calculated, and the obtained value may be used as the lost carrier amount (volume).

[0126] In the above example, MCH is used as the hydrogenated carrier and TL is used as the dehydrogenated carrier, but the hydrogenated carrier and dehydrogenated carrier are not limited thereto. Further, in the above calculation example, the density and carbon number distribution of the first hydrogenated carrier composition, the density and carbon number distribution of the second dehydrogenated carrier composition, the flow rate per unit time and measurement time of the first hydrogenated carrier composition, and the flow rate per unit time and measurement time of the second dehydrogenated carrier composition are used, but information on composition, usage amount and the like are not limited to these.

[0127] As described above, the processing apparatus 100 can calculate the amount of hydrogen carriers and / or dehydrogenating carriers contained in the hydrogen carrier composition based on information regarding the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenating carrier composition, and similarly, it can calculate the amount of hydrogen carriers and / or dehydrogenating carriers contained in the dehydrogenating carrier composition based on information regarding the composition and amount used of the second dehydrogenating carrier composition.

[0128] The acquisition unit 112 of the processing device 100 can then acquire information regarding the amount of lost carriers based on the total number of moles of LOHC in the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and the total number of moles of LOHC in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition obtained in this manner.

[0129] The acquisition unit 112 may acquire greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of lost dehydrogenation carriers based on information regarding the amount of lost carriers. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 112 may acquire greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of lost dehydrogenation carriers based on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of lost dehydrogenation carriers. This allows for the calculation of GHG emissions based on makeup LOHC based on a more accurate amount of loss.

[0130] The control unit 113 controls the overall operation of System 1. For example, based on information stored in the storage 120, the control unit 113 may control the flow rate of the hydrogenation carrier composition from the fourth storage device 21 to the dehydrogenation device 20a, control the start and end timing of the dehydrogenation reaction in the dehydrogenation device 20a, control the reaction conditions, control the flow rate of the dehydrogenation carrier composition from the dehydrogenation device 20a to the fifth storage device 22, or control the flow rate of the makeup dehydrogenation carrier from the seventh storage device 24 to the fifth storage device 22. Alternatively, based on information stored in the storage 120, the control unit 113 may control the flow rate of hydrogen from the first storage device 11 to the hydrogenation device 10a, or control the flow rate of the dehydrogenation carrier from the second storage device 12 to the hydrogenation device 10a.

[0131] Furthermore, depending on the configuration of the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a, the dehydrogenation reaction may not proceed sufficiently if the hydrogenation carrier composition is passed through the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a only once. In that case, the hydrogenation carrier composition may be passed through the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a multiple times. In determining whether the dehydrogenation reaction has proceeded sufficiently, information on the composition obtained by the analyzer 22b may be used, or an analyzer may be provided separately in the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a, and information on the composition obtained therefrom may be used. Specifically, the proportion of dehydrogenated carriers in the composition obtained from the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a after the dehydrogenation reaction may be obtained using the analyzer, and if this proportion is above a predetermined value, it may be determined that the dehydrogenation reaction has proceeded sufficiently.

[0132] Although the configurations have been described in detail so far based on the assumption of a batch process, System 1 in this disclosure is also applicable to a continuous process. In that case, for example, information on the composition and usage amount of the hydrogenation carrier composition and the dehydrogenation carrier composition can be measured at regular intervals, and based on these measurement results, information on the amount of carriers lost when using the hydrogenation carrier composition to produce the dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen can be obtained.

[0133] According to this disclosure, in a series of processes in which a first dehydrogenation carrier composition is hydrogenated and a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen are produced from the hydrogenated carrier composition, the amount of lost carriers can be calculated, and based on the calculation results, the amount of GHG emissions when replenishing the dehydrogenation carrier composition can be accurately calculated. Furthermore, GHG emission information can be attached when supplying the dehydrogenation carrier composition. This will advance the visualization and optimization of GHG emissions throughout the hydrogen supply chain, promoting the reduction of the carbon footprint on the demand side and compliance with various standards and certifications.

[0134] Furthermore, the information regarding the amount of lost carriers obtained in this disclosure is not merely used as a result of calculating the mass balance, but is used as a control parameter to control the actual supply amount in the replenishment process for replenishing dehydrogenation carriers. Specifically, the processing apparatus 100 controls the supply amount of dehydrogenation carriers supplied from the seventh storage device 24 to the second storage device 12 via the control unit 113 based on the information regarding the amount of lost carriers, thereby maintaining a state in which the dehydrogenation process can continue. Thus, the acquisition of the amount of lost carriers in this disclosure is a technical means inseparably linked to the control process for establishing a physical carrier circulation process, and is not merely information processing.

[0135] C12. Referring to the hardware configuration diagram 3C of the processing unit, an example of a hardware configuration for realizing the processing unit 100 described above will be explained. Note that the functions of each device can also be realized by dividing them among multiple devices.

[0136] As shown in Figure 3C, the processing unit 100 may consist of a processor 110, storage 120, input / output interface 130, communication interface 140, and memory 150, all connected by a bus 160.

[0137] The processor 110 controls various processes in the processing unit 100 by executing a program stored in the storage 120. For example, each functional unit of the processing unit 100 can be realized by the processor 110 executing a program stored in the storage 120. The program of this disclosure may be recorded on storage, i.e., a readable recording medium.

[0138] The storage 120 is a non-volatile storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage 120 stores the operating system and various programs for realizing the above configurations. The storage medium storing these various programs may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In addition, the storage 120 can also store tables for registering various information and a database (DB) for managing these tables. Such programs and data are loaded into the storage 120 as needed and accessed by the processor 110.

[0139] The input / output interface 130 is a device for receiving input from the user. Specific examples of the input / output interface 130 include input devices such as cameras, buttons, microphones, keyboards, mice, touch panels, and various sensors, and output devices such as displays. The input / output interface 130 may be connected to the processing unit 100 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0140] The communication interface 140 is a device for performing data communication with an external device of the processing unit 100 via a communication network N, either by wire or wireless connection. The communication interface 140 may also be located outside the processing unit 100. In that case, the communication interface 140 is connected to the processing unit 100 via an interface such as USB.

[0141] Memory 150 is a storage medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM temporarily stores program code for programs executed by the processor 110, as well as data required during program execution.

[0142] C2. Second Approach The second approach calculates the amount of lost carriers by dividing it into three categories: the hydrogenation process, the transport process, and the dehydrogenation process, similar to the calculation of greenhouse gases. In the second approach, the amount of lost carriers in each process may be calculated and then summed up to obtain information on the overall makeup LOHC (amount of lost carriers).

[0143] Figure 2B shows one aspect of the system of this disclosure in the second approach. Figure 2B shows only the dehydrogenation equipment 20 in Figure 2A. Note that the equipment configuration of the dehydrogenation equipment 20 is the same as in the first approach, so redundant explanations are omitted. In this disclosure, the equipment that analyzes information on the composition of the hydrogenation carrier composition may be distinguished as the first analytical equipment, and the equipment that analyzes information on the composition of the dehydrogenation carrier composition may be distinguished as the second analytical equipment. Similarly, the equipment that detects the amount of hydrogenation carrier composition used may be distinguished as the first measuring instrument, and the equipment that detects the amount of dehydrogenation carrier composition produced may be distinguished as the second measuring instrument.

[0144] In the second approach, in a dehydrogenation step that uses a hydrogenation carrier composition to produce a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen, information on the amount of carriers lost in the dehydrogenation step is obtained based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition, and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0145] In other words, the first approach compares the total moles of LOHC in the first dehydrogenation carrier composition used in the hydrogenation plant 10 with the total moles of LOHC in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition produced from the dehydrogenation plant 20, whereas the second approach differs in that it compares the total moles of LOHC in the hydrogenation carrier composition used in the dehydrogenation plant 20 with the total moles of LOHC in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition produced from the dehydrogenation plant 20.

[0146] As shown in the first approach, the total moles of LOHC in each carrier composition can be calculated based on information regarding composition and information regarding usage or production; therefore, the explanation of the process for calculating the amount of lost carriers will be omitted. However, according to the second approach, the amount of lost carriers in any process, such as a hydrogenation process or a transport process, not limited to the dehydrogenation process shown in Figure 2B, can be calculated based on the information and amount of composition of the input carrier composition and the information and amount of composition of the output carrier composition. Therefore, even when the first dehydrogenation carrier composition supplied to the hydrogenation plant is distributed in a transport process or mixed with other LOHCs, the amount of makeup LOHCs corresponding to the route taken can be quantified.

[0147] D. Manufacturing Method Next, a series of methods for producing a dehydrogenated carrier composition and / or hydrogen using a production system for the dehydrogenated carrier composition and / or hydrogen will be described. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an example of a method for producing a dehydrogenated carrier composition and / or hydrogen according to this disclosure.

[0148] The following describes in detail each step that the dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or hydrogen production method (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "production method") relating to this disclosure may comprise.

[0149] D1. Hydrogen Process The manufacturing method according to this disclosure may include a hydrogen process in which a hydrogenation carrier composition is produced using a first dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen. In the hydrogen process, the control unit 113 transmits a signal to the hydrogenation apparatus 10a to produce a hydrogenation carrier composition from the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen. As a result, the hydrogenation apparatus 10a produces a hydrogenation carrier composition from the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen.

[0150] D2. First Analysis Step The manufacturing method according to this disclosure may include a first analysis step S1 for compositional analysis of the hydrogenation carrier composition. In the first analysis step S1, the control unit 111 transmits a signal to the analyzer 21b to perform compositional analysis of the hydrogenation carrier composition. The analyzer 21b then performs compositional analysis of the hydrogenation carrier composition and transmits the obtained information on composition and density to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 then stores the obtained information on composition and density in the storage 120. The hydrogenation carrier composition to be analyzed may be one obtained in the hydrogenation step.

[0151] Information regarding the composition of the hydrogenation carrier composition may also be the carbon number distribution. In that case, in the first analysis step S1, the acquisition unit 112 obtains the carbon number of the main component compound from the carbon number distribution of the hydrogenation carrier composition stored in the storage 120, and identifies the hydrogenation carriers and dehydrogenation carriers contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition based on the carbon number. The acquisition unit 112 may then obtain information regarding the purity of the hydrogenation carriers contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition based on the information regarding the density of the hydrogenation carriers, the information regarding the density of the dehydrogenation carriers, and the information regarding the density of the hydrogenation carrier composition stored in the storage 120.

[0152] D3. Dehydrogenation Step The manufacturing method according to this disclosure includes a dehydrogenation step S2 in which a hydrogenation carrier composition is used to produce a dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen. In the dehydrogenation step S2, the control unit 113 transmits a signal to the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a to produce a dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen from the hydrogenation carrier composition. As a result, the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a produces a dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen from the hydrogenation carrier composition. The hydrogenation carrier composition used in the dehydrogenation step S2 may be the same as that obtained in the hydrogenation step.

[0153] The method by which the dehydrogenation apparatus 20a produces a dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen from the hydrogenation carrier composition is not particularly limited, but one example is heating the hydrogenation carrier composition. In this case, the heating temperature is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 300 to 500°C.

[0154] D4. Second Analysis Step The manufacturing method according to the present disclosure may include a second analysis step S3 for compositional analysis of the dehydrogenation carrier composition. In the second analysis step S3, the control unit 111 transmits a signal to the analyzer 12b and / or analyzer 22b to perform compositional analysis of the dehydrogenation carrier composition. As a result, the analyzer 12b and / or analyzer 22b perform compositional analysis of the dehydrogenation carrier composition and transmit the obtained information on composition and density to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 then stores the obtained information on composition and density in the storage 120. The dehydrogenation carrier composition stored in the second storage device 12 is also called the first dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the dehydrogenation carrier composition stored in the fifth storage device 22 is also called the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0155] Information regarding the composition of the dehydrogenation carrier composition may also be the carbon number distribution. In that case, in the second analysis step S3, the acquisition unit 112 obtains the carbon number of the main component compound from the carbon number distribution of the dehydrogenation carrier composition stored in the storage 120, and identifies the hydrogenation carrier and dehydrogenation carrier contained in the dehydrogenation carrier composition based on the carbon number. The acquisition unit 112 may then obtain information regarding the purity of the dehydrogenation carrier contained in the dehydrogenation carrier composition based on the information regarding the density of the hydrogenation carrier, the information regarding the density of the dehydrogenation carrier, and the information regarding the density of the dehydrogenation carrier composition stored in the storage 120.

[0156] D5. Acquisition Process The manufacturing method according to this disclosure may include an acquisition step S4 in which information on the amount of lost carriers in the dehydrogenation process is acquired based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. In acquisition step S4, the control unit 111 transmits signals to the flow rate control devices 21a and 22a, respectively, to measure information on the flow rate of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the flow rate of the dehydrogenation carrier composition. As a result, the flow rate control devices 21a and 22a measure information on the flow rate of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the flow rate of the dehydrogenation carrier composition, respectively, and transmit the obtained flow rate information to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 then stores the obtained flow rate information in the storage 120.

[0157] Next, the acquisition unit 112 acquires information regarding the composition, density, and flow rate of the hydrogenation carrier composition, as well as information regarding the composition, density, and flow rate of the dehydrogenation carrier composition, stored in the storage unit 120, and calculates information regarding the amount of lost carriers based on these. The information regarding the amount of lost carriers obtained here is information from the dehydrogenation process.

[0158] The acquisition unit 112 may acquire greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of makeup dehydrogenation carriers (lost dehydrogenation carriers) in the acquisition process S4. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 112 may acquire greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion from hydrogenation carriers to hydrogen in the acquisition process S4, based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen converted, information regarding the energy used, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of lost dehydrogenation carriers. The greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of lost dehydrogenation carriers may be obtained by multiplying the amount of dehydrogenation carriers produced (kg) by an emission factor (for example, the unit is kgCO2e / kg) that indicates the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of dehydrogenation carriers per unit amount. The emission factor may be recorded in an external database, and the management unit 111 may acquire the emission factor from an external database and store it in the storage 120.

[0159] The manufacturing method according to this disclosure may have an acquisition step S4' instead of acquisition step S4, which acquires information on the amount of lost carriers from the hydrogen step to the dehydrogenation step based on information on the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. In acquisition step S4', the control unit 111 transmits signals to the flow rate control devices 12a and 22a, respectively, to measure information on the flow rates of the first and second dehydrogenation carrier compositions. As a result, the flow rate control devices 12a and 22a measure information on the flow rates of the first and second dehydrogenation carrier compositions, respectively. The control unit 111 then stores this obtained flow rate information in the storage 120.

[0160] Next, the acquisition unit 112 acquires information regarding the composition, density, and flow rate of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition, as well as information regarding the composition, density, and flow rate of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, stored in the storage unit 120, and calculates information regarding the amount of lost carriers based on this information. The information regarding the amount of lost carriers obtained here is information from the hydrogenation process to the dehydrogenation process.

[0161] D6. Replenishment Step The manufacturing method according to the present disclosure may include a replenishment step S5 in which dehydrogenation carriers are replenished in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition based on information regarding the amount of lost carriers. In the replenishment step S5, the control unit 113 transmits a signal to the seventh storage device 24 to supply dehydrogenation carriers to the second storage device 12. As a result, the seventh storage device 24 supplies dehydrogenation carriers to the second storage device 12.

[0162] The amount of dehydrogenation carriers supplied may be equal to the amount of lost carriers expressed as the equivalent amount of dehydrogenation carriers. Furthermore, the supplied dehydrogenation carriers may be of the same type as the main component of the dehydrogenation carrier composition. For example, if the main component of the dehydrogenation carrier composition is TL, the supplied dehydrogenation carriers may be TL.

[0163] D7. Greenhouse Gas Emission Acquisition Process The manufacturing method relating to this disclosure may further acquire greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen in the acquisition process. This process is also referred to as the greenhouse gas emission acquisition process S6. In the greenhouse gas emission acquisition process S6, the acquisition unit 112 may calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen by summing up a plurality of GHG emission information stored in the storage 120.

[0164] Multiple GHG emission data may include greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen production, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of hydrogen to hydrogen carriers, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transportation of hydrogen carriers, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of hydrogen carriers back to hydrogen. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of hydrogen carriers back to hydrogen may include greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of dehydrogenation carriers. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen are also an example of GHG emission data.

[0165] The following describes an example of a method for calculating GHG emissions associated with hydrogen carriers. Note that the method for calculating GHG emissions is not limited to the one described below. Quantitative evaluation of GHG emissions utilizes life cycle assessment (LCA) methods, and evaluations are conducted based on international standards such as ISO 14040 / 14044 and ISO 14067, a product carbon footprint (CFP) standard. In the hydrogen sector, ISO / TS 19870:2023 has been established as a technical specification defining methods for calculating GHG emissions across the entire value chain, from raw material extraction to hydrogen production, and further to transportation and supply. ISO / TS 19870 specifies methods for calculating GHG emissions for multiple processes, including diverse production routes such as hydrogen production by electrolysis, natural gas steam reforming (SMR) CSS, coal gasification CSS, biomass-derived hydrogen CSS, petrochemical process by-product hydrogen, and chlor-alkali by-product hydrogen, as well as hydrogen carrier conversion processes such as hydrogen liquefaction, ammonia synthesis, and LOHC hydrogenation (Annex A to J).

[0166] D71. GHG Emissions in Hydrogen Production Processes The GHG emissions associated with hydrogen production are calculated based on the following factors: • Hydrogen production method (e.g., water electrolysis, steam methane reforming, brine electrolysis, steam cracking, hydrogen production by coal gasification, hydrogen production by biomass, or hydrogen production by natural gas) • Amount of hydrogen produced • Amount of energy used in production (electricity, heat, etc.) and its GHG emissions • Information on by-products

[0167] D711. Water electrolysis method: In the water electrolysis method, water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical energy in an electrolytic cell. The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2) of hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis method may be obtained based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen produced and information regarding the energy used.

[0168] The amount of GHG emissions associated with electrolysis depends on the method of supplying electricity for electrolysis. Examples of major emission sources for calculating GHG emissions include the following. In addition, the energy used by heating equipment when heat is required for the operation of the electrolytic cell, and the energy used by oxygen treatment equipment when supplying oxygen as a by-product, may also be included.

[0169]

[0170] Oxygen is a byproduct of water electrolysis. For the allocation of GHG emissions associated with oxygen, GHG emissions may be allocated to hydrogen and oxygen using the system expansion method or the economic value allocation method.

[0171] D712. Steam Methane Reforming Method Steam methane reforming is a technology for producing hydrogen from natural gas and light hydrocarbons. In steam methane reforming, greenhouse gases are generated when fossil fuels are burned to obtain heat and steam, and also during the water-gas shift reaction. To further reduce CO2 emissions in hydrogen production, CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) may be integrated. Reformer main reaction: CH₄ + H₂O → CO + 3H₂ Water-gas shift main reaction: CO + H₂O → CO₂ + H₂

[0172] The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2) of hydrogen produced by the steam methane reforming method may be obtained based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen produced, information regarding the natural gas used for reforming, information regarding the energy used, and information regarding the amount of carbon dioxide recovered as a by-product.

[0173] In the steam methane reforming process, the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels, which supply the reaction heat necessary to convert natural gas into synthesis gas and to convert CO into hydrogen and CO2. In addition, upstream emissions generated throughout the lifecycle, such as electricity from the power grid, CO2 removal, and CO2 compression for CCS, are also significant sources of emissions. Information regarding the main emission sources in the steam methane reforming process includes, for example, the following:

[0174]

[0175] For the allocation of steam methane reforming, the ISO 19870:2023 Annex B may be used.

[0176] D713. Saltwater electrolysis: Saltwater electrolysis is a process that produces chlorine, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, and hydrogen as by-products by electrolyzing saline solution (NaCl aqueous solution) or potassium chloride (KCl). 2NaCl + 2H₂O → Cl₂ + H₂ + 2NaOH

[0177] The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2) of hydrogen produced by the brine electrolysis method may be obtained based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen produced, the energy used, and the by-product compounds.

[0178] Information regarding major emission sources in brine electrolysis includes, for example, the following:

[0179]

[0180] For the allocation of the brine electrolysis method, the ISO 19870:2023 Annex C may be followed.

[0181] When using an attribution approach, the energy consumption and emission load associated with brine electrolysis are allocated to each product (Cl₂, NaOH / KOH, H₂) based on its physical attributes. Since Cl₂ and NaOH (or KOH) are not valued in terms of their energy value, the appropriate method for allocating emissions between them and hydrogen is by mass ratio. After appropriately allocating process emissions to hydrogen, the carbon intensity of hydrogen may be calculated by adding the additional emissions associated with drying, cooling, and compressing the hydrogen.

[0182] The consequential approach also takes into account other factors relevant when utilizing hydrogen as a byproduct. For example, counterfactual scenarios include using hydrogen internally for heating or power generation in a typical brine electrolysis plant, or releasing it as waste gas.

[0183] D714. Steam Cracking: Steam cracking is a petrochemical process that breaks down saturated hydrocarbons into smaller (often unsaturated) hydrocarbons and is known as a major industrial method for producing light alkenes such as ethylene and propylene.

[0184] The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2) of hydrogen produced by the steam cracking method may be obtained based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen produced, information regarding the raw materials used, information regarding the energy used, and information regarding the by-product compounds.

[0185] Emissions from the steam cracking process are due to the combustion of fuel gases derived from the cracking process, which are used to supply the heat required for the process. Combustion takes place in furnaces or boilers, and emissions vary depending on the steam cracking material (such as naphtha, ethane, propane, butane, or gasoline). Information regarding major emission sources in the steam cracking process includes, for example, the following:

[0186]

[0187] For the allocation of the brine electrolysis method, the ISO 19870:2023 Annex D may be used.

[0188] When using an attribution approach, the energy and emission loads associated with the steam cracking process are assigned to unit products (olefin products and hydrogen) based on their physical attributes. Olefin products can be valued on an energy or mass basis, and the appropriate physical attributes are determined by how the by-products are valued.

[0189] The consequential approach allows for consideration of other factors relevant when utilizing hydrogen as a byproduct. For example, if there is a counterfactual scenario where hydrogen is used internally as process heat or fuel for CHP (cogeneration) units, then an alternative heat source (e.g., natural gas) would be needed to divert the hydrogen to the market, and this heat deficiency could be compensated for.

[0190] D715. Hydrogen Production Method by Coal Gasification To produce hydrogen gas using coal, coal is mixed with oxygen and steam in a gasifier (gasifier). The basic gasification reaction equation E1 is as follows: This reaction E1 is carried out at high temperature, and some of the coal is oxidized by oxygen, generating energy to carry out reaction E2. C (carbon in coal) + H2O (steam) + heat → CO (carbon monoxide) + H2 (hydrogen) (E1) C + O2 (oxygen) → CO2 (carbon dioxide) + heat (E2)

[0191] The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2) of hydrogen produced by the coal gasification hydrogen production method are obtained based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen produced, information regarding the raw materials used, information regarding the energy used, and information regarding the by-product compounds.

[0192] In coal gasification with CCS, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions is the process of converting carbon in coal to CO2. Other major emission sources include air separation (including air and oxygen compression), CO2 removal, CO2 compression for CCS, coal processing (particle size adjustment and washing) activities, and methane leakage and emissions associated with mining. Information on the main emission sources in hydrogen production methods using coal gasification includes, for example, the following:

[0193]

[0194] The allocation of hydrogen production methods using coal gasification may be in accordance with ISO 19870:2023 Annex E.

[0195] The coal gasification process is divided into multiple modules, facilitating emissions calculation and analysis through system expansion. For example, in coal gasification, the analysis focuses on the following three individual modules:

[0196] Module 1 (Upstream System): This module covers upstream activities related to the extraction, processing, and supply of coal raw materials. Since this system deals with a single product (coal for gasification), allocation methods are unnecessary, and all emissions are allocated to coal. It is also possible to omit the evaluation of Module 1 by using appropriate indirect emission factors (covering coal supply).

[0197] Module 2 (Air Separation System): This module focuses on supplying oxygen for the coal gasification process. In Module 2, in addition to oxygen as an intermediate product, two by-products, nitrogen and crude argon, are also possible. Waste heat may be generated during the process of consuming electricity.

[0198] Module 3 (Gasification System): This module covers all remaining processes, including additional coal processing, gasification, synthesis gas preparation, and waste heat recovery. The inputs to Module 3 include the intermediate products from Modules 1 and 2 (with their respective emission factors).

[0199] D716. Hydrogen Production Method Using Biomass This section describes the production of hydrogen using biomass waste as a raw material, accompanied by CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage). First, biomass refers to organic matter derived from plants and animals, excluding that buried in geological formations or fossilized. Hydrogen derived from biomass can be an alternative to other highly efficient biomass-based secondary energy carriers (e.g., biofuels) as a carbon-free fuel. In hydrogen production accompanied by CCS, CO2 of biological origin is sequestered and permanently stored, thereby reducing atmospheric carbon net.

[0200] The biomass raw materials used in hydrogen production are wide-ranging and include wet organic waste (e.g., sewage sludge, livestock waste, municipal solid waste), agricultural and forestry residues and by-products, certain energy crops, and non-food crops.

[0201] Examples of processes for producing hydrogen from biomass include the biodigestion route and the gasification route, which includes both gasification routes involving combustion and gasification routes without combustion.

[0202] The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2) of hydrogen produced by a biomass-based hydrogen production method may be obtained based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen produced, information regarding the raw materials used, and information regarding the energy used.

[0203] In biomass-derived hydrogen pathways involving CCS, CO2 generated from gasification and anaerobic digestion processes is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. However, unlike natural gas SMR and coal gasification, CO2 emissions in biomass gasification are bio-derived. Information regarding the main emission sources in biomass-based hydrogen production methods includes, for example, the following:

[0204]

[0205] For the allocation of hydrogen production methods using biomass, ISO 19870:2023 Annex F may be followed. Whenever possible, it is recommended to avoid allocating GHG emissions among by-products.

[0206] D717. Hydrogen Production Method Using Natural Gas Hydrogen production methods using natural gas are generally considered "self-heating" because the heat obtained from the exothermic oxidation reaction of methane supports the endothermic reforming reaction that proceeds simultaneously. In an autothermal reformer, methane is first partially oxidized to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Unlike steam methane reforming (SMR), an autothermal reactor does not require an external heat source.

[0207] The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2) of hydrogen produced by the natural gas hydrogen production method may be obtained based on information regarding the amount of hydrogen produced, information regarding the raw materials used, information regarding the energy used, and information regarding the amount of carbon dioxide recovered as a by-product.

[0208] In autothermal reforming with CCS, the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions are greenhouse gas leaks, CO2 separation and capture, and CO2 compression and transport for CCS. Information regarding the main emission sources in hydrogen production using natural gas includes, for example, the following:

[0209]

[0210] Hydrogen production using natural gas may produce multiple by-products. Examples include hydrogen, steam, and CO2, but the specific by-products will vary depending on the plant design. Allocation of hydrogen production using natural gas may follow ISO 19870:2023 Annex G.

[0211] D72. GHG emissions associated with adjustment / conversion Below, we will explain the GHG emissions associated with adjusting / converting hydrogen to a hydrogenation carrier and the GHG emissions associated with adjusting / converting a hydrogenation carrier to hydrogen. In this disclosure, the hydrogenation carrier is a LOHC. GHG emissions in the process of converting hydrogen to a LOHC may be obtained based on the following information: ・Amount of hydrogenation carrier after conversion ・Energy used in the conversion process ・Carbon emission intensity of the supplied energy

[0212] The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2Carrier) associated with the conversion of hydrogen to LOHC may be obtained based on information regarding the generated LOHC and information regarding the energy used.

[0213] Information regarding the main emission sources in the hydrogenation of LOHCs includes, for example, the following:

[0214]

[0215] Examples of information regarding major emission sources related to the dehydrogenation of LOHCs include the following:

[0216]

[0217] Regarding the allocation related to the hydrogenation of LOHCs, for example, the following may be followed:

[0218]

[0219] Regarding the allocation related to the dehydrogenation of LOHC, for example, the following may be followed.

[0220]

[0221] D73. GHG emissions associated with the transport of hydrogenated carriers The GHG emissions associated with the transport of hydrogenated carriers may be obtained based on information regarding the energy used for transport, and the GHG emissions related to the transport of hydrogenated carriers will differ depending on the mode of transport (pipeline, rail, road, sea, inland waterway), and may be calculated based on the following factors: • Transport distance • Energy consumption for each mode of transport • Carbon emission intensity of supplied energy

[0222] E. Notes [1] A method for producing a hydrogenated carrier composition and / or hydrogen, comprising: a hydrogenation step of producing a hydrogenated carrier composition using a first dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen; a dehydrogenation step of producing a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen using the hydrogenated carrier composition; and an acquisition step of acquiring information on the amount of lost carriers from the hydrogenation step to the dehydrogenation step based on information on the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. [2] A method for producing a dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or hydrogen, comprising: a dehydrogenation step of producing a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen using a hydrogenated carrier composition; and an acquisition step of acquiring information on the amount of lost carriers in the dehydrogenation step based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenated carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. [3] The method according to [1] or [2], wherein in the acquisition step, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of lost carriers are acquired based on the information on the amount of lost carriers. [4] The manufacturing method according to [3], wherein in the acquisition step, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of loss carriers are acquired based on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of the hydrogen produced. [5] The manufacturing method according to any one of [2] to [4], further comprising a first analysis step of compositionally analyzing the hydrogenation carrier composition, wherein in the first analysis step, the number of carbon atoms of the main component compound is acquired from the carbon number distribution of the hydrogenation carrier composition, and information is acquired regarding the purity of the hydrogenation carrier contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition based on information regarding the density of the hydrogenation carrier having the carbon atoms, information regarding the density of the dehydrogenation carrier having the carbon atoms, and information regarding the density of the hydrogenation carrier composition.[6] A manufacturing method according to any one of [1] to [5], comprising a second analysis step of compositionally analyzing the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, wherein in the second analysis step, the carbon number of a main component compound is obtained from the carbon number distribution of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, and information regarding the purity of the dehydrogenation carrier contained in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition is obtained based on information regarding the density of hydrogenation carriers having the carbon number, information regarding the density of dehydrogenation carriers having the carbon number, and information regarding the density of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition. [7] A manufacturing method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the liquid organic hydrogen carrier contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition is a single system or a mixed system. [8] A manufacturing method according to any one of [1] to [7], comprising a replenishment step of replenishing the second dehydrogenation carrier composition with dehydrogenation carriers based on information regarding the amount of lost carriers. [9] A manufacturing method according to [8], wherein the replenished dehydrogenation carrier is of the same type as the main component of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[10] The manufacturing method according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein in the acquisition step, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the hydrogen are further acquired, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the hydrogen include greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of hydrogen, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of hydrogen to a hydrogenation carrier, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transport of the hydrogenation carrier, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion from the hydrogenation carrier to hydrogen, and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion from the hydrogenation carrier to hydrogen include greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of a dehydrogenation carrier.

[11] The manufacturing method according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the dehydrogenation site comprises a first storage device for storing a hydrogenation carrier composition to be used and a second storage device for storing the generated dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the acquisition step is performed in a process in which the hydrogenation carrier composition stored in the first storage device is dehydrogenated to produce hydrogen and a dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the dehydrogenation carrier composition is stored in the second storage device.

[12] The manufacturing method according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein a trailer that circulates to one or more dehydrogenation sites comprises a first storage device for storing a hydrogenation carrier composition to be used and a second storage device for storing a generated dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the acquisition step is performed in a process in which the hydrogenation carrier composition is supplied from the first storage device to one or more of the dehydrogenation sites and the dehydrogenation carrier composition is recovered from one or more of the dehydrogenation sites to the second storage device.

[13] The manufacturing method according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein a storage site comprises a first storage device for storing a hydrogenation carrier composition to be used and a second storage device for storing a generated dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the acquisition step is performed in a process in which one or more trailers supply the hydrogenation carrier composition from the first storage device to one or more of the dehydrogenation sites and the dehydrogenation carrier composition is recovered from one or more of the storage sites to the second storage device.

[14] A dehydrogenation apparatus that uses a hydrogenation carrier composition to produce a dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen; and a processing apparatus that acquires information on the amount of carriers lost in dehydrogenation based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[15] The production system according to

[14] , comprising: a first analyzer for detecting information on the composition of the hydrogenation carrier composition; a first measuring instrument for detecting the amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition; a second analyzer for detecting information on the composition of the dehydrogenation carrier composition; and a second measuring instrument for detecting the amount produced of the dehydrogenation carrier composition.

[0223] 1...System, 10...Hydrogenation equipment, 10a...Hydrogenation device, 11...First storage device, 11a...Flow rate control device, 11b...Analyzer, 12...Second storage device, 12a...Flow rate control device, 12b...Analyzer, 13...Third storage device, 13a...Flow rate control device, 13b...Analyzer, 20a...Dehydrogenation device, 21...Fourth storage device, 21a...Flow rate control device, 21b...Analyzer, 22...Fifth storage device, 22a...Flow rate control device, 22b...Analyzer, 23...Sixth storage device, 23a...Flow rate control device, 23b...Analyzer, 24...Seventh storage device, 100...Processing device, 110...Processor, 111...Management unit, 112...Acquisition unit, 113...Control unit, 120...Storage, 121...Carrier composition data, 130...Input / output interface, 140...Communication interface, 150...Memory

Claims

1. A method for producing a hydrogenated carrier composition and / or hydrogen, comprising: a hydrogenation step of producing a hydrogenated carrier composition using a first dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen; a dehydrogenation step of producing a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen using the hydrogenated carrier composition; and an acquisition step of acquiring information on the amount of lost carriers from the hydrogenation step to the dehydrogenation step, based on information on the composition and amount used of the first dehydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

2. A method for producing a dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or hydrogen, comprising: a dehydrogenation step of using a hydrogenation carrier composition to produce a second dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen; and an acquisition step of obtaining information on the amount of lost carriers in the dehydrogenation step based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the acquisition step, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of loss carriers are acquired based on information regarding the amount of loss carriers.

4. The manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein in the acquisition step, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of the lost carrier are acquired based on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of the lost carrier.

5. The manufacturing method according to claim 2, comprising a first analytical step of compositionally analyzing the hydrogenation carrier composition, wherein in the first analytical step, the carbon number of a main component compound is obtained from the carbon number distribution of the hydrogenation carrier composition, and information regarding the purity of the hydrogenation carrier contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition is obtained based on information regarding the density of the hydrogenation carrier having the carbon number, information regarding the density of the dehydrogenation carrier having the carbon number, and information regarding the density of the hydrogenation carrier composition.

6. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a second analytical step of compositionally analyzing the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, wherein in the second analytical step, the carbon number of a main component compound is obtained from the carbon number distribution of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition, and information regarding the purity of the dehydrogenation carrier contained in the second dehydrogenation carrier composition is obtained based on information regarding the density of hydrogenation carriers having the carbon number, information regarding the density of dehydrogenation carriers having the carbon number, and information regarding the density of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

7. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid organic hydrogen carrier contained in the hydrogenation carrier composition is a single system or a mixed system.

8. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a replenishment step of replenishing the second dehydrogenation carrier composition with dehydrogenation carriers based on information regarding the amount of lost carriers.

9. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein the replenished dehydrogenation carrier is of the same type as the main component of the second dehydrogenation carrier composition.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the acquisition step, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the hydrogen are further acquired, and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the hydrogen include greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of hydrogen, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of hydrogen to a hydrogenation carrier, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transport of the hydrogenation carrier, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion from the hydrogenation carrier to hydrogen, and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion from the hydrogenation carrier to hydrogen include greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of a dehydrogenation carrier.

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a dehydrogenation site is equipped with a first storage device for storing a hydrogenation carrier composition to be used and a second storage device for storing the generated dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the acquisition step is performed in a process in which the hydrogenation carrier composition stored in the first storage device is dehydrogenated to produce hydrogen and a dehydrogenation carrier composition, and the dehydrogenation carrier composition is stored in the second storage device.

12. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, comprising a trailer that circulates to one or more dehydrogenation sites, the trailer comprising a first storage device for storing a hydrogenation carrier composition to be used and a second storage device for storing a generated dehydrogenation carrier composition, wherein the process involves supplying the hydrogenation carrier composition from the first storage device to one or more of the dehydrogenation sites and recovering the dehydrogenation carrier composition from one or more of the dehydrogenation sites to the second storage device, and the acquisition step is performed.

13. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein a storage site comprises a first storage device for storing a hydrogenation carrier composition to be used and a second storage device for storing a generated dehydrogenation carrier composition, and in a process in which one or more trailers supply the hydrogenation carrier composition from the first storage device to one or more dehydrogenation sites and recover the dehydrogenation carrier composition from one or more storage sites to the second storage device, the acquisition step is performed.

14. A system for producing a dehydrogenation carrier composition and / or hydrogen, comprising: a dehydrogenation apparatus that produces a dehydrogenation carrier composition and hydrogen using a hydrogenation carrier composition; and a processing apparatus that acquires information on the amount of carriers lost in dehydrogenation based on information on the composition and amount used of the hydrogenation carrier composition and information on the composition and amount produced of the dehydrogenation carrier composition.

15. The manufacturing system according to claim 14, comprising: a first analyzer for detecting information relating to the composition of the hydrogenation carrier composition; a first measuring device for detecting the amount of the hydrogenation carrier composition used; a second analyzer for detecting information relating to the composition of the dehydrogenation carrier composition; and a second measuring device for detecting the amount of the dehydrogenation carrier composition produced.

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