Technology – JBEC | 株式会社JBEC

After 18 years of R&D, we developed our own process of biomass conversion and succeeded in producing hydrogen gas from biomass resources.

Furthermore, we are currently working on the development of a unit type module (AGM: container accommodation type) that can be mass-produced, in addition to a conventional large plant type (AGP), whose construction cost is high. We have received orders for prototype units respectively in the United States and Japan (as of March 31, 2020).

Meanwhile, in cooperation with the Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, we have been working on the development of a hydrogen storage alloy system that can store, transport and use hydrogen produced by AGP and AGM’s ancillary facilities (gas purification equipment, 2-step PSA, etc.) and BLUE process at normal temperature and low pressure.

Features of BLUE Process

The most significant feature of JBEC’s technology is the use of alumina balls as a heating carrier.

Through our latest BLUE process IV, in the pyrolyzer of reducing atmosphere, many alumina balls (heat carriers) heated to high temperatures contact biomass materials such as woodchips and sewage sludge, generating the pyrolyzed gas which contains hydrogen, CO, CO2, and methane. Moreover, in the reforming zone, the pyrolyzed gas contacts steam under higher temperatures by partial oxidation, producing hydrogen-rich gas via the steam reforming reaction.

By mixing heat carriers and raw materials, it does not cause uneven heat in the reaction furnace. This suppresses tar generation, which is the major factor in equipment problems such as blockages in conventional gasification plants.

To achieve superior business feasibility, we succeeded in using waste materials such as waste plastics as well as conventional biomass resources as feedstock as part of responding to diversification of feedstock.