Nippon Oil in position to ride wave to hydrogen future

Nippon Oil Corp., Japan’s largest oil distributor, has set a goal of developing a cylinder by fiscal 2015 that can transport pressurized hydrogen in quantities five times greater than currently possible. Nippon Oil is developing a container insulated with resin-impregnated carbon fibers, making it capable of safely holding hydrogen gas at pressures higher than 40 megapascals. With its increased wall strength and hydrogen-storage lining, this new container will be able to carry five times more hydrogen than today’s cast-iron cylinders. Though the jury is still out on future applications of today’s research, Nippon Oil is making a big bet on hydrogen, in anticipation of the day when demand for gasoline declines and oil refiners look for new sources of revenue. (December 1, 2008)