135-MPa testing equipment has been added to hydrogen research facilities at the Iwatani R&D (research and development) centre. The aim of this addition is to reduce the construction costs of hydrogen filling stations.

Iwatani has revamped its hydrogen research facilities in the Iwatani R&D centre located in Amagasaki, in Hyogo Prefecture. The company aims to build a system for the durability testing of equipment at the extremely high pressure of 135 MPa.

The system will be used to help reduce infrastructure construction costs and strengthen maintenance technology for hydrogen filling stations. The cost of the upgraded facilities has not been announced. 

Since the opening in 2013, the Iwatani R&D has undertaken hydrogen-related R&D with ultra high-pressure hydrogen gas research facilities for testing at 85 MPa and liquefied hydrogen research with cryogenic facilities for testing at -253°C.

Revisions in regulations set the current maximum supply pressure for hydrogen filling station at 82 Ma. Under these circumstances, Iwatani, which is also an engineering company, feels it is important to not rely only on manufacturers to develop the main equipment for hydrogen filling stations.