Sinopec opens first methanol-to-hydrogen refuelling stations

Chinese oil firm claims a 20pc cost saving compared to production, storage and transportation of pure hydrogen

Sinopec has opened two of China’s first methanol-to-hydrogen integrated refuelling stations in the city of Dalian. The service station will produce 1,000kg/d of hydrogen at extremely high purity from methanol, which the Chinese oil company notes has a much lower storage and transportation cost compared with pure hydrogen. The methanol-to-hydrogen refuelling stations have a 20pc lower total cost of hydrogen production, storage and transportation than conventional hydrogen refuelling stations, Sinopec claims. The firm has a further six methanol-to-hydrogen refuelling stations under construction. Sinopec operated more than 70 hydrogen refuelling stations as of end-2021, serving more than 2,000