Regan Brown
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that produces electricity when consumed in a fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Hydrogen can be produced by several means, including steam methane reforming (SMR) and electrolysis of water using renewable power. The power supply required for electrolysis is a critical factor in creating an economically viable hydrogen generation strategy, as electrolysis is an energy-intensive process. The cost of hydrogen fuel cells and the limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations have limited the number of hydrogen-fueled vehicles in use today. However, hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in decarbonizing various industries and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen production via electrolysis
Hydrogen fuel is a clean energy carrier that can be used to store, move, and deliver energy produced from other sources. It can be deployed as fuel in two ways: in fuel cells that produce electricity, and via combustion to generate heat. Hydrogen is also used in cars, houses, and for portable power.
Hydrogen electrolysis is a leading hydrogen production pathway to achieve the Hydrogen Energy Earthshot goal of reducing the cost of clean hydrogen. Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This occurs in units called electrolyzers, which can range in size and capacity, as well as the technology used. Electrolyzers consist of an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte.
There are several types of electrolysis, including alkaline electrolysis, PEM electrolysis, and solid oxide electrolysis. Alkaline electrolysis is a preferred choice for many industries due to its high efficiency, durability, and economic viability. PEM electrolysis uses pure water and a solid polymer electrolyte, and is well-suited for use with volatile renewable energy sources. Solid oxide electrolysis uses a solid oxide electrolyte to split water into hydrogen and oxygen at elevated temperatures.
The production of green hydrogen through electrolysis is gaining popularity due to its sustainability and potential to reduce carbon emissions. Power supplies are critical for successful electrolysis, and custom power supplies can help to mitigate energy losses and reduce heat.
The amount of electricity required for hydrogen fuel electrolysis depends on the source of electricity and its cost and efficiency. Today, most electricity is generated using technologies that result in greenhouse gas emissions, making it less than ideal for electrolysis. However, hydrogen production via electrolysis is being pursued for renewable and nuclear energy options.
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Hydrogen as a feedstock for industry
Hydrogen is an essential feedstock for many industries, including oil refining, ammonia production, methanol production, and steelmaking. It is also used in rocket fuel, fuel cells for electricity generation, and powering vehicles. Here are some key points about hydrogen as an industrial feedstock:
- Oil Refining: Hydrogen is used in the oil refining process to transform crude oil into more useful fuels. It helps remove sulfur from the oil, creating hydrogen sulfide, which can be extracted from the fuel.
- Ammonia Production:* More than half of the world's hydrogen production goes into ammonia manufacturing. Ammonia is a critical component of fertilizers. Hydrogen, combined with nitrogen, produces ammonia through the Haber-Bosch process.
- Methanol Production:* Hydrogen is used in refining processes to produce methanol, essential for various chemical products.
- Steelmaking:* Hydrogen is being explored as a replacement for coal in steelmaking, providing the necessary heat and facilitating chemical reactions. It can act as a clean energy carrier and a low-carbon catalyst, reducing emissions in the steel industry.
- Concrete and Cement Production:* Hydrogen is being considered in concrete production to reduce carbon emissions. However, it cannot be directly substituted in current cement production methods, so alternative approaches are being explored, such as mixing hydrogen with biomass or CCUS fossil fuels.
- Electricity Generation:* Hydrogen has the potential to store energy for electric power generation. Fuel cells use hydrogen to generate electricity and can be used as a supplement or replacement for natural gas in power plants.
- Transportation:* Hydrogen can be liquefied and used as fuel for trucks, rail, marine, and rocket engines. The distribution of hydrogen for transportation is being tested in various regions, including the US, Europe, and Japan.
- Decarbonization:* Hydrogen plays a crucial role in the decarbonization of industries. Its use in steelmaking, cement production, and as a feedstock for cleaner ammonia and organic chemical production contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Hydrogen fuel cells
The process by which hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity is known as electrochemistry, similar to the function of a battery. Hydrogen and oxygen atoms are combined in an electrochemical cell, resulting in the production of electricity, water, and a minimal amount of heat. This process holds great potential for electricity generation and has been utilised by NASA in space missions.
The production of hydrogen fuel, however, presents some challenges. One method of hydrogen production is through electrolysis, which requires a significant amount of electricity. The power supply for electrolysis can come from various sources, including grid electricity, which is the most reliable but also costly and a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy sources offer a more sustainable alternative, although they are less dependable. The efficiency of electrolysis operations is crucial, as power consumption accounts for a significant portion of the operating costs.
The energy efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells is a critical consideration. While hydrogen has the potential to facilitate decarbonisation in the electric power sector, it requires about four times the volume of traditional fuel to produce the same amount of energy. This can lead to design inefficiencies, as seen in Boeing's decision to avoid hydrogen as a primary fuel source for aircraft. Additionally, the liquefaction and cryogenic liquid storage of hydrogen are energy-intensive and expensive processes.
Despite these challenges, hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising avenue for reducing emissions and phasing out fossil fuels. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources, and its integration as an energy carrier alongside electricity can contribute to the long-term goal of limiting climate change. With advancements in technology and increasing demand for sustainable solutions, hydrogen fuel cells are expected to play a more significant role in the future energy landscape.
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Hydrogen for transport
Hydrogen has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles can travel longer distances using less energy, making them ideal for heavy-duty tractor trailers and public transit buses. For example, a fuel cell electric vehicle with 1 kg of hydrogen can drive approximately 60 miles, compared to 25 miles for a conventional vehicle with a gallon of gasoline. Hydrogen fuel cells can also reduce emissions in heavy-duty vehicles, which make up 5% of vehicles on US roads but contribute to more than 20% of transportation emissions.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is working to increase fuel efficiency, with a goal of achieving nearly 100 miles on 1 kg of hydrogen. DOE's Hydrogen Shot initiative aims to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1/kg within a decade, making it more accessible and affordable. Currently, hydrogen is sold per kilogram, with the energy in one kilogram of hydrogen equivalent to one gallon of gasoline. Hydrogen can also be produced from a variety of domestic resources, including natural gas, plant materials, and even trash.
However, there are challenges to the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel in transportation. The production of hydrogen fuel can be energy-intensive and result in emissions, depending on the source of feedstock and method of production. Additionally, the transportation, storage, and delivery of hydrogen to the point of use can be costly and energy-inefficient. Building a national hydrogen delivery infrastructure will require significant research and development, expansion of the supply chain, and new deployments.
Currently, there are about 50 hydrogen fuel stations in the US supporting over 12,000 hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles and nearly 70 buses. The limited availability of hydrogen fuelling stations has hindered the growth of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. However, initiatives such as California's Advanced Clean Cars Program are promoting the establishment of publicly accessible hydrogen vehicle fuelling stations to encourage the use of zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.
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Hydrogen liquefaction
Linde, a leading company in the field, has constructed the majority of hydrogen liquefaction plants worldwide. Their dynamic gas-bearing turbine technology is responsible for the exceptional efficiency of their cold boxes. The Linde process for small-capacity liquefaction plants involves using a closed helium circuit to cool the hydrogen. Pure hydrogen gas is fed into a vacuum-insulated cold box, and after sufficient subcooling, it expands through a Joule-Thomson valve into a storage tank. For larger liquefaction capacities, the hydrogen Claude process is employed, combining the H2 feed gas with the refrigeration process.
The hydrogen liquefaction process requires a significant amount of energy, making it an expensive endeavour. The liquefaction process consumes over 30% of the energy content of the hydrogen. Additionally, there is a loss of stored hydrogen through evaporation or "boil off", particularly in smaller tanks with larger surface-to-volume ratios. To address these challenges, ongoing research focuses on improving liquefaction technology and economies of scale to reduce the energy requirements and associated costs.
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Frequently asked questions
The theoretical power input required is about 39.4 kWh to electrolyze 1 kg of hydrogen, assuming no net energy loss. However, most commercial devices have some inefficiencies, so a standard operating amount is approximately 50 kWh per kilogram.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that produces only water when consumed in a fuel cell. It can be used to power vehicles, generate electricity, and facilitate decarbonization in the industrial production of steel, cement, glass, and chemicals. Hydrogen can also store energy produced by renewable energy sources for long periods, making it useful for decarbonizing the electric power sector.
Hydrogen fuel requires about four times the volume of traditional fuels to generate the same amount of energy, making it impractical for some applications, such as aviation. Hydrogen fuel cells are also costly, and the limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations has slowed the adoption of hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
