MODULE 5
GREEN ENERGY(HYDROGEN ENERGY)
INTRODUCTION
Hydrogen is the simplest element and an atom of hydrogen consists of only
one proton and one electron.
It is a clean burning fuel that can be produced in virtually unlimited quantities
at a cheap cost.
It can be readily converted into electricity when needed either through
mechanical energy or directly through electrochemical fuels.
Following are the methods utilizing solar energy as the primary source:
Electrolysis of water by electrical current generated by a thermal solar plant
in a conventional steam cycle.
Thermal decomposition of water using solar energy to heat the vessel.
Direct photo catalytic decomposition of water by solar radiation.
Electrolysis of water by electrical current generated by photovoltaic
conversion.
BENEFITS OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
1)Use of hydrogen greatly reduces pollution
When hydrogen is combined with oxygen in a fuel cell, energy in the form of
electricity is produced.
This electricity can be used to power vehicles, as a heat source and for many
other uses.
When combined with oxygen only by-products are water and heat.
No greenhouse or other particles are produced by the use of hydrogen fuel
cells.
2)Hydrogen can be produced locally from numerous sources:
Hydrogen can be produced either centrally, and then distributed, or onsite
where it will be used.
Hydrogen gas can be produced from methane, gasoline, biomass, coal, or
water.
Each of these sources brings with it different amounts of pollution, technical
challenges, and energy requirements.
3)A sustainable production system if hydrogen is produced from
electrolysis of water:
Electrolysis is a process of separating water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Renewable energy can be used to power electrolysers to produce hydrogen
from water.
Using renewable energy provides a sustainable system that is independent of
petroleum products and is non-polluting.
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
The choice of production methods will vary depending on the availability of
feedstock or resource, the quantity of hydrogen required, and the required
purity of hydrogen.
These processes can be divided into three major research areas:
1. Thermochemical production technologies
2. Electrolytic production technologies
3. Photolytic production technologies
Electrolysis Process
An electrolysis cell essentially consists of two electrodes, commonly flat
metal or carbon plates, immersed in an aqueous conducting solution called
electrolyte.
A source of direct current voltage is connected to the electrodes so that
electric current flows through the electrolyte from the positive
electrode(anode) to the negative electrode(cathode).
As a result, the water in the electrolyte solution decomposed into hydrogen
gas(H2) which is released at the cathode and oxygen gas(O2) released at the
anode.
As water itself is a poor conductor of electricity, an electrolyte, commonly
aqueous KOH is used.
Ideally, a decomposition voltage of 1.23 V per cell should be sufficient at
normal temperature and pressure but due to slowness of the electrode process,
a voltage of about 2 V per cell is applied in practice.
Ideally 2.8kW-hr of electrical energy should produce one m3 of hydrogen gas.
But the actual energy required is 3.9-4.6 kWh per m3 of hydrogen produced.
About 60-70% of this energy is actually utilized in electrolysis.
Therefore, the efficiency of electrolysis process is about 60-70% which can be
improved up to 80% by using catalyst such as porous platinum or nickel.
A diaphragm (usually woven asbestos) prevents electronic contact between the
electrodes and passage of gas or gas bubbles.
HYDROGEN ENERGY STORAGE
The development of safe, reliable, compact and cost effective hydrogen storage
technologies is one of the most technically challenging barriers to the widespread
use of hydrogen as a usable form of energy.
To competitive with conventional vehicles, hydrogen-powered cars must be able to
travel more than 450km between fills.
This is a challenging goal because hydrogen has physical characteristics that make
it difficult to store in large quantities without taking up a significant amount of
space.
i)Compressed Gas and Liquid hydrogen storage tanks:
The hydrogen can be compressed into containers or underground reservoirs.
This is a relatively simple technology, but the energy density and efficiency
(65%–70%) are low.
However, this is, at present, the most common form of hydrogen storage for
the transport industry, with the hydrogen compressed to approximately 700
bar.
However, the energy required for the compression is a major drawback.
Hydrogen has a very high energy content by weight but it has a very low
energy content by volume.
The hydrogen can be liquefied by pressurising and cooling.
Liquefied hydrogen is denser than gaseous hydrogen, and hence contains
more energy in a given volume.
Liquid hydrogen tanks can store more hydrogen than gas tanks but it takes
energy to liquify hydrogen.
However tank insulation required to prevent hydrogen loss adds to the
weight, volume and cost of liquid hydrogen tanks.
Although the energy density is improved, it is still four times less than
conventional petrol.
Further, keeping the hydrogen liquefied is very energy intensive, as it must be
kept below 20.27K
2.Materials based storage
Certain materials absorb molecular hydrogen such as nanostructured carbons
and clathrate hydrate.
It can be stored on the surfaces of solids by adsorption process or within
solids by absorption process.
In adsorption process, hydrogen attaches to the surface of the material either
as hydrogen molecules or hydrogen atom.
In absorption process, hydrogen molecule dissociate into hydrogen atoms
that are incorporated into solid lattice structure called as intermetallic hybrid
storage.
Method makes it possible to store larger quantities of hydrogen in smaller
volumes at lower pressure and at temperature close to room temperature.
By absorbing the hydrogen in these materials, it can be easily transported and
stored.
Once required, the hydrogen is removed from the parent material.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH HYDROGEN ENERGY
1)Hydrogen Storage:
The concerns surrounding the storage of hydrogen are a major issue.
It must be stored at extremely low temperatures and high pressure.
A container capable of withstanding these specifications is larger than a
standard gas tank.
Hydrogen storage could be viewed as a problem by consumers.
2. High Reactivity of Hydrogen:
Hydrogen is extremely reactive.
It is combustible and flammable.
The Hindenburg disaster, where a hydrogen-filled blimp exploded and many
people died, has caused a fear of hydrogen
3. Cost and methods of hydrogen fuel production:
Current production of hydrogen takes a lot of energy.
New, clean energy technology or hydrogen production methods will need to
be developed for hydrogen vehicles to make sense.
4. Consumer demand:
Another problem for hydrogen fuel is consumer demand and the cost to
change all gasoline filling stations and vehicle production lines into
hydrogen.
The major transport companies will not start to produce hydrogen vehicles
until there is consumer demand.
5. Cost of changing the infrastructure:
To accommodate hydrogen equipment and appliances.
FUEL CELL
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device that continuously
converts chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical energy.
It is known as a cell because of some similarities with a primary cell.
Like a conventional primary cell it also has two electrodes and an electrolyte
between them and produces dc power.
It is also a static power conversion device.
However, active materials are generally supplied from outside unlike
conventional cell where it is contained inside the cell.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
The main components of fuel cell are:
i) A Fuel Electrode
ii) An oxidant or Air Electrode
iii) An Electrolyte
In Hydrox fuel cell hydrogen is the active material at the negative electrode
and oxygen is active at the positive electrode.
Since hydrogen and oxygen are gases, a fuel cell requires a solid electrical
conductor to serve as a current collector and to provide terminal at each
electrode.
The solid electrode material is generally porous.
Porous Nickel Electrodes and porous carbon electrodes are generally used for
commercial applications.
Hydrogen gas is supplied to one electrode and oxygen gas to the other.
Between the electrodes is a layer of electrolyte.
Most existing fuel cells operate at temperatures at below about 200ºC; the
electrolyte is usually aqueous solution of an alkali acid.
Electric current is drawn from the cell by connecting a load between the
electrode terminals.
At the negative electrode, hydrogen gas(H2) is converted into hydrogen
ions(H+) i.e hydrogen with a positive electric charge,
H2 2H+ +2e-
When the cell is operating and producing current, the electrons flow through
the external load to the positive electrode, they interact with oxygen (O2) and
water(H2O) from the electrolyte to form negatively charged hydroxyl
ions(OH- ) ions;
The hydrogen and the hydroxyl ions then combine in the electrolyte to
produce water.
The electrolyte is typically 40% KOH solution because of its high electrical
conductivity and it is less corrosive than acids.
The overall process is the chemical combination of hydrogen and oxygen to
form water
The oxygen and hydrogen are converted to water, which is the waste product
of the cell.
The reactants are stored outside the cell and the electrodes and electrolytes
are not consumed in the overall process.
These properties lead to the design of convenient and small size and longer
life power units.
Some amount of heat is also produced, which can be easily dissipated to the
atmosphere or used locally for heating purpose.
No cooling water is required, unlike conventional thermal power conversion
devices where substantial quantity of cooling water is required.
The efficiency of a practical fuel cell may be around 50%.
The average cell voltage is typically about 0.7 V (on rated load) and several
cells may be connected in series to increase the voltage.
Applications of Hydrogen Energy
a)At Home Sector
Fuel cells are ideal for residential zones. They are virtually silent with no
moving parts and provide reliable power 24/7.
In addition, a fuel cell, which is large enough to power an entire home, is
about the size of a traditional AC unit.
Fuel cells already power thousands of homes in Japan and are beginning to
power similarly in the United States.
b) At Work Sector
Fuel cells can be produced in stacks large enough to power the large office
buildings, but only occupy the area of couple of parking spaces.
Again, fuel cells are a great fit in this situation, as they are noiseless,
environmentally friendly, and efficient.
Distributed power from fuel cells does not rely on transmission lines, and
thus eliminates the need for backup power generators.
c)At Transport and Industrial Sectors
Fuel cells are just as mobile as human beings.
Fuel cells can power cars, buses, airplanes, cell phones, laptops, and more.
With nearly 10 times the lifespan of batteries on a single charge, fuel cells can keep
powered no matter where the road takes the transport vehicles.
Hydrogen is an ideal replacement for fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas in
furnaces,internal combustion engines, turbines, and jet engines.
In electrified vehicles, for example, it is used to run fuel cells that convert hydrogen
efficiently (back) to electricity.
They have the potential to replace conventional power generators such as combustion
engines or even large batteries in cars, buses, forklift trucks (FLTs), submarines, and
backup and power plants.
ZERO ENERGY CONCEPT
The "zero energy concept" in the context of hydrogen usually refers to
producing and utilizing hydrogen in a way that has a minimal net impact on
energy consumption and emissions.
It involves using renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to
generate hydrogen through water electrolysis.
This process creates hydrogen without emitting greenhouse gases, making it a
more sustainable fuel option.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
Renewable
Hydrogen Hydrogen Zero
Energy Electrolyser
storage Utilization Emission
Source
1.Renewable Energy Source: This could be solar panels or wind turbines,
which generate clean and renewable electricity.
2.Electrolyzer: The renewable electricity powers an electrolyzer, a device that
splits water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) through electrolysis.
3.Hydrogen Storage: The produced hydrogen is stored in tanks or other
storage solutions for later use.
4.Hydrogen Utilization: The stored hydrogen can be utilized in various
applications, such as:
1. Fuel Cells: In vehicles or stationary power systems, where hydrogen
reacts with oxygen from the air in fuel cells to generate electricity, with
only water vapor as a byproduct.
2. Industrial Processes: Hydrogen can be used as a feedstock for chemical
processes, including ammonia production and refining.
3. Heating and Power Generation: Hydrogen can be burned directly in gas
turbines or other combustion systems for heating or electricity generation.
5.Zero Emissions: The overall concept is "zero energy" because the electricity
used for electrolysis is generated from renewable sources, resulting in minimal
or no net emissions of greenhouse gases.
Classification of Fuel Cells
Fuel cells can be classified in several ways:
1.Based on the type of electrolyte
(i) Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)
(ii) Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC)
(iii) Polymer Electrolytic Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) or Solid Polymer Fuel
Cell (SPFC) or Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
(iv) Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC)
(v) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
2.Based on the types of the fuel and oxidant
(i)Hydrogen (pure)—Oxygen (pure) fuel cell
(ii)Hydrogen rich gas—air fuel cell
(iii)Hydrazine-Oxygen/hydrogen peroxide fuel cell
(iv)Ammonia—air fuel cell
(v)Synthesis gas—air fuel cell
(vi)Hydrocarbon (gas)—air fuel cell
(vii)Hydrocarbon (liquid)—air fuel cell
3.Based on operating temperature
(i) Low temperature fuel cell (below 150°C)
(ii) Medium temperature fuel cell (150-250°C)
(iii) High temperature fuel cell (250-800°C)
(iv) Very high temperature fuel cell (800-1100°C)
4.Based on the chemical nature of electrolyte
(i) Acidic electrolyte type
(ii) Alkaline electrolyte type
(iii) Neutral electrolyte type
5.Based on application
(i) Fuel cell for space applications
(ii) Fuel cell for vehicle propulsion
(iii) Fuel cell for submarines
(iv) Fuel cell for defense applications
(v) Fuel cell for commercial applications
