Hydrogen Energy

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, making up 75% of normal matter by mass and over 90% by number of atoms.This element is found in great abundance in stars and gas giant planets. Molecular clouds of H₂ are associated with star formation. Hydrogen plays a vital role in powering stars through proton-proton reaction nuclear fusion. The Hydrogen element in its atomic state consists of a single proton enveloped by a single electron. The above digression is only to emphasize the unique structure and nature of hydrogen and the pivotal role it plays in the energy equation of the universe.

Technically, molecular hydrogen is not a energy source. It can be considered as only a energy carrier since the energy is not created by destruction of mass as in proton fusion reaction. Hydrogen is a very highly combustible gas. It is a fuel that results in high energy output and no greenhouse gas emissions and no toxic wastes. Hydrogen burns violently in air. Pure hydrogen-oxygen flames burn in the ultraviolet color range and as such the flame is nearly invisible to the naked eye,

2 H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2 H₂O(l) + 572 kJ/mol

Since the by-product of the above combustion of hydrogen in air is water vapor, it is a highly favored green reaction.

Although hydrogen can be produced as a major by-product by many chemical and electrochemical methods, the main problem posed is that of storage. Liquifaction of Hydrogen is not energy efficient since significant energy is consumed. The other major problem posed is that of atmospheric damage such as Ozone depletion if there is significant leakage of Hydrogen into atmosphere. One way to circumvent the storage problems is by storing hydrogen in metal clusters as molecular hydrogen.

In situ production of hydrogen by chemical and electrochemical methods has been adapted for automobile engine fuel supplement. Hydrogen Power Inc. (HPI) is a Seattle-based alternative energy company that has developed a proprietary method of producing hydrogen called Hydrogen Now™. This patented process safely generates pure hydrogen using aluminum, one of the most abundant and cost-effective natural resources on earth. Hydrogen Now™ combines aluminum, water, and an environmentally friendly catalyst to create a water-split reaction, generating hydrogen on-site and on-demand.

2 Al + 6 H₂O → 2 Al(OH)₃ + 3 H₂

Electrochemical Synthesis

Currently similar such adaptations for greater fuel economy and greater mileage for petrol is available for a small affordable price wherein the splitting of water by electrochemical means yields on demand hydrogen. 2H₂O(aq) → 2H₂(g) + O₂(g). Both the anode and cathode are made of inert metals such as Platinum so that the nascent oxygen does not oxidize the metal, instead is evolved as molecular oxygen which can then be channeled into the combustion chamber to react with the evolved hydrogen. Such commercially available adaptations have not been tested for long term use yet. However it is a promising technology and has potential for real development.

Biological syntheses

H₂ is a product of some types of anaerobic metabolism and is produced by several microorganisms, usually via reactions catalyzed by iron- or nickel-containing enzymes called hydrogenases. These enzymes catalyze the reversible redox reaction between H₂ and its component two protons and two electrons. Creation of hydrogen gas occurs in the transfer of reducing equivalents produced during pyruvate fermentation to water.

Water splitting, in which water is decomposed into its component protons, electrons, and oxygen, occurs in the light reactions in all photosynthetic organisms. Some such organisms — including the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and cyanobacteria — have evolved a second step in the dark reactions in which protons and electrons are reduced to form H₂ gas by specialized hydrogenases in the chloroplast. Efforts have been undertaken to genetically modify cyanobacterial hydrogenases to efficiently synthesize H₂ gas even in the presence of oxygen.

Other rarer but mechanistically interesting routes to H₂ production also exist in nature. Nitrogenase produces approximately one equivalent of H₂ for each equivalent of N₂ reduced to ammonia. Some phosphatases reduce phosphite to H₂.

Fuel Cell Technology

The reverse of electrolysis of water to H2 and O2 is the classical fuel cell. Here H2 and O2 are combined in a electrochemical reaction to produce electricity and water. This useful method of electricity production is especially useful for producing electricity in small home units therefore replacing dependence on grid electricity. However there have been many hurdles. Most recently other types of fuel cells have been engineered to use other fuels such as natural gas, biogas etc to produce green electricity.

Links

For large scale use in place of other traditional fuels, hydrogen liquifaction and storage technology has to be developed further.The main constraints are that there are risks since it is a explosive gas. Certain security measures are needed. Production, storage and use of it has to be developed for it to be a effective replacement of fossil fuel. Especially for motor vehicles.

The following few relevant links give greater insight into the current interest in this fuel alternate.
A Hydrogen Powered World
This site is managed by The Clean Energy Educational Trust to promote the concept of a hydrogen powered world. Their aim is to raise general awareness of the possibility of changing the source of the world's energy supplies from fossil fuels and nuclear power to a pollution-free energy system based on hydrogen.

U.S. Fuel Cell Council
The U.S. Fuel Cell Council is an industry association dedicated to fostering the commercialization of fuel cells in the United States. Their members include the world's leading fuel cell developers, manufacturers, suppliers and customers.

European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform
The European Commission is facilitating the establishment of a European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of these key technologies in Europe.

Fuel Cell Industry Report
Is the leading publication in its field. Each month manufacturers, integrators, suppliers and end users turn to Fuel Cell Industry Report to keep up with the rapid advances in fuel cell commercialization.

Fuel Cell Technology Showcase
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) is known globally as a leading source for automotive technology. SAE has developed the Fuel Cell Technology Showcase as a resource for the latest books, standards, articles, events and more with relation to fuel cell energy and fuel cell vehicles.

How the Hydrogen Economy Works
The world is moving toward what is broadly known as the hydrogen economy. We will soon being to see the shift away from the fossil fuel economy to a much cleaner hydrogen future.

Hydrogen Energy Center
A non-profit organization working toward a sustainable energy economy based on a renewable hydrogen program. Committed to advancing the transition to a renewable hydrogen energy economy through education, demonstration, and advocacy.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Glossary
U.S. Department of Energy glossary guide.

Hydrogen Now!
A non-profit organization based in Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A., committed to influencing and having a direct impact on the transition to a hydrogen economy. Hydrogen Now! reaches around the world; its advisors and board members worldwide comprise over 100 years of combined expertise in hydrogen energy.

International Association for Hydrogen Energy
The Association strives to advance the day when hydrogen power will become the principal means by which the world will achieve its long-sought goal of abundant clean energy.

American Hydrogen Association
The goal of AHA is to stimulate interest and help establish the renewable hydrogen energy economy by the year 2010. To achieve this goal, the American Hydrogen Association is working in cooperation with organizations and industry, community, and schools to promote understanding of hydrogen technology, and help create a marketplace for pollution-free hydrogen energy.

Canadian Hydrogen Association
A non-profit membership association composed of universities, research organizations, industry and small business. Its objective is to promote the use and development of hydrogen energy, hydrogen energy systems and technologies and to develop the role of hydrogen energy for the purpose of improving the environment.

Cross Creek Initiative
The CCI is a a non-profit organization. Their mission is to champion the worldwide shift to maximum efficiency and planet-friendly energy.

National Fuel Cell Research Center
The NFCRC is principally focused on stationary power and its role as a Distributed Generation technology. While efforts are underway on the components of fuel cell systems, a great deal of effort is focused on the development, integration, deployment and connectivity of fuel cell systems.

National Hydrogen Association
The NHA serves as a catalyst for information exchange and cooperative projects and provides the setting for mutual support among industry, government, and research/academic organizations.

Schatz Energy Research Center
An animation showing the process that goes on inside an individual fuel cell. Essential information about education on alternative, renewable energy sources.

UK Hydrogen Energy Network, The
(H2NET) was established in April 2000 as a joint collaboration between UK industry and academia interested in the development of hydrogen as an energy vector. Its principal aim is to promote research and discussion on issues connected with the development of the hydrogen energy economy. The formation of the Network was prompted by wider international developments in the technologies underpinning a hydrogen energy economy.

News

A hot new invention which uses just water to fuel a hydrogen blow torch

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