Ceramic technologies company NGK Insulators and industrial business multinational Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will jointly develop a hydrogen purification system that uses membrane separation to purify hydrogen from a hydrogen-nitrogen mixture produced during ammonia cracking processes.

Ammonia is gaining recognition as a safe and efficient hydrogen carrier, facilitating large-scale hydrogen transport and storage. The companies anticipate that the purification system will contribute to the establishment of a hydrogen and ammonia supply chain, enabling high-volume transport.

MHI will leverage its global expertise in delivering ammonia and other chemical plants as well as handling ammonia and hydrogen technologies. NGK will contribute its significant knowledge of sub-nano ceramic membrane technology and unique film deposition technology – developed for the fields of chemical processes and water purification – which are known for their high separation accuracy and durability.

MHI and NGK are committed to driving the development forward and aim to achieve early commercialisation for the system.

Further, MHI is committed to its Energy Transition growth strategy – which aims for energy supply decarbonisation and carbon neutrality by 2040 – and sees this project as a key step toward decarbonisation.

Similarly, NGK Group has formulated a ‘Carbon Neutrality Strategic Roadmap’ comprising four strategies to contribute to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society. The group is promoting the development and provision of hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage-related technologies and products.

“NGK will contribute to society through our business by realising what has previously been difficult with ceramic technology at the core, and by working to the point where the key devices are implemented in society,” NGK concludes.