RIX Industries Launches Industry-First Mobile Hydrogen Generation System for Rail

BENICIA, CALIF. / AGILITYPR.NEWS / September 22, 2021 / Industry-first mobile hydrogen generation systems simplify retrofit of diesel tanks, enabling 5x greater storage capacity over compressed gas systems at roughly one-third the cost

RIX Industries, a leading developer of energy technologies, today announced availability of its M2H2 Series Methanol-to-Hydrogen generation power systems to the rail sector. With this technology, rail operators can streamline and accelerate their efforts to abandon environmentally-damaging, diesel-based propulsion systems in favor of clean and green power solutions.

“While hydrogen power itself is not new, the ability to generate pure hydrogen onboard and on demand is new and paving the way for a quicker and more cost-effective departure from diesel power,” said Bryan Reid, Chief Sales Officer, RIX Industries. “Our highly efficient methanol-to-hydrogen power systems provide a readily available path to cleaner fuel in railway applications. It’s an especially critical advancement in the face of looming decarbonization regulations and mandates meant to redefine the transportation industry’s role in combatting pollution.”

Eliminating the heavy and costly footprint associated with cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, the RIX M2H2 Series operates in contrast to high-pressure compressed hydrogen solutions. Using methanol produced from natural gas, the RIX M2H2 can achieve 30 to 50% less CO2 emissions than diesel, whereas the system can meet net zero emission when using renewable methanol. 

The RIX system taps into the convenience of methanol as a hydrogen carrier – incorporating proven methanol fuel reforming technology to generate hydrogen safely, efficiently, and as needed. Licensed from Element 1 (dba e1), developer of clean energy products, processes, and technologies, this system is supported by RIX’s well-established manufacturing operations and integration services. As self-contained containerized power systems, the M2H2 Series blends methanol-to-hydrogen generation technology and PEM fuel cells to provide a high efficiency, minimal vibration/noise, and low emission solution for power critical applications including train propulsion, auxiliary power systems, and container car power.

The RIX M2H2 power system is scalable, supporting 30 kW to 120 kW fuel cell solutions, which can be combined to support MW applications as well. Deployment does not require major retrofit of rail infrastructure, and existing diesel tanks may instead be used to store liquid methanol at ambient conditions as a feedstock. This eliminates the complexities and concerns of onboard hydrogen management, such as storage at high pressures or cryogenic temperatures, which have long been a roadblock for transportation industries.

Click here to learn more about the RIX M2H2-Series hydrogen generation systems.