Lineage management system

Abstract

This lineage management system comprises a management unit that manages, in a process for mixing a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot, first lineage information which associates parent identification information of the plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots, information regarding the mixing, and child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lot with one another.

Description

Genealogy Management System

[0001] The present invention relates to a genealogy management system.

[0002] In recent years, toward the realization of carbon neutrality and a decarbonized society, the utilization of hydrogen energy has attracted global attention. While hydrogen is regarded as a promising energy carrier that does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) during use, greenhouse gases (hereinafter also referred to as "GHG") may be emitted in processes such as production, transportation, and conversion. For this reason, the calculation and management of GHG emissions throughout the entire hydrogen supply chain has become important.

[0003] As means for transporting and storing hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, ammonia, liquid organic hydrogen carriers (hereinafter collectively simply referred to as "hydrogen carriers") have been widely studied, and GHG emission amounts vary depending on respective production processes, conditioning / conversion processes, and transportation processes. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an operation management system capable of efficiently delivering raw materials from a raw material production base to a plurality of dehydrogenation bases.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-157750

[0005] With the spread of hydrogen supply chains, it is assumed that in the transportation process, hydrogen carriers conditioned and converted from different hydrogen sources will be mixed and supplied according to the demands of consumers. Even for the "mixed hydrogen carrier" obtained by mixing a plurality of such hydrogen carriers, it is necessary to calculate GHG emissions with a certain level of accuracy and reliability and provide the result to consumers.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a genealogy management system for a hydrogen supply chain.

[0007] The genealogy management system of the present disclosure comprises a management unit that manages first genealogy information in which, in a process of mixing a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot, parent identification information of the plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots, information relating to mixing, and child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lot are associated with each other.

[0008] The genealogy management method of this disclosure includes a step in which the genealogy management system manages first genealogy information that associates parent identification information and mixing information of a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots with child identification information of a child hydrogen carrier lot, in a process in which a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots are mixed to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot.

[0009] The program of this disclosure causes a lineage management system to perform the step of managing first lineage information, which associates parent identification information and mixing information of multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots, and child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lots, in a process of mixing multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots to generate child hydrogen carrier lots.

[0010] According to this disclosure, a genealogical management system for the hydrogen supply chain can be provided.

[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 one aspect of the system of this disclosure. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the equipment configuration for a hydrogen carrier mixing process and the first lineage information obtained thereby. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the equipment configuration for a hydrogen carrier passage process and the second lineage information obtained thereby. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the equipment configuration for a hydrogen carrier distribution process and the third lineage information obtained thereby. This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the processing device of this disclosure. This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the processing device of this disclosure. This is a flowchart showing an example of data management of this disclosure. This is a flowchart showing an example of data tracing 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 "hydrogen carrier" refers to a medium capable of storing and transporting hydrogen, and includes ammonia, liquid hydrogen, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs). Among these, ammonia has a high hydrogen density, can utilize existing infrastructure for transportation and storage, and can also be used directly as fuel. Liquid hydrogen is hydrogen liquefied at extremely low temperatures and can be maintained in a highly pure state. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers can stably store hydrogen in the form of organic compounds and have the advantage of utilizing existing petroleum-based infrastructure for transportation and storage. In addition, hydrogen can also be used as a hydrogen carrier by reacting CO2 with hydrogen to produce methane or methanol, or by using hydrogen storage alloys that reversibly react with hydrogen to produce metal hydrides.

[0015] Note that "first hydrogen carrier," "second hydrogen carrier," "third hydrogen carrier," etc., are designations used to distinguish hydrogen carriers that may have different origins or types from each other, and each has associated GHG emission information.

[0016] A "parent hydrogen carrier lot" refers to a unit of hydrogen carrier that serves as the raw material for the mixing process. A "child hydrogen carrier lot" refers to a new unit of hydrogen carrier obtained by mixing multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots.

[0017] A "liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC)" is a general term for organic compounds that can reversibly retain hydrogen. In this specification, examples include combinations of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and toluene (TL), and combinations of octahydrodibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT) and dibenzyltoluene (DBT). When there is no particular distinction between the hydrogenated state, such as MCH, and the dehydrogenated state, such as TL, the term "liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC)" is used, and when a distinction is made between the hydrogenated and dehydrogenated states, this should be clearly stated.

[0018] "Instructional information" includes information provided by consumers and other systems regarding GHG emission targets, cost targets, mixing ratios, hydrogen purity and applications, and the origin of raw materials.

[0019] "Compositional analysis" refers to the act of analyzing the composition of hydrogen carriers in tanks and piping to confirm whether they meet the required purity and characteristics.

[0020] 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.

[0021] Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are naturally occurring and anthropogenic atmospheric gaseous components 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.

[0022] "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

[0023] 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)

[0024] "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).

[0025] "Greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen carriers" refers to the sum of greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the hydrogen production process, the hydrogen carrier adjustment or conversion process, and the hydrogen carrier transport process, i.e., the carbon footprint.

[0026] On the other hand, "greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen production" refers to greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the hydrogen production process. Similarly, "greenhouse gas emissions associated with adjustment or conversion to hydrogen carriers" refers to greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the adjustment or conversion process from hydrogen to hydrogen carriers. "Greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation" refers to greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the transportation process of hydrogen carriers to the point immediately preceding the mixing process in this disclosure. Furthermore, "greenhouse gas emissions associated with conversion from hydrogen carriers to hydrogen" refers to greenhouse gas emissions calculated in the adjustment or conversion process from hydrogen carriers to hydrogen.

[0027] "Carbon footprint (CFP)" refers to the sum of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas removals in a product system, expressed in CO2 equivalent, and is evaluated based on a life cycle assessment using a single impact category: climate change.

[0028] Furthermore, "partial CFP" refers to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas removals in CO2 equivalent for one or more specific processes included in a product system, and is based on a selected stage or process in the life cycle.

[0029] "Conditioning" refers to changing the physical conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.) of a substance. Examples include changing the pressure of hydrogen gas, converting hydrogen gas into liquid hydrogen, and converting liquid hydrogen back into hydrogen gas.

[0030] "Conversion" refers to changing the chemical state of a substance, and in this disclosure, examples include hydrogenation processes that convert hydrogen to ammonia or LOHC, or dehydrogenation processes that convert ammonia or LOHC to hydrogen.

[0031] A "process" is a series of interconnected or interacting activities that convert input into output. "Input" refers to the product, material, or energy flow entering a single process, while "output" refers to the product, material, or energy flow leaving a single process.

[0032] A "co-product" refers to two or more products that are produced from the same unit process or product system. An example would be oxygen produced along with hydrogen in a hydrogen production process.

[0033] A "system boundary" refers to a boundary based on a set of criteria that define a single process included in the system under consideration.

[0034] "Allocation" refers to the process of distributing input or output flows in a process or product system between the product system under consideration and one or more other product systems.

[0035] "System expansion" refers to the concept of extending a product system to include additional functions related to by-products. For example, when hydrogen is produced by the electrolysis of water, oxygen is produced as a by-product. This oxygen can be used for medical or industrial purposes and may compete with existing oxygen supplies in the market. In system expansion, the reductions resulting from this substitution (reductions in CO2 emissions from the air separation unit) are subtracted from the environmental impact of hydrogen production, resulting in a reduction in the carbon footprint (CFP) of hydrogen.

[0036] The economic value allocation method is a method of allocating GHG emissions according to the economic value of each product. There are no particular restrictions, but for example, if hydrogen is worth 500 yen per kg and the by-product oxygen is worth 50 yen per kg, then the total GHG emissions are allocated in a ratio such as "hydrogen:oxygen = 500:50 = 10:1," taking economic value into consideration.

[0037] "Transportation" is the act of moving goods from one place to another, and is carried out by different modes of transport.

[0038] "Means of transport" refers to modes of transport used to move goods, such as inland waterways, pipelines, railways, and roads.

[0039] A "route" refers to a path (or process) taken to move from one point to another.

[0040] A "delivery gate" is the point where, based on contractual agreements, control over a product is transferred between the buyer and the supplier.

[0041] A "consumption gate" refers to the point in the entire product supply chain where the product is ultimately delivered.

[0042] The term "transport chain" refers to a series of cargo-related elements that collectively constitute the movement of cargo from a place of departure to a place of destination. The term "transport chain element (TCE)" refers to a section within the transport chain where cargo is carried by a single vehicle or passes through a single hub.

[0043] The term "hub" refers to a location where cargo is transshipped from one vehicle to another.

[0044] B. Overall Configuration B1. Framework for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of a hydrogen supply chain. The greenhouse gas calculation of the present disclosure targets the well-to-consumption gate system boundary, and includes direct emissions and indirect emissions. The system boundary may be considered by being divided into three categories: a hydrogen production process, a conditioning or conversion process, and a transportation process.

[0045] The term "greenhouse gas emission (GHG emission)" refers to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Direct emissions may include the direct release of GHGs into the atmosphere by equipment / devices used in a process. Indirect emissions may also include GHG emissions associated with the manufacture / procurement of electricity / heat or raw materials used in the process.

[0046] Greenhouse gas emissions may be expressed as an amount in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) relative to a functional unit. A functional unit refers to the quantitative performance of a product system expressed as a reference unit. For a functional unit in a supply chain such as a hydrogen production process, a conditioning or conversion process, and a transportation process, 1 kg of hydrogen or 1 kg of hydrogen carrier having characteristics corresponding to requirements of subsequent stages is recommended.

[0047] "Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e)" is a unit for comparing the radiative forcing of a given greenhouse gas against that of carbon dioxide, and may be calculated by the following formula. Examples of greenhouse gases to be considered include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). [CO₂e] = [CO₂] + 28 × [CH₄] + 265 × [N₂O]

[0048] Examples of the hydrogen production process shown in FIG. 1A include hydrogen production by water electrolysis, hydrogen production by steam reforming of natural gas accompanied by CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage), hydrogen as a by-product in industrial applications, hydrogen production by coal gasification accompanied by CCS, hydrogen production derived from biomass, and hydrogen production by autothermal reforming of natural gas accompanied by CCS.

[0049] Examples of the hydrogen conditioning or conversion process shown in FIG. 1A include conversion by ammonia production and dehydrogenation, conditioning of liquid hydrogen, and conversion by hydrogenation / dehydrogenation of a liquid organic hydrogen carrier. A downstream boundary of the hydrogen production process may correspond to an upstream boundary of the conditioning / conversion process.

[0050] GHG emissions from electricity used for hydrogen production, conditioning, and conversion may be limited to direct emissions and some indirect emissions. Emissions associated with the manufacture of power generation equipment are excluded from indirect emissions. Said GHG emissions may include primary energy extraction and transport, conversion, power generation, and losses in the power grid. GHG emissions based on renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, hydropower, and geothermal energy are considered to be zero.

[0051] The GHG emissions in the hydrogen carrier transport process shown in FIG. 1A may be obtained by aggregating GHG emissions calculated separately for each transport chain element (TCE). Calculation of GHG emissions in the transport chain (TC) may include transport operation and hub operation.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Furthermore, in calculating greenhouse gas emissions, emissions that meet a predetermined cutoff criterion 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.

[0054] 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).

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] Liquid hydrogen (LH ２ A hydrogen supply chain using this method includes a hydrogen production process, a liquid hydrogen conversion process, a liquid hydrogen transport process, and a hydrogen utilization process, and may also include a conversion process that vaporizes the liquid hydrogen before the hydrogen utilization process. The vaporization process allows hydrogen to be supplied in a form suitable for fuel cells and industrial applications, instead of directly using liquid hydrogen.

[0058] A hydrogen supply chain via ammonia may include a hydrogen production process, a hydrogen-to-ammonia conversion process, an ammonia transport process, an ammonia-to-hydrogen dehydrogenation process, and a hydrogen utilization process. Alternatively, ammonia may be used by directly burning it at the consumption gate without going through the ammonia-to-hydrogen dehydrogenation process.

[0059] C. In the hydrogen supply chain of the System Disclosure, for example, green hydrogen produced from renewable energy and blue hydrogen produced from fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas are distributed, and it is important that these are managed separately. However, even if hydrogen or hydrogen carriers are analyzed, it is not possible to determine whether the hydrogen is green hydrogen produced from renewable energy or blue hydrogen produced from fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas.

[0060] In other words, as shown in Figure 1B, in the hydrogen supply chain, hydrogen carriers that have gone through different transport routes and manufacturing processes are stored in the same storage facility located at a hub, where they are mixed and distributed. Furthermore, hydrogen carriers that have gone through different transport routes and manufacturing processes can also be mixed and distributed in transport methods such as pipelines, tankers, and tank trucks. Even if hydrogen carriers in such a distribution process are analyzed, it is not possible to identify their lineage, such as whether they were produced using green hydrogen, whether they were mixed with other hydrogen carriers, or whether they were distributed, and therefore it is not possible to estimate greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, it is important to ensure the traceability of hydrogen systematically in the maintenance and management of the hydrogen supply chain.

[0061] In this regard, the present disclosure provides a processing device that manages the lineage of hydrogen distribution routes in which hydrogen or hydrogen carriers are mixed, ownership is transferred, or distribution is carried out, and that guarantees the traceability of hydrogen.

[0062] Figure 2A shows one aspect of the system of this disclosure across the entire hydrogen supply chain. In Figure 2A, any devices (300a to 300f) located in each process, hub, and distribution means along the hydrogen supply chain and the processing unit 100 are interconnected via a network.

[0063] As shown in Figure 2A, in the hydrogen supply chain, hydrogen carriers are stored in multiple hubs and storage facilities after passing through different transport routes and manufacturing processes. Mixing and distribution are possible within these storage facilities, as well as in transport methods such as pipelines, tankers, and tank trucks. By integrating and utilizing these elements, a flexible hydrogen supply chain can be constructed. Another form of hydrogen carrier transport in the supply chain is the exchange of hydrogen carriers across delivery gates, which does not involve mixing or distribution.

[0064] The processing unit 100 can acquire information on hydrogen carriers from these devices 300a to 300f and obtain information on what kind of hydrogen carriers are in circulation. This disclosure provides a system that comprehensively manages the lineage information of hydrogen carriers in each process, covering the entire hydrogen supply chain. Specifically, the processing unit 100 enables tracing of hydrogen or hydrogen carriers in the hydrogen supply chain by managing information on hydrogen carrier mixing, hydrogen carrier transfer (addition of delivery gates), and hydrogen carrier distribution.

[0065] Furthermore, when the processing unit 100 receives a request from the customer terminal 200 via the network N, it may perform processing to output the requested information based on the hydrogen carrier information obtained from the devices 300a to 300f. For example, in response to an inquiry about a specific hydrogen carrier lot ID, it may output its lineage information.

[0066] The processing unit 100 may be a cloud server, edge server, or general-purpose computer located on the hydrogen supply chain, and may consist of a single computer or multiple computers on a network N. The software and hardware configuration of the processing unit 100 will be described later.

[0067] The customer terminal 200 is not particularly limited as long as it sends arbitrary requests to the processing unit 100 via the network N and receives responses from the processing unit 100, and may be, for example, a desktop, laptop, or other computer.

[0068] Devices 300a to 300f are devices related to processes in the hydrogen supply chain, such as hydrogen production (device 300a), conversion to hydrogen carriers and adjustment (device 300b), transportation of hydrogen or hydrogen carriers (devices 300c, 300d, 300f), distribution of hydrogen carriers (300b, 300d), mixing of hydrogen carriers (300e, 300g), passage through delivery gates (300c, 300f), and conversion to hydrogen and consumption (300g). The processing device 100 manages information from each of these devices 300a to 300f, thereby enabling the tracing of hydrogen or hydrogen carriers in the hydrogen supply chain. In the following, when devices 300a to 300f are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as "device 300".

[0069] From a traceability standpoint, the apparatus 300 can be broadly classified into apparatus related to the hydrogen carrier mixing process (e.g., 300e, 300g), apparatus related to the delivery gate passage process (e.g., 300c, 300f), and apparatus related to the hydrogen carrier distribution process (e.g., 300b, 300d). In the hydrogen supply chain, managing these allows for traceability of the distribution process.

[0070] Figure 2B shows an example of the apparatus configuration for a hydrogen carrier mixing process and the first lineage information obtained therefrom. The apparatus for the mixing process includes, for example, an apparatus 310 that supplies a first parent hydrogen carrier lot from upstream, an apparatus 320 that supplies a second parent hydrogen carrier lot from upstream, and an apparatus 330 that supplies a child hydrogen carrier lot upstream. The first parent hydrogen carrier lot and the second parent hydrogen carrier lot are supplied to the apparatus 330 from apparatus 310 and apparatus 320, where they are mixed to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot within the apparatus 330. The apparatus 330 then supplies the child hydrogen carrier lot downstream in the supply chain.

[0071] The first and second hydrogen carrier lots supplied by devices 310 and 320 to device 330 may have gone through different transport routes or manufacturing processes, or may have different compositions.

[0072] Hydrogen carriers that have gone through different transport routes or manufacturing processes are not particularly limited, but examples include hydrogen carriers obtained by adjusting or converting hydrogen produced through different hydrogen production processes such as water electrolysis or fossil fuel reforming; and hydrogen carriers obtained by adjusting or converting hydrogen produced using power sources with different GHG emissions (green hydrogen, blue hydrogen, etc.). Hydrogen carriers that have gone through different transport routes or manufacturing processes can also be said to be hydrogen carriers with different GHG emissions (CFP).

[0073] Furthermore, while there are no particular limitations on hydrogen carriers having different compositions, examples include LOHCs with different compound species, such as methylcyclohexane and perhydrodibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT); and LOHCs with different composition ratios, such as a hydrogen carrier with a composition ratio of 90 mol% methylcyclohexane / 10 mol% toluene and a hydrogen carrier with a composition ratio of 95 mol% methylcyclohexane / 5 mol% toluene.

[0074] Apparatus 310 and 320 may also include analytical devices 311 and 321. Analytical devices 311 and 321 can be used to obtain the composition and / or purity of the first and second hydrogen carrier lots. Here, the composition includes the types and ratios of the components constituting the hydrogen carrier. For example, for LOHC, a composition example would be methylcyclohexane 95 mol% / toluene 5 mol%. Furthermore, the purity may include the purity of the hydrogenation carrier such as liquid hydrogen, ammonia, and MCH, as well as the amount of impurities.

[0075] The analytical instruments 311 and 321 are not particularly limited, but examples include gas chromatography (GC), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), mass spectrometry (MS) such as GC-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and gas chromatography-flame ionization analyzer (GC-FID).

[0076] The analyzers 311 and 321 may be able to send and receive data with other devices such as the processing unit 100 via a network. This allows the processing unit 100 to receive measurement data from the analyzers 311 and 321 and record it in each storage device in association with the first genealogy information.

[0077] The devices 310 and 320 may include flow rate control devices 312 and 322. In addition to controlling the supply of the first and second parent hydrogen carrier lots by opening and closing the flow path, the flow rate control devices 312 and 322 may also measure the flow rate of the first and second parent hydrogen carrier lots that have passed through. This makes it possible to control and monitor the mixing amount and / or mixing ratio of the first and second parent hydrogen carrier lots mixed in the device 330. Furthermore, based on this information and the information obtained from the analyzers 311 and 321, it is possible to generate information regarding the amount and composition of the child hydrogen carrier lots.

[0078] The flow rate control devices 312 and 322 may be capable of sending and receiving data with other devices such as the processing device 100 via a network. This allows the processing device 100 to receive flow rate data from the flow rate control devices 312 and 322 and record it in each storage device in association with the first lineage information.

[0079] The apparatus 330 has a storage section for storing the supplied parent hydrogen carrier rods, and the parent hydrogen carrier rods may be mixed within the storage section, or it has a mixing channel through which the supplied parent hydrogen carrier rods flow, and the hydrogen carriers may be mixed within the mixing channel.

[0080] Furthermore, in the system of this disclosure, although not shown in the figures, a second hydrogen carrier lot may already be stored in the device 300, and a first parent hydrogen carrier lot may be supplied to it for mixing. One such embodiment is that different lots of the first parent hydrogen carrier lot, obtained from various distribution routes, are supplied to the second parent hydrogen carrier lot in the mixing device in a manner that adds to it. In this case, the second parent hydrogen carrier lot may already be in the state of a mixed hydrogen carrier, which is a mixture of multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots.

[0081] The apparatus 330 may include an analyzer 331 and a flow rate control device 332. The analyzer 331 can obtain the composition and / or purity of the sub-hydrogen carrier lots within the apparatus 330. The flow rate control device 332 can control the supply of mixed hydrogen carriers by opening and closing the flow path, as well as measure the flow rate of the mixed hydrogen carriers that have passed through. The analyzer 331 and the flow rate control device 332 may be able to send and receive data with other devices such as the processing device 100 via a network. This allows the processing device 100 to receive information from the analyzer 333 and record it in its respective storage, corresponding to the first lineage information.

[0082] As described above, the data collected in the mixing process is recorded in the first lineage information 121, as shown in Figure 2B. The first lineage information may record an ID for uniquely identifying the mixing process, parent identification information for uniquely identifying the parent hydrogen carrier lot, information about the mixing process for specifically identifying the mixing process, and child identification information assigned to identify the generated child hydrogen carrier lot.

[0083] The parent identification information of the parent hydrogen carrier lot may include the place of origin, classification or certification of the source hydrogen, composition of the hydrogen carrier, information on greenhouse gas emissions, or an electronic signature or timestamp attached at the time of generation of the parent identification information. This allows for detailed tracking of the source hydrogen of the hydrogen carrier.

[0084] Here, "classification of original hydrogen" refers to classification information that categorizes hydrogen used as a hydrogen carrier based on its production method, energy source, etc. Specifically, this includes classifications such as green hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and gray hydrogen derived from renewable energy. Such classification makes it possible to evaluate the environmental impact, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, according to the origin of the hydrogen.

[0085] Furthermore, the parent identification information may include information regarding the certification of the source hydrogen used to generate the hydrogen carrier. "Certification" refers to environmental or quality certification granted by a third-party organization, such as a certificate indicating that the hydrogen is derived from renewable energy or a certificate of compliance with standards regarding GHG emissions.

[0086] Furthermore, "origin" refers to the geographical or international region where the hydrogen used as a raw material for hydrogen carriers was produced, and may include identifying information such as the country or region of manufacture. Including origin information allows it to be used as an indicator of the stability and quality control of hydrogen supply in a specific region. Combining this information with electronic signatures and timestamps improves its reliability and makes it useful as evidence during audits.

[0087] Information regarding mixing may include the mixing ratio, mixing date and time, mixing equipment, mixing location, and an electronic signature or timestamp applied at the time of mixing. The mixing ratio information may be used for compositional and quality control of different source hydrogens, and may serve as a standard for supplying hydrogen carriers suitable for specific applications. For example, since the appropriate mixing ratio differs between hydrogen carriers for fuel cell vehicles and those for industrial applications, accurate management of mixing information helps maintain quality consistency. Furthermore, recording information about the mixing equipment and location allows for a more concrete understanding of the mixing process. Additionally, recording electronic signatures and timestamps serves as proof that the mixing process was carried out according to proper procedures, preventing tampering.

[0088] The child identification information of a child hydrogen carrier lot may be associated with and stored information regarding its composition, quantity, greenhouse gas emissions, or an electronic signature or timestamp attached at the time of generation of the child identification information. The composition information of the hydrogen carrier lot can be used to manage the supply of hydrogen suitable for its end use, enabling the selection and distribution of hydrogen carriers according to different applications. For example, high-purity hydrogen is required for power generation, while certain impurities may be acceptable when used in chemical processes. Furthermore, recording greenhouse gas emission information together facilitates the calculation of the carbon footprint and contributes to emissions management. In addition, utilizing records with electronic signatures and timestamps clarifies the supply history of hydrogen carriers and further improves the transparency of the supply chain.

[0089] Here, information regarding greenhouse gases associated with the child hydrogen carrier lot may be calculated by the control unit 111, described later, based on information regarding greenhouse gases associated with the parent hydrogen carrier lot and the mixing conditions.

[0090] Furthermore, the parent hydrogen carrier lot is a child hydrogen carrier lot that has passed through a delivery gate after the hydrogen carrier lot further upstream has been mixed, distributed, or otherwise passed through. Therefore, information regarding greenhouse gases and composition associated with the parent hydrogen carrier lot may be extracted and recorded from the first lineage information 121, the second lineage information 122, and the third lineage information 123.

[0091] In this disclosure, "mixing" refers to the mixing of substances that are of the same type as hydrogen carriers, such as a mixture of liquid hydrogen and liquid hydrogen, a mixture of ammonia and ammonia, or a mixture of LOHC and LOHC. Therefore, it does not refer to the mixing of substances that are different types as hydrogen carriers, such as a mixture of liquid hydrogen and ammonia.

[0092] Figure 2C shows an example of the apparatus configuration for the hydrogen carrier passage process and the second lineage information obtained therefrom. The apparatus for the passage process includes, for example, an apparatus 340 that supplies hydrogen carrier lots before passage (also called parent hydrogen carrier lots) from upstream, and an apparatus 350 that supplies hydrogen carrier lots after passage (also called child hydrogen carrier lots) downstream. A delivery gate exists between apparatus 340 and apparatus 350, and the management rights of the hydrogen carrier lots are transferred between the purchaser of the hydrogen carrier lots and the supplier of the hydrogen carrier lots.

[0093] During the delivery gate passage process, i.e., the provision of hydrogen carrier lots from device 340 to device 350, the composition of the hydrogen carrier lots generally does not change. However, from the viewpoint of quality assurance and quality control of the hydrogen carrier lots, devices 340 and 350 may each have analyzers 341 and 351, respectively, to acquire and record the composition and / or purity of the hydrogen carrier lots before and after passage. The analyzers 341 and 351 transmit data to the processing unit 100 via a network, and the processing unit 100 can record this data in each storage device in association with the second lineage information. Further explanations of other devices such as the flow rate control devices 342 and 352 that overlap with Figure 2B are omitted.

[0094] As described above, the data collected in the transit process is recorded in the second lineage information 122, as shown in Figure 2C. The second lineage information may include an ID to uniquely identify the transit process, information about the hydrogen carrier lot before transit and information about the hydrogen carrier lot after transit, information to specifically identify the currency process such as the transit date and time and currency equipment, an ID assigned to identify the hydrogen carrier lot after transit, and information about the composition and greenhouse gases of the hydrogen carrier lot after transit.

[0095] Figure 2D shows an example of the apparatus configuration for the hydrogen carrier distribution process and the third lineage information obtained therefrom. The apparatus for the distribution process includes, for example, an apparatus 360 that supplies a parent hydrogen carrier lot from upstream, an apparatus 370 that supplies a first child hydrogen carrier lot downstream, and an apparatus 380 that supplies a second child hydrogen carrier lot downstream. The parent hydrogen carrier lot is distributed and supplied from apparatus 360 to apparatuses 370 and 380, generating a first child hydrogen carrier lot and a second hydrogen carrier lot, respectively. Then, apparatuses 370 and 380 supply the child hydrogen carrier lots downstream in the supply chain.

[0096] In the distribution process, the composition of the parent hydrogen carrier lot and the composition of the child hydrogen carrier lot generally remain unchanged. However, from the viewpoint of quality assurance and quality control of the hydrogen carrier lot, devices 370 and 380 may each have analyzers 371 and 381, respectively, to acquire and record the composition and / or purity of the hydrogen carrier lot after distribution. The analyzers 371 and 381 transmit data to the processing unit 100 via a network, and the processing unit 100 can associate this data with third-lineage information and record it in each storage device. Further explanations of other devices such as the flow rate control devices 362, 363, 372, and 382 that overlap with Figure 2B are omitted.

[0097] As described above, the data collected in the distribution process is recorded in the third lineage information 123, as shown in Figure 2D. The third lineage information may include an ID to uniquely identify the distribution process, information about the parent hydrogen carrier lot and information about the child hydrogen carrier lot such as the distribution ratio, information to specifically identify the distribution process such as the distribution date and time and distribution equipment, an ID assigned to identify the generated child hydrogen carrier lot, and information about the composition of the child hydrogen carrier lot and greenhouse gases.

[0098] Thus, in this embodiment, by integrally managing the entire supply chain based on the mixing process (first lineage information), the transit process (second lineage information), and the distribution process (third lineage information), it is possible to stabilize the supply of hydrogen carriers and optimize distribution methods while guaranteeing GHG emissions from circulating hydrogen and hydrogen carriers. As a result, it is possible to further promote the spread of hydrogen supply chains, enable cost reductions and reductions in GHG emissions, and support the formulation of flexible supply plans that respond to demand.

[0099] Next, the software and hardware configurations of the processing unit 100 will be described in detail below. The processing unit 100 is a general-purpose computer and may consist of a single computer or multiple computers on a network N. The software and hardware configurations of the processing unit 100 will be described later.

[0100] C1. Software Configuration of the Processing Unit Below, in order to prevent tampering with lineage information and to ensure the legitimacy of supply chain information management that forms the basis for greenhouse gas calculations, the hydrogen carrier lineage management system of this disclosure will be described based on the premise that the above-mentioned first lineage information, second lineage information, and third lineage information for each hydrogen carrier lot are managed using blockchain technology.

[0101] However, the management of the first, second, and third lineage information of this system is not limited to management using blockchain technology; it may also be managed using a regular database, relational database, etc.

[0102] Figure 3A 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 unit 120. The processor 110 can function as a management unit 111, a transaction generation unit 112, a block generation unit 113, and a trace unit 114 by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 120.

[0103] Furthermore, the storage 120 stores various information necessary for the operation of the processing unit 100. For example, the storage 120 may have first lineage information 121, second lineage information 122, and third lineage information 123.

[0104] The management unit 111 is a central function that centrally manages the parent hydrogen carrier lot, mixing / passage / distribution information, and lineage relationships of child hydrogen carrier lots. Specifically, based on the information obtained from the analyzers and flow control devices of each of the above-mentioned devices 300a to 300g, it records the mixing / passage / distribution process of the hydrogen carrier lot and registers the inheritance relationship from parent hydrogen carrier lot to child hydrogen carrier lot as first lineage information 121, second lineage information 122, and third lineage information 123 (hereinafter collectively referred to simply as "lineage information") in the storage 120.

[0105] For example, in a process where multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots are mixed to produce a child hydrogen carrier lot, the management unit 111 acquires information related to the mixing process, such as the parent identification information and mixing ratio of the multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots, and manages first lineage information by linking it to the child identification information of the new child hydrogen carrier lot (first lineage information 121). This creates lineage data that allows tracking which child hydrogen carrier lot was born from which parent hydrogen carrier lot. Conversely, even when a single parent hydrogen carrier lot is divided and supplied as multiple child hydrogen carrier lots, the management unit 111 associates and records the parent hydrogen carrier lot ID with each child hydrogen carrier lot (third lineage information 123). The management unit 111 constantly updates and maintains this parent-child relationship data, enabling the origin of hydrogen carriers to be traced back.

[0106] Furthermore, the management unit 111 is also responsible for managing and updating identification information acquired at the delivery gate (a checkpoint for measurement and inspection on the delivery route). For example, in the process of a hydrogen carrier lot passing through the delivery gate, the management unit 111 manages second lineage information that associates the identification information of the hydrogen carrier lot before passing through the delivery gate with the identification information of the hydrogen carrier lot after passing through the delivery gate. Specifically, when a container or tank loaded with hydrogen carriers passes through the delivery gate, the installed scanner or sensor reads the identification information corresponding to the lot (e.g., RFID tag ID, QR code (registered trademark), digital token, etc.). Based on this identification information, the management unit 111 verifies the lineage record of the lot and adds the passage record and status. For example, data such as the date and time, location, person in charge, and transport status (environmental information such as temperature and pressure) of passing through the delivery gate are added to the parent-child lineage information (second lineage information 122). This further ensures the identity of the carrier before and after a transaction, even when hydrogen carriers are traded at the delivery gate or the like.

[0107] The management unit 111 updates lot status data and stores it in association with identification information IDs whenever each process occurs at various points in the supply chain. This makes it possible to manage in real time which points each lot passed through on the logistics route and at what time.

[0108] Furthermore, if any new mixing operations or container replacement processes occur for a lot when it passes through the delivery gate, the management unit 111 may also incorporate that information into the lineage and update the identification information. For example, if a quality inspection is performed when the lot passes through the gate and an "authenticated" flag is assigned to the lot ID, the management unit 111 will add that flag to the lot's identification information and reflect it in the blockchain record described later. In this way, the management unit 111 may play a role in accurately managing the origin and history of each lot of hydrogen carrier and constantly updating the lineage information to the latest version.

[0109] The transaction generation unit 112 is a functional unit that creates transactions for recording the genealogy information generated and updated by the management unit 111 onto the blockchain. A "transaction" refers to data recording, updating, and other processing performed on the blockchain.

[0110] Here, genealogical information may be managed entirely as on-chain information directly recorded on the blockchain, or identification information may be managed as on-chain information, with some of the other detailed supplementary information managed as off-chain information. By managing some of the information as off-chain information, costs such as transaction fees related to maintaining the blockchain can be reduced, and processing speed can be improved. This can also improve scalability.

[0111] "On-chain genealogy information" refers to the main genealogy information directly recorded on the blockchain, and may include, for example, lot IDs, parent-child relationships, timestamps, and the IDs of the businesses involved. On the other hand, "off-chain genealogy information" refers to detailed supplementary data, which is information held in an off-chain database. For example, this includes large-volume or highly confidential data such as detailed mixing ratios, quality analysis results, detailed manufacturing conditions for each production lot, and inspection certificates. The transaction generation unit 112 may assemble transaction data using both on-chain and off-chain genealogy information.

[0112] The specific transaction procedure involves first recording any process executed at any point in the supply chain in the database using the management unit 111. The transaction generation unit 112 then retrieves this updated information as the latest genealogy information. Next, it extracts identifiers and relationships (on-chain genealogy information) that should be stored on the blockchain. Simultaneously, it generates a hash value from the off-chain genealogy information. A secure hash function (e.g., SHA-256) is used to generate the hash value, obtaining a unique value calculated from the original data. This hash value is a summary (digest) of the original off-chain genealogy information and will be different if the original data is even slightly altered. The transaction generation unit 112 combines the obtained hash value with the on-chain genealogy information to create a single transaction data structure.

[0113] For example, when creating a transaction for a mixing process that produced a certain child hydrogen carrier lot, the transaction generation unit 112 may include the following information: • Child hydrogen carrier lot ID and its parent hydrogen carrier lot ID group (core information of lineage relationship, on-chain lineage information) • Process metadata such as mixing date and time, location, and person in charge (part of on-chain lineage information) • Hash value of detailed data such as composition analysis results and quantities obtained in the relevant process (hash for off-chain lineage information) • Transaction issuer (sender) information, sequence number, digital signature, etc.

[0114] Transactions constructed in this manner are guaranteed to be reliable through cooperation with an off-chain database. For example, the transaction generation unit 112 may store a portion of the genealogy information in an off-chain database and generate a transaction that includes the hash value of the genealogy information in the blockchain. The off-chain database stores off-chain genealogy information (e.g., detailed numerical values ​​of actual analysis results), and its reference ID and storage location may also be recorded within the transaction or as related data. Since the transaction generation unit 112 writes or references new data to the off-chain database and calculates the corresponding hash, the data on the blockchain (hash value) and the detailed data on the off-chain are linked one-to-one.

[0115] The transaction generation unit 112 not only creates transactions but also performs verification and comparison with past records to ensure the authenticity of the genealogy information. For example, the transaction generation unit 112 may have a hash calculation means for obtaining the hash value of the upstream genealogy information and a function to generate a transaction that includes the hash value and the genealogy information. Specifically, when the transaction generation unit 112 generates a new transaction, it can retrieve the off-chain genealogy information (including the upstream genealogy information) stored at that time, calculate a hash, and compare it with past hash values ​​already recorded on the blockchain to confirm whether the off-chain data has not been tampered with. This ensures the authenticity of the upstream genealogy information and other data, and makes it possible to write the newly generated transaction, including the hash value of the upstream genealogy information and the additional genealogy information, to the blockchain.

[0116] Furthermore, the transaction generation unit 112 also performs a data integrity verification function. For example, when the transaction generation unit 112 generates a new transaction, it retrieves the off-chain genealogy information stored at that time, calculates a hash, and compares it with past hash values ​​already recorded on the blockchain to confirm whether the off-chain genealogy information has not been tampered with. Specifically, when checking whether there have been any changes to the quality certificate data of a certain lot recorded in the past, it recalculates a hash value from that certificate data and verifies that it matches the corresponding hash value on the chain. This verification function means that the transaction generation unit, which is equipped with a hash calculation means to obtain the hash value of upstream genealogy information, can not only create transactions but also perform comparison and verification with past records. Through this process, data integrity between blockchain records and the off-chain database is always ensured.

[0117] Furthermore, the system is configured to generate genealogy information as a transaction based on information obtained from an analytical device equipped with equipment used for mixing parent hydrogen carrier lots or passing hydrogen carrier lots through a delivery gate. Specifically, the management unit 111 aggregates the mixing information and delivery gate passage information obtained by the analytical device and obtains additional genealogy data from an off-chain database as needed. The transaction generation unit 112 then uses the information obtained by the analytical device to perform tamper-detectable cryptographic hashing and creates a transaction based on the genealogy information generated from the information obtained by the analytical device. The generated transaction is recorded on the blockchain by the block generation unit 113 (described later) and used as foundational data for subsequent tracking and proof.

[0118] As a result, when the management unit 111 records new genealogy information, the transaction generation unit 112 creates a transaction based on it, making it possible to more effectively prevent tampering. Furthermore, by considering the hash value of the upstream genealogy information, the genealogy can be managed securely and reliably on the blockchain.

[0119] In summary, the transaction generation unit 112 combines the genealogy information received from the management unit 111 with data from the off-chain database as needed, and uses cryptographic hashing to create a transaction that can be detected as tamper-proof. This transaction is recorded on the blockchain by the block generation unit 113 (described later), and serves as the foundational data for subsequent tracking and proof.

[0120] As described above, this system may distinguish between information recorded on-chain and information managed off-chain from the perspectives of efficiency and security. The distinction between on-chain and off-chain data is illustrated below.

[0121] (On-chain (blockchain) recorded information) ・Lot ID and lineage relationship: A unique identifier for each hydrogen carrier lot, and the IDs of its parent and child hydrogen carrier lots. This allows the basic lineage tree structure to be reproduced on the blockchain. ・Event type and metadata: The type of event, such as mixing, splitting, transport, and inspection, and the date, time, location ID, and participant ID of the event. These are placed on the chain as part of the first lineage information, describing the history of each lot in chronological order. ・Hash value (fingerprint information): A hash value corresponding to the second lineage information (detailed data) mentioned above. This fingerprint information, calculated for each event, remains on the chain and is used to prove the existence of the detailed data and to detect tampering. ・Status flag: Important status associated with the lot, such as the acquisition status of certification A and the pass / fail status of quality inspection. Information that needs to be proven to a third party (e.g., "Green hydrogen certification obtained") may be explicitly recorded on the chain as a flag or code. ・Electronic signature and approval information: Electronic signatures of the parties involved in the transaction, and data related to multi-signature approval (e.g., which signatures were obtained). These records will also remain on the blockchain, serving as evidence that each record was legitimately approved.

[0122] (Information managed off-chain (external database, etc.)) ・Detailed analysis and inspection data: Large and detailed data such as spectral data obtained from compositional analyzers, full quality inspection reports, and detailed time-series data of measured values ​​will be stored off-chain. Only a summary (hash) will be recorded on the blockchain, and the detailed content will only be referenced when necessary. ・Confidential information: Information whose scope of disclosure should be restricted, such as personal information of suppliers and customers, specific geographical coordinates, and proprietary manufacturing know-how, will not be placed on the chain but will be managed in an access-controlled database. For these as well, only hash values ​​and reference links will be stored on the chain, and the data itself will be kept in a protected environment. ・Large-capacity data: Data that is too large to be recorded on the blockchain, such as images, videos (e.g., video recordings of the manufacturing process) and multi-page PDF documents. These will be placed in external storage (e.g., cloud storage or distributed file system), and their addresses and hashes will be recorded on the chain. ・Redundant backup information: Internal system backup data and audit logs may also exist, stored separately from the blockchain. These are primarily stored for operational purposes and may be used for data recovery and cross-checking on the data chain, but they are not normally accessed directly by users as traceability information.

[0123] By dividing roles in this way, the blockchain holds only lightweight and critical assurance information, while the off-chain side handles detailed and updatable information as needed, resulting in a hybrid configuration. The on-chain portion maximizes immutability and transparency, while the off-chain portion ensures flexibility and confidentiality. Since both are linked by hash values ​​and IDs, consistent data integrity is maintained, and users can verify the reliability of the underlying detailed data by looking at the blockchain. Conversely, when viewing detailed data, it can be verified that it is genuinely blockchain-backed data by comparing it with the hash on the blockchain. This complementary mechanism can achieve a balance between integrity and confidentiality in managing the lineage information of hydrogen carriers.

[0124] The block generation unit 113 is a functional unit that collects transactions generated by the transaction generation unit 112 and generates blocks to be recorded on the blockchain. The block generation unit 113 verifies the transactions and adds the transactions deemed legitimate to the blockchain blocks. The types of information to be recorded on the blockchain may include, for example, the following:

[0125] (Genealogy Transaction Information) Records of information (on-chain genealogy information) regarding the parent-child hydrogen carrier lot relationships and processes corresponding to each transaction. This allows for the reconstruction of lot genealogies on the blockchain. (Data Hash Value) A hash value calculated for the off-chain genealogy information. This hash is stored within each transaction and saved on the blockchain, enabling proof of existence and detection of tampering with off-chain genealogy information. (Timestamp) The date and time the transaction was recorded on the blockchain. This guarantees the chronological order of the process. (Digital Signature) A digital signature of the creator or participant of the transaction. Used in the multi-signature approval flow described later, and also serves as authentication of the record itself. (Previous Block Hash) To maintain the blockchain structure, each block contains the hash value of the previous block. This guarantees the chainability of the blocks and links a series of blocks in an immutable manner.

[0126] The block generation unit 113 blocks transactions after going through an approval process within the network. In this process, the system may employ a multi-signature transaction approval flow. This is a method in which multiple parties (e.g., manufacturer, carrier, inspection agency, etc.), rather than a single authorized person, jointly approve the transaction. Specifically, each transaction data is provided with a predetermined number of electronic signature fields, and each party involved electronically signs it with their own private key. For example, in the case of a transaction recording the transport of a hydrogen carrier lot, both the person in charge at the sending company and the person in charge at the receiving company sign it to guarantee that the movement is legitimate and based on the agreement of both parties. Also, in the case of a transaction recording the results of a quality inspection, both the third-party organization that conducted the inspection and the manufacturer can sign it to enhance the credibility of the data.

[0127] Furthermore, the legitimacy and security of recorded transactions can be further enhanced by having audit nodes participate in the network to verify whether or not tampering has occurred and to perform approval and auditing as part of the multi-signature scheme. In addition, if the hydrogen supply chain is placed under the control of a more public organization, electronic signatures from industry associations, standards bodies, government agencies, or equivalent public institutions may be required.

[0128] The block generation unit 113 may use a logic that includes only transactions with all the necessary signatures in a block, and holds unapproved ones. Signature verification is performed based on public-key cryptography, checking whether each signature can be legitimately verified with the public key of the corresponding party. When a transaction is confirmed to have been signed by all predetermined parties (or a set threshold number) using the multi-signature method, that transaction is considered officially approved, and the block generation unit 113 adds it to a new block.

[0129] In accordance with claim 9, blocks that have gone through the multi-signature flow are definitively recorded on the chain. This flow enables distributed verification, preventing errors or tampering by a single fraudster.

[0130] Each generated block is added to the chain, containing all transaction data within that block, the hash of the previous block, and the block hash calculated at the time of block creation (a summary of all data within the block). The blockchain is essentially a distributed ledger shared by multiple nodes, making it virtually impossible to tamper with a block once it has been recorded. Even if someone malicious attempts to rewrite the genealogical information, the hash value of that block will change, resulting in a mismatch with the previous block hash included in subsequent blocks, so the tampering is immediately detected throughout the entire chain.

[0131] Furthermore, because the multi-signature method requires the agreement of all parties involved to approve the transaction, the risk of false information being recorded is also reduced. As a result, the block generation unit 113 can securely and reliably persist transactions, including hydrogen carrier genealogy information, on the blockchain, and construct a tamper-resistant and highly reliable history database.

[0132] The tracing unit 114 is a functional unit that references genealogical information recorded on the blockchain to track and verify the origin, certification history, quality certification data, and GHG emission information of hydrogen carriers. By using the tracing unit 114, users and administrators can obtain a series of blockchain records (transaction history) related to a specific hydrogen carrier lot and verify their authenticity.

[0133] GHG emissions associated with hydrogen carriers can be obtained by summing up the GHG emissions for each emission inventory. The GHG emissions in a given emission inventory may also be calculated by multiplying the activity level by the emission factor. Since the emission factor can change from time to time, the tracing unit 114 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.

[0134] 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 trace unit 114 may refer to a server where such emission factors are recorded and obtain emission factors associated with the emission inventory. Examples of emission inventories are described from D1 onwards.

[0135] The following describes an embodiment in which the trace unit 114 outputs information regarding certification of a hydrogen carrier by referring to records on the blockchain. For example, consider a case where it is desired to prove that "Certification A" has been properly performed for a hydrogen carrier lot shipped as a final product. Let Certification A be something like a quality assurance or green certification issued by a third-party certification body A, which is proof that the lot meets a predetermined standard.

[0136] The tracing unit 114 first searches the blockchain for all transactions related to the lot ID in question. Since each transaction contains records of inheritance from the parent hydrogen carrier lot and inspections, the chain can be traced back from the lot ID to the raw material (hydrogen source) lot and manufacturing lot, allowing for a complete reconstruction of the lineage. If a transaction is found during the tracing process that records the involvement of certification body A (for example, quality inspection or certification label issuance), it should contain information corresponding to certification A (such as a certified flag, certificate hash value, and certification body A's digital signature). The tracing unit 114 extracts the data from that transaction and verifies the signature and certification code from certification body A contained therein to prove that "there is indeed a record on the blockchain that the lot in question has received certification A." This series of reference results can be output in report format and presented to the product's end-users and auditors as proof of certification based on objective records on the blockchain.

[0137] Furthermore, the trace unit 114 is also used to verify the integrity of data stored off-chain. Since each transaction has a hash value of off-chain genealogy information recorded, the trace unit 114 can retrieve the corresponding off-chain genealogy information as needed and perform verification by recalculating its hash. For example, if a detailed composition analysis report of a certain lot is stored in an off-chain database and its hash is recorded on the blockchain, the trace unit 114 performs integrity verification in the following steps: - Find the transaction for the relevant hydrogen carrier lot on the blockchain and obtain the hash value of the recorded analysis report data. - Retrieve the actual analysis report data from the off-chain database and calculate the hash value using the same hash function. - Compare the calculated hash value with the hash value stored on the blockchain.

[0138] If the two match through this comparison, it is guaranteed that the analysis report on the off-chain database (one of the offline genealogical information) has not been tampered with since it was recorded. If they do not match, it is possible that the data was changed at some point, so a warning is immediately issued or the data is treated as unreliable. The trace unit 114 may be equipped with a consistency verification function using such hash values ​​and may be configured to verify the correspondence between information recorded on the blockchain and data in the real world.

[0139] The trace unit 114 is operated via a user interface on the terminal 200, and by entering a specific lot ID, it is possible to visualize the lineage information and a list of processes in the supply chain. This ensures transparency throughout the entire supply chain, and in the event of a problem (for example, a quality defect or contamination incident), it is possible to quickly trace back and identify the affected lot. As described above, the trace unit 114 is a core function that uses records on the blockchain to prove the origin of hydrogen carriers and verify data integrity, providing highly reliable traceability.

[0140] Furthermore, the lineage information and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission information acquired and generated in this disclosure are not merely for history management or presentation of calculation results, but are technical information used for monitoring and verifying the appropriateness of the physical mixing operation in the mixing process, and for preventing the distribution of improper lots. Specifically, the flow rate control device (e.g., 312, 322) controls or measures the supply amount and / or mixing ratio of the parent hydrogen carrier lot, and the analyzer (e.g., 331) acquires the composition and / or purity of the child hydrogen carrier lot after mixing. The processing device 100 (management unit 111) records this flow rate data and composition data as information related to mixing, associating it with the first lineage information, and may further calculate a weighted average of GHG emissions based on the input amount of the mixed parent hydrogen carrier lot, etc., and record it on the blockchain together with the child identification information and mixing history. This allows for the detection of improper mixing when the discrepancy between the estimated and measured compositions exceeds an acceptable range, and enables the physical distribution of unauthenticated or inconsistent lots recorded on the blockchain to be rejected in the next process, thereby inhibiting physical distribution through the operation of the supply gate. Therefore, this disclosure is a technology that combines monitoring and assurance of the mixing process based on measurement data with distribution control based on tamper-proof records, and goes beyond abstract information processing.

[0141] For example, in a mixing step in which parent hydrogen carrier lot A and parent hydrogen carrier lot B are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio, the control unit 111 may calculate the actual mixing ratio based on measurement data regarding the supply amount of each parent hydrogen carrier lot obtained from a flow rate control device (e.g., 312, 322). The control unit 111 may compare the calculated mixing ratio with a predetermined mixing ratio set in advance, and if the difference between the two exceeds a predetermined tolerance range, it may determine that the mixing step is not being performed according to predetermined conditions.

[0142] Furthermore, the control unit 111 may acquire information regarding the input amount and composition of the parent hydrogen carrier lot and estimate the composition of the child hydrogen carrier lot based on this information. The control unit 111 may compare the estimated composition with the measured composition or purity obtained by an analytical device (e.g., 331), and if the difference between the estimated composition and the measured composition exceeds a predetermined tolerance range, it may determine that an abnormality or improper mixing has occurred in the mixing process.

[0143] If an improper mix is ​​detected in this manner, the management unit 111 may add information indicating unauthenticated or inconsistent to the genealogy information associated with the child hydrogen carrier lot, and record it in a tamper-proof manner on the blockchain along with the child identification information, the mix history, and the weighted average value of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calculated based on the mix.

[0144] The equipment or system that receives the sub-hydrogen carrier lot in the next process may refer to the records on the blockchain and make decisions regarding the handling of unauthenticated or inconsistent lots, such as not accepting them or routing them to a different processing system.

[0145] Furthermore, if the weighted average value of GHG emissions calculated based on the mixing process does not meet the predetermined environmental standards set for the sub-hydrogen carrier lot, the management unit 111 may identify the lot as a lot that does not meet environmental performance standards. The management unit 111 may record the identification result on the blockchain. The handling of such identified lots may be restricted, such as being excluded from shipment to specific customers during the distribution stage.

[0146] As described above, according to this disclosure, the management unit 111 monitors the state of the mixing process based on measurement data obtained from the flow rate control device and the analyzer, confirms its appropriateness, and manages handling at the distribution stage based on tamper-proof records, thereby realizing technical processing that affects both the physical mixing process and the distribution process.

[0147] C2. Referring to Hardware Configuration Diagram 3B 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.

[0148] As shown in Figure 3D, the processing unit 100 may have a processor 110, storage 120, input / output interface 130, communication interface 140, and memory 150 connected by a bus 160.

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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 computer-readable non-temporary storage 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.

[0151] 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).

[0152] 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 wired or wirelessly. 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.

[0153] 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.

[0154] D. Method Figure 4A is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing method of the present disclosure. The following explanation uses the data management flow in a mixed process as an example. Note that the data management flow in the transit process and the data management flow in the distribution process can be managed using substantially the same flow, except that the analytical instruments used differ depending on the process. Therefore, the data management flow in the mixed process may be reinterpreted and applied accordingly.

[0155] (Data management flow in the mixing process) In step S11, before starting the mixing, the control unit 111 may obtain identification information of the parent hydrogen carrier lot to be mixed and obtain prior information corresponding to the identification information of the parent hydrogen carrier lot from the database (e.g., composition, supplier, quality assessment, GHG emissions, certification information, etc.). Furthermore, the control unit 111 may obtain information about the devices 310, 320, and 330 and record it in the first lineage information 121.

[0156] In step S12, the control unit 111 acquires the composition and physical and chemical properties of the parent hydrogen carrier lot before mixing using the analyzers 311 and 321. For example, a composition analyzer measures the hydrogen content and impurity concentration of the parent hydrogen carrier lot, and a weight sensor and flow sensor record the input amount. Temperature and pressure sensors may also acquire real-time environmental data. The control unit 111 stores the measurement results obtained in this way in the first lineage information 121 and manages them as pre-mixing characteristic information. If an abnormal value is detected, the control unit 111 can issue an alert and temporarily suspend mixing.

[0157] In step S121, the control unit 111 may verify the consistency between the recorded information and the measured information. Specifically, the control unit 111 may obtain information about the parent hydrogen carrier lot (for example, composition) from the analyzers 311 and 321 of the devices 310 and 320. In this case, the control unit 111 may compare the recorded composition information of the parent hydrogen carrier lot obtained from the database by ID with the measured composition information of the parent hydrogen carrier lot obtained from the analyzers 311 and 321 to confirm their consistency.

[0158] If the discrepancy exceeds the range of acceptable error, such as measurement error, in step S122, the transaction generation unit 112 may generate a transaction to update the information regarding the recorded composition of the parent hydrogen carrier lot obtained from the database with the measured composition of the parent hydrogen carrier lot obtained from the analyzers 311 and 321 due to the discrepancy. Furthermore, the measured composition of the parent hydrogen carrier lot obtained from the analyzers 311 and 321 may be prioritized for recording in the first lineage information 121.

[0159] In this way, the accumulated transactions regarding discrepancies may be used to assess the reliability of the hydrogen supply chain. Specifically, these discrepancy data can be statistically analyzed and used to identify locations in the supply chain—sources, transportation routes, or mixing facilities—where compositional variations are likely to occur. Furthermore, by analyzing patterns of recurring discrepancies, it can also serve as an indicator of whether calibration of the measurement accuracy of devices 311 and 321 is necessary, or whether the reliability of a particular source, transportation route, or mixing facility is deteriorating, or whether the supply lot may lack consistency.

[0160] Furthermore, this inconsistent data contributes to optimizing quality control across the entire supply chain. For example, quality assurance measures can be taken, such as applying stricter inspection protocols to suppliers with frequent outliers, or introducing additional verification steps to evaluate the impact of specific mixing conditions. This improves the uniformity of hydrogen carrier quality and enhances traceability.

[0161] Furthermore, by utilizing blockchain technology, accumulated discrepancy data will be managed in a highly transparent manner and accessible to stakeholders in real time. This system will immediately notify relevant suppliers and transporters when a discrepancy is detected, enabling a rapid response. This will minimize the risk of problematic batches entering the market and improve the stability and reliability of hydrogen supply.

[0162] In step S13, a process is executed to generate child hydrogen carrier lots by mixing multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots, and the management unit 111 associates the parent identification information of the parent hydrogen carrier lots with the mixing conditions (mixing information such as mixing ratio and mixing date and time) and records it in the first lineage information 121.

[0163] Furthermore, once mixing is complete, the control unit 111 assigns child identification information to the newly generated mixed hydrogen carrier (child hydrogen carrier lot) and records it in the first lineage information 121. In addition, the control unit 111 may obtain the composition of the child hydrogen carrier lot after mixing from the analyzer 331 and record it in the first lineage information 121.

[0164] In step S131, the control unit 111 may verify the consistency between the estimated composition information of the child hydrogen carrier lot, which is estimated from the information on the parent hydrogen carrier lot and the information on the mixing conditions, and the actual composition information of the child hydrogen carrier lot obtained from the analyzer 331.

[0165] If the discrepancy exceeds the range of acceptable error, such as measurement error, the management unit 111 may record information regarding the discrepancy in the first genealogy information 121 in step S132. This information regarding the discrepancy may be included in the transaction created in step S4, and the transaction may be treated as a type of transaction related to the discrepancy.

[0166] In step S14, the transaction generation unit 112 organizes the data from the mixing process and generates a transaction. At this time, the transaction generation unit 112 may store information (ID, composition, input amount) of each mixed parent hydrogen carrier lot in an off-chain database and record its hash value and key data on-chain. The transaction may include the mixing lot ID, parent hydrogen carrier lot ID, weighted average value of GHG emissions, etc., and may be recorded on the blockchain. This makes it possible to consistently track GHG emissions throughout the supply chain.

[0167] In step S15, the block generation unit 113 blocks one or more transaction data from the mixing process and records them on the blockchain. The information recorded includes the parent hydrogen carrier lot ID, child hydrogen carrier lot ID, mixing ratio, quality evaluation, hash value, etc. This clarifies which parent hydrogen carrier lot contributed to which child hydrogen carrier lot and how, ensuring transparency. The block may also record the mixing history, information on the lots involved, and GHG emission data.

[0168] Furthermore, a multi-signature transaction approval flow may be adopted in this case. For example, the block generation unit 113 may include only transactions that have been digitally signed by the audit node into the block. In this case, transactions that have not been digitally signed by the audit node will not be included in the block and will not be recorded as information on the blockchain.

[0169] In other words, there is no child identification information for the child hydrogen carrier lots created by mixing on the blockchain. In this state, if only the distribution of the child hydrogen carrier lots proceeds to the next point, it becomes possible to refuse to accept the hydrogen carrier lot that does not exist on the blockchain at that point. This reduces the risk of unauthenticated hydrogen carrier lots, i.e., those without identification information, circulating on the blockchain, and ensures transparency in the supply chain.

[0170] On the other hand, for transactions that have been digitally signed by an audit node, a quality flag may be assigned to indicate that the child hydrogen carrier lot meets the quality standards. The results of such an authentication process may be recorded with a digital signature and stored in a verifiable format for relevant parties (production managers and auditing bodies).

[0171] (Trace Processing Flow) Next, the process of tracing the information recorded on the blockchain will be explained below with reference to Figure 4B.

[0172] In step S21, the tracing unit 114 receives requests from stakeholders in the supply chain (plant managers, transporters, regulatory authorities, etc.) via the terminal 200. These requests may include obtaining lineage information for a specific hydrogen carrier lot, verifying quality certification, checking the history of GHG emissions, and confirming the source of supply.

[0173] Upon receiving a request, in step S22, the trace unit 114 searches for the relevant transaction recorded on the blockchain, for example, using the specified hydrogen carrier lot ID as the key.

[0174] In blockchain searching, the trace unit 114 may not only retrieve transaction data associated with the lot ID, but also verify consistency by comparing it with the hash value of detailed data stored in an off-chain database. Furthermore, by recursively searching genealogical information and retrieving the parent lot and related transactions of the lot in question, the mixing history and distribution route can be traced back.

[0175] In step S23, after acquiring the data, the trace unit 114 may verify the authenticity of the information. Specifically, it checks the digital signature on the blockchain to verify that the transaction is legitimate. It also compares the hash value of the off-chain data with the record on the blockchain to confirm that the data has not been tampered with. Furthermore, it checks the consistency of the time series and analyzes whether the mixing history and transport history are recorded correctly. If an unauthenticated transaction is detected, a notification is sent to the relevant parties so that appropriate action can be taken.

[0176] The verified data may be integrated by the tracing unit 114 and converted into a highly readable data structure. For example, a lineage tree for each lot may be constructed to visualize which parent hydrogen carrier lot is influencing which child hydrogen carrier lot. The quality certification information may be analyzed for any anomalies compared with past history, and for GHG emissions, the cumulative emissions from the parent lot may be calculated to show the overall picture of the carbon footprint.

[0177] In step S23, the trace unit 114 finally provides the acquired, verified, and integrated information to the requester. Methods of provision include visualization of lineage information on a dashboard, issuance of digital certificates of quality certification, integration with other business systems via API responses, and alert notifications if uncertified lots are in circulation. This enables stakeholders in the supply chain to utilize the data recorded on the blockchain to properly implement quality assurance of hydrogen carriers and GHG emission management.

[0178] In the above series of steps, the GHG emissions associated with the hydrogen carrier before mixing, i.e., the CFP up to immediately before the mixing process, may be calculated for each process from the hydrogen production process up to immediately before the mixing process, and recorded in the hydrogen carrier DB121 as a summed value.

[0179] 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 / TS19870 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 chlorine-alkali by-product hydrogen, as well as hydrogen carrier conversion processes such as hydrogen liquefaction, ammonia synthesis, and LOHC hydrogenation (Annex A to J).

[0180] D1. GHG Emissions in Hydrogen Production Processes 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

[0181] D11. 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.

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] D12. 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 GHG 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

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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:

[0187] For the allocation of steam methane reforming, the ISO 19870:2023 Annex B may be used.

[0188] D13. Electrolysis of Saltwater Electrolysis of saltwater is a process that produces chlorine, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, and hydrogen as by-products by electrolyzing saline solution (NaCl solution) or potassium chloride (KCl). 2NaCl + 2H₂O → Cl₂ + H₂ + 2NaOH

[0189] 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.

[0190] Information regarding major emission sources in brine electrolysis includes, for example, the following:

[0191] For the allocation of the brine electrolysis method, the ISO 19870:2023 Annex C may be followed.

[0192] 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.

[0193] 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.

[0194] D14. 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.

[0195] 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.

[0196] 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:

[0197] For the allocation of the brine electrolysis method, the ISO 19870:2023 Annex D may be used.

[0198] 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.

[0199] 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.

[0200] D15. 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 proceed with reaction E2. C (carbon in coal) + H2O (steam) + heat → CO (carbon monoxide) + H2 (hydrogen) (E1) C + O2 (oxygen) → CO2 (carbon dioxide) + heat (E2)

[0201] 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.

[0202] In coal gasification with CCS, the primary 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 regarding the main emission sources in hydrogen production methods using coal gasification includes, for example, the following:

[0203] The allocation of hydrogen production methods using coal gasification may be in accordance with ISO 19870:2023 Annex E.

[0204] 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:

[0205] 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).

[0206] 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 possible. Waste heat may also be generated during the process of consuming electricity.

[0207] 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).

[0208] D16. 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 netfully.

[0209] 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.

[0210] 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.

[0211] 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.

[0212] 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:

[0213] 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.

[0214] D17. 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.

[0215] 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.

[0216] 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:

[0217] The hydrogen production method 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. Regarding the allocation of hydrogen in the natural gas production method, ISO 19870:2023 Annex G may be followed.

[0218] D2. GHG emissions associated with adjustment or conversion Below, we will explain the GHG emissions associated with adjusting or converting hydrogen to a hydrogen carrier and the GHG emissions associated with adjusting or converting a hydrogen carrier to hydrogen. In this disclosure, the hydrogen carrier may be ammonia, liquid hydrogen, or LOHC. GHG emissions in the process of adjusting hydrogen to liquid hydrogen or the process of converting hydrogen to ammonia LOHC may be obtained based on the following information: - Amount of hydrogen carrier after conversion - Energy used in the conversion process - Carbon emission intensity of the supplied energy

[0219] D21. GHG emissions associated with conversion to ammonia: The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2Carrier) associated with the conversion of hydrogen to ammonia may be obtained based on information regarding the ammonia produced and information regarding the energy used.

[0220] Ammonia is typically produced by the Haber-Bosch process, which involves reacting nitrogen and hydrogen in a catalytic bed under high temperature and pressure. Information regarding the main emission sources in ammonia production using hydrogen as a raw material includes, for example, the following:

[0221] Information regarding major emission sources related to ammonia decomposition includes, for example, the following:

[0222] For example, the allocation when producing ammonia from hydrogen may follow the following:

[0223] Regarding the allocation when ammonia is decomposed to produce hydrogen, the following may be used as an example:

[0224] D22. GHG emissions associated with conversion to liquid hydrogen: The GHG emissions (kgCO2e / kgH2Carrier) associated with the conversion of hydrogen to liquid hydrogen may be obtained based on information regarding the liquid hydrogen produced and information regarding the energy used.

[0225] Information regarding major emission sources in liquid hydrogen production includes, for example, the following:

[0226] Examples of situations in which by-products may be generated during the production of liquid nitrogen include the following:

[0227] D23. GHG emissions associated with conversion to LOHC: 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.

[0228] Information regarding the main emission sources in the hydrogenation of LOHCs includes, for example, the following:

[0229] Examples of information regarding major emission sources related to the dehydrogenation of LOHCs include the following:

[0230] Regarding the allocation related to the hydrogenation of LOHCs, for example, the following may be followed:

[0231] Regarding the allocation related to the dehydrogenation of LOHC, for example, the following may be followed.

[0232] D3. GHG emissions associated with the transport of hydrogen carriers The GHG emissions associated with the transport of hydrogen carriers may be obtained based on information regarding the energy used for transport, and the GHG emissions related to the transport of hydrogen 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

[0233] E. Modifications The genealogy management system disclosed herein may have the following modifications, for example.

[0234] Multi-stage genealogy tracking: This system is designed to withstand multiple stages of conversion and mixing processes from raw materials to the final product. For example, even in complex processes such as synthesizing hydrogen from renewable energy into ammonia, mixing and transporting multiple batches, and finally extracting hydrogen again, it is possible to issue a lot ID for each intermediate product and track them. By recording parent-child relationships at each stage, it is ultimately possible to trace back and confirm "which renewable energy source the hydrogen came from," which can be applied to the verification of green hydrogen credits, etc.

[0235] Lot ID System: A unique ID may be required to identify hydrogen carrier lots. Furthermore, this system may employ a system combining timestamps, manufacturing site codes, and sequence numbers to avoid duplication and conflicts in lot ID generation. Each ID may also have a corresponding barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or RFID tag affixed to the physical transport container. This facilitates on-site reading.

[0236] Integration with IoT devices: Sensors and analyzers included in the analysis device are connected to the network as IoT devices, and data is automatically collected and transmitted. Time synchronization is important for sensor data, and a mechanism may be provided to synchronize the clocks of all devices using a GPS clock or network time server. This clarifies which time transaction on the blockchain each data point corresponds to, ensuring the consistency of the sequence of events. IoT devices can also attach digital signatures to measurement data before transmission. For example, if the composition analyzer itself signs the measurement results with a private key built into the device and transmits that signature along with the data to the management unit 111, the risk of data tampering can be further reduced. If the signature is also recorded on the blockchain, a third party can later verify the authenticity of the data and confirm that the data was indeed output from a reliable measuring instrument.

[0237] Integration with other systems: This lineage management system can integrate with other logistics and inventory management systems. For example, it can receive lot information scheduled for shipment from an ERP system and pre-register it on the blockchain. Conversely, the traceability information provided by this system can be used to generate QR codes (registered trademarks) to be attached to final products, which consumers can scan to display the product's history. Furthermore, an interface can be provided for regulatory authorities, allowing for on-demand submission of necessary audit data.

[0238] The functional components and their operations, as well as related technical aspects, of the hydrogen carrier lineage management system of the present invention have been described in detail above. This system ensures high traceability and data integrity in the hydrogen carrier mixing and distribution process, contributing to information sharing and reliability among stakeholders. By immutably managing the origin and quality history of each hydrogen carrier lot on the blockchain, it will also contribute to future audits and gaining market trust. In addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, various modifications based on the spirit of the present invention are possible.

[0239] F. Notes [1] A lineage management system comprising: a management unit that manages first lineage information which associates parent identification information and mixing information of a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots with child identification information of a child hydrogen carrier lot, in a process of mixing a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots to produce a child hydrogen carrier lot. [2] The lineage management system according to [1], wherein in a process of a hydrogen carrier lot passing through a delivery gate, the management unit manages second lineage information which associates identification information of the hydrogen carrier lot before passing through the delivery gate with identification information of the hydrogen carrier lot after passing through the delivery gate. [3] The lineage management system according to [1] or [2], wherein the parent identification information of the parent hydrogen carrier lot is associated with and stored information such as the place of origin, classification or certification of the source hydrogen, composition, greenhouse gas emissions, or an electronic signature or timestamp attached when the parent identification information was generated. [4] The lineage management system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the information relating to the mixing includes the mixing ratio, the date and time of mixing, the mixing equipment, the information relating to the mixing location, and an electronic signature or timestamp attached at the time of mixing. [5] The lineage management system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lot is associated with and recorded information relating to the composition, quantity, greenhouse gas emissions, or an electronic signature or timestamp attached at the time of generation of the parent identification information. [6] The lineage management system according to any one of [1] to [5], comprising: a transaction generation unit that generates the first lineage information as a transaction; and a block generation unit that verifies the transaction and adds the transaction deemed valid to a block in the blockchain. [7] The lineage management system according to [6], wherein the transaction generation unit stores a part of the first lineage information in an off-chain database, generates a transaction that includes the hash value of the first lineage information in the blockchain, and has a trace unit that verifies the integrity of the first lineage information stored in the off-chain database using the hash value.[8] The genealogy management system according to [7], wherein the block generation unit approves transactions using a multi-signature method in a network including audit nodes that verify whether or not tampering has occurred. [9] The genealogy management system according to any one of [6] to [8], wherein the first genealogy information includes authentication regarding the greenhouse gas emissions of hydrogen used to generate the hydrogen carrier, the transaction generation unit generates a transaction including the authentication, and the trace unit further has a trace unit that outputs information regarding proof of authentication associated with the hydrogen carrier by referring to records on the blockchain.

[10] The genealogy management system according to any one of [1] to [9], comprising hash calculation means for obtaining a hash value of upstream genealogy information, and a transaction generation unit that generates a transaction including the hash value of the upstream genealogy information and the first genealogy information.

[11] The genealogy management system according to any one of [1] to

[10] , comprising an analytical device provided in the device used for mixing the parent hydrogen carrier lot, the management unit generates the first genealogy information based on information obtained from the analytical device.

[12] A lineage management system according to any one of [2] to

[11] , comprising an analytical device provided in a device used for passing the hydrogen carrier lot through the delivery gate, wherein the management unit generates the second lineage information based on information obtained from the analytical device.

[13] A lineage management system according to any one of [6] to

[11] , comprising an analytical device provided in a device used for mixing the parent hydrogen carrier lot, wherein the management unit generates the first lineage information as the transaction based on information obtained from the analytical device.

[14] A lineage management system according to any one of [2] to

[11] , comprising an analytical device provided in a device used for passing the hydrogen carrier lot through the delivery gate, wherein the management unit generates the second lineage information as the transaction based on information obtained from the analytical device.

[15] A lineage management method comprising the step of managing first lineage information which associates parent identification information and mixing information of a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots with child identification information of a child hydrogen carrier lot, in a process in which a lineage management system mixes a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot.

[16] A program which causes a lineage management system to manage first lineage information which associates parent identification information and mixing information of a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots with child identification information of a child hydrogen carrier lot, in a process in which a plurality of parent hydrogen carrier lots mixes to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot.

[0240] 1...System, 100...Processing device, 110...Processor, 111...Management unit, 112...Transaction generation unit, 113...Block generation unit, 114...Trace unit, 120...Storage, 121...First lineage information, 122...Second lineage information, 123...Third lineage information, 130...Input / output interface, 140...Communication interface, 150...Memory, 160...Bus, 200...Customer terminal, 300...Device, 300a...Device, 300b...Device, 300c...Device, 300d...Device, 300e...Device, 300f...Device, 300g...Device, 310...Device, 311...Analyzer, 312...Flow Quantity control device, 320...device, 321...analytical device, 322...flow control device, 330...device, 331...analytical device, 332...flow control device, 333...analytical device, 340...device, 341...analytical device, 342...flow control device, 343...device, 344...device, 345...device, 346...device, 347...device, 348...device, 349...device, 350...device, 351...analytical device, 352...flow control device, 360...device, 362...flow control device, 363...flow control device, 370...device, 371...analytical device, 372...flow control device, 380...device, 381...analytical device, 382...flow control device.

Claims

1. A genealogy management system comprising: a management unit that manages first genealogy information which associates parent identification information and mixing information of the multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots with child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lots in a process of mixing multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots to produce a child hydrogen carrier lot; and a management unit that manages first genealogy information which associates parent identification information and mixing information of the multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots with child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lot.

2. In the process of a hydrogen carrier lot passing through a delivery gate, the management unit manages a second lineage information which associates the identification information of the hydrogen carrier lot before it passes through the delivery gate with the identification information of the hydrogen carrier lot after it passes through the delivery gate, the lineage management system according to claim 1.

3. The genealogy management system according to claim 1, wherein the parent identification information of the parent hydrogen carrier lot is associated with and stored information such as the place of origin, classification or certification of the source hydrogen, composition, greenhouse gas emissions, or an electronic signature or timestamp attached when the parent identification information was generated.

4. The genealogy management system according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the mixing includes the mixing ratio, the date and time of mixing, the mixing equipment, the location of mixing, and an electronic signature or timestamp applied at the time of mixing.

5. The genealogy management system according to claim 1, wherein the child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lot is associated with and recorded information regarding its composition, quantity, greenhouse gas emissions, or an electronic signature or timestamp attached when the parent identification information was generated.

6. The genealogy management system according to claim 1, comprising: a transaction generation unit that generates the first genealogy information as a transaction; and a block generation unit that verifies the transaction and adds the transaction deemed legitimate to a block on the blockchain.

7. The genealogy management system according to claim 6, wherein the transaction generation unit stores a portion of the first genealogy information in an off-chain database, generates a transaction in the blockchain that includes the hash value of the first genealogy information, and has a trace unit that verifies the integrity of the first genealogy information stored in the off-chain database using the hash value.

8. The genealogy management system according to claim 7, wherein the block generation unit approves transactions using a multi-signature method in a network including audit nodes that verify whether or not tampering has occurred.

9. The genealogy management system according to claim 6, wherein the first genealogy information includes certification of greenhouse gas emissions of hydrogen used to generate a hydrogen carrier, the transaction generation unit generates a transaction including the certification, and the trace unit outputs information regarding proof of certification associated with the hydrogen carrier by referring to a record on the blockchain.

10. The genealogy management system according to claim 1, comprising: a hash calculation means for obtaining a hash value of upstream genealogy information; and a transaction generation unit for generating a transaction that includes the hash value of the upstream genealogy information and the first genealogy information.

11. The genealogy management system according to claim 1, comprising an analytical device provided in the apparatus used for mixing the parent hydrogen carrier lot, wherein the control unit generates the first genealogy information based on information obtained from the analytical device.

12. The genealogy management system according to claim 2, comprising an analytical device provided in the device used for passing the hydrogen carrier lot through the delivery gate, wherein the control unit generates the second genealogy information based on information obtained from the analytical device.

13. The genealogy management system according to claim 1, comprising an analytical device used for mixing the parent hydrogen carrier lot, and a transaction generation unit that generates the first genealogy information as a transaction based on information obtained from the analytical device.

14. The genealogy management system according to claim 2, comprising an analytical device used for passing the hydrogen carrier lot through the delivery gate, and a transaction generation unit that generates the second genealogy information as a transaction based on information obtained from the analytical device.

15. A genealogy management method comprising the step of managing first genealogy information, which associates parent identification information and mixing information of multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots, and child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lot, in a process in which a genealogy management system mixes multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot.

16. A program that causes a genealogy management system to execute a step of managing first genealogy information, which associates parent identification information and mixing information of multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots, and child identification information of the child hydrogen carrier lot, in a process of mixing multiple parent hydrogen carrier lots to generate a child hydrogen carrier lot.

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