The Hydrogen Alternative

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Debajyoti Bose
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Deep Time ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Near Future ◽  
And Storage

Hydrogen is the cleanest fuel known to man and the most prominent alternative to carbon-based fuels, although it is not available as a free gas on earth, it can be produced from various sources using the correct combination of pressure and temperature. The deep time that our planet has given life has allowed it to grow from a tiny seed of genetic possibility to a planet wide web of complexity we are part of today, where today heating, refrigeration, telecommunication and appliances have become vital in everyday life. Production of electricity using fossil fuels has been under the scanner for quite some time now because of their availability and effects on the environment hydrogen emerges out in this scenario as the future fuel and setting the stage towards the hydrogen economy. The clean nature of hydrogen and the efficiency of fuel cells taken together offer an appealing alternative to fossil fuels. This paper reviews the existing infrastructure of hydrogen production and storage, while simultaneously explores the reason why it will be an inevitability in the near future to meet our ever increasing energy needs.

scholarly journals Hydrogen Production via Hydrolysis and Alcoholysis of Light Metal-Based Materials: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liuzhang Ouyang ◽  
Jun Jiang ◽  
Kang Chen ◽  
Min Zhu ◽  
Zongwen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Hydrogen Generation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Light Metal ◽  
Hydrogen Yield ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
The One ◽  
And Storage

AbstractAs an environmentally friendly and high-density energy carrier, hydrogen has been recognized as one of the ideal alternatives for fossil fuels. One of the major challenges faced by “hydrogen economy” is the development of efficient, low-cost, safe and selective hydrogen generation from chemical storage materials. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in hydrogen production via hydrolysis and alcoholysis of light-metal-based materials, such as borohydrides, Mg-based and Al-based materials, and the highly efficient regeneration of borohydrides. Unfortunately, most of these hydrolysable materials are still plagued by sluggish kinetics and low hydrogen yield. While a number of strategies including catalysis, alloying, solution modification, and ball milling have been developed to overcome these drawbacks, the high costs required for the “one-pass” utilization of hydrolysis/alcoholysis systems have ultimately made these techniques almost impossible for practical large-scale applications. Therefore, it is imperative to develop low-cost material systems based on abundant resources and effective recycling technologies of spent fuels for efficient transport, production and storage of hydrogen in a fuel cell-based hydrogen economy.

Opportunities and Challenges in Converting Existing Natural Gas Infrastructure for Hydrogen Operation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Adam
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Storage Network ◽  
The World ◽  
Drive Trains ◽  
Regulatory Bodies ◽  
And Storage

Abstract Hydrogen holds enormous potential in helping the world achieve its decarbonization goals and is set to play a key role in the Energy Transition. However, two central building blocks are needed to make the hydrogen economy a reality: 1) a sufficient source of emissions-free (i.e., blue or green) hydrogen production and 2) a needs-based transportation and storage network that can reliably and cost-effectively supply hydrogen to end-users. Given the high costs associated with developing new transportation infrastructure, many governments, pipeline operators, and regulatory bodies have begun exploring if it is both possible and economical to convert existing natural gas (i.e., methane) infrastructure for hydrogen operation. This paper outlines opportunities and technical challenges associated with such an endeavor – with a particular focus on adaptation requirements for rotating equipment/compressor drive trains and metallurgical and integrity considerations for pipelines.

scholarly journals Possibilities of Upgrading Solid Underutilized Lingo-cellulosic Feedstock (Carob Pods) to Liquid Bio-fuel: Bio-ethanol Production and Electricity Generation in Fuel Cells - A Critical Appraisal of the Required Processes

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Vourdoubas ◽  
Vasiliki K. Skoulou
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Steam Reforming ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Ethanol Fuel ◽  
Steam Reforming Of Ethanol

The exploitation of rich in sugars lingo-cellulosic residue of carob pods for bio-ethanol and bio-electricity generation has been investigated. The process could take place in two (2) or three (3) stages including: a) bio-ethanol production originated from carob pods, b) direct exploitation of bio-ethanol to fuel cells for electricity generation, and/or c) steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production and exploitation of the produced hydrogen in fuel cells for electricity generation. Surveying the scientific literature it has been found that the production of bio-ethanol from carob pods and electricity fed to the ethanol fuel cells for hydrogen production do not present any technological difficulties. The economic viability of bio-ethanol production from carob pods has not yet been proved and thus commercial plants do not yet exist. The use, however, of direct fed ethanol fuel cells and steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production are promising processes which require, however, further research and development (R&D) before reaching demonstration and possibly a commercial scale. Therefore the realization of power generation from carob pods requires initially the investigation and indication of the appropriate solution of various technological problems. This should be done in a way that the whole integrated process would be cost effective. In addition since the carob tree grows in marginal and partly desertified areas mainly around the Mediterranean region, the use of carob’s fruit for power generation via upgrading of its waste by biochemical and electrochemical processes will partly replace fossil fuels generated electricity and will promote sustainability.

Hydrogen Use in an Urban District: Environmental Impacts in a Possible Scenario Based on Coal

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Gambini ◽  
Michela Vellini
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Urban District ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
Italian City ◽  
Primary Energy Supply

Hydrogen technology is becoming ever more relevant because hydrogen use can help containing greenhouse gas emission if CO2 capture and storage techniques are implemented in the hydrogen production technology (when hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels). For this reason this work aims at carrying out a comparative analysis of possible energy scenarios in urban districts: a medium-small Italian city is taken into consideration, and its energy consumptions, both for domestic and industrial use, are evaluated. The current situation, in which conventional technologies meet the energy needs, is compared to a hypothetical scenario where clean energy vectors, namely hydrogen and electricity, are utilized together with traditional primary energy supply. Hydrogen production by means of coal decarbonization is investigated, as well as hydrogen use in advanced energy systems for transport and for electric and thermal energy generation.

Aerogels as Catalyst Support for Fuel Cells

2021 ◽  
pp. 77-98
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Catalyst Support ◽  
Reduction Reaction ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Global Energy ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Orr Kinetics

Environmental pollution caused by the extensive use of fossil fuels and global energy crisis have increased the need to look for renewable energy sources that not only supplement the global energy needs but are economical and environment friendly, thus making way for fuel cells (FCs) as one of the alternatives for replacing the existing fossil fuel based machinery. Nevertheless, there are several factors that account for the hindrance of FCs on a large scale, one of them being the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics taking place at the cathode. Aerogels are a class of promising materials that have the potential to improve the electrocatalytic activity, stability and durability of FCs when used as catalyst support. The present chapter focuses on reporting the latest developments in the field of aerogels as catalyst support for FCs.

scholarly journals The Hydrogen Fuel Alternative

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.W. Crabtree ◽  
M.S. Dresselhaus
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
Renewable Fuels ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Challenges ◽  
Splitting Water

AbstractThe cleanliness of hydrogen and the efficiency of fuel cells taken together offer an appealing alternative to fossil fuels. Implementing hydrogen-powered fuel cells on a significant scale, however, requires major advances in hydrogen production, storage, and use. Splitting water renewably offers the most plentiful and climate-friendly source of hydrogen and can be achieved through electrolytic, photochemical, or biological means. Whereas presently available hydride compounds cannot easily satisfy the competing requirements for on-board storage of hydrogen for transportation, nanoscience offers promising new approaches to this challenge. Fuel cells offer potentially efficient production of electricity for transportation and grid distribution, if cost and performance challenges of components can be overcome. Hydrogen offers a variety of routes for achieving a transition to a mix of renewable fuels.

scholarly journals Electrolysis for hydrogen production

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (09) ◽  
pp. 684-685
Author(s):  
Prachi Patel ◽  
Kathy Ayers
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Heavy Burden ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
Storage Technologies ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Held Back

The lightest element has carried a heavy burden for half a century. Expectations for the hydrogen economy, first proposed in the 1970s, have been high. But hydrogen as a renewable, low-carbon fuel for vehicles, heating, and energy storage has remained evasive, held back by high costs, low efficiency, and a lack of infrastructure and storage technologies.

Wind Energy and the Hydrogen Economy

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Sherif ◽  
F. Barbir ◽  
T. N. Veziroglu
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Hydrogen Energy ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Available Energy ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Storage Distribution

The hydrogen economy is an inevitable energy system of the future where the available energy sources (preferably the renewable ones) will be used to generate hydrogen and electricity as energy carriers, which are capable of satisfying all the energy needs of human civilization. The transition to a hydrogen economy may have already begun. This paper presents a review of hydrogen energy technologies, namely technologies for hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization. Possibilities for utilization of wind energy to generate hydrogen are discussed in parallel with possibilities to use hydrogen to enhance wind power competitiveness.

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