HYDROGEN: THE FUTURE

FUEL

Veena.V.Parthan
BL.EN.P2TSE17015
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Introduction
Different Hydrogen Production Processes
Gas Clean-up
Hydrogen Economy
Hydrogen Storage
CONTENT
Fuel Cells
Opportunities and Challenges
Conclusion
References

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Hydrogen- the most abundant

element on earth

A US $ 100 billion-plus business.

INTRODUCTION Hydrogen as a fuel: processing

hydrocarbons

Chemical energy (H2) about three

times more than other chemical fuels.

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DIFFERENT
HYDROGEN
PRODUCTION
PROCESSES

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PROCESSING HYDROGEN USING

HYDROCARBONS
• Steam reforming (SR)- Most common
method of H2 production

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PROCESSING HYDROGEN USING

HYDROCARBONS
• Partial Oxidation

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PROCESSING HYDROGEN USING

HYDROCARBONS
• Auto-thermal reforming- Combination of SR with POX

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HYDROGEN GAS PRODUCTION :

OTHER METHODS
Photo-
Electrolysis
electrolysis

Uses electricity
Electric current
generated using
passed through
photovoltaic
water.
cells.

Separates water Similar process

into hydrogen as that of
and oxygen. Electrolysis.

Hydrogen
atoms are
collected at the
cathode.

Expensive but
provides pure
Hydrogen.
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Production of Hydrogen from Biomass

Photo-biological hydrogen production

Hydrogen: The Future Fuel
 RENEWABLE
Solar Energy

SOLAR
Heat Biomass

PATHS TO
Mechanical
Energy

HYDROGEN
Electricity

Conversion

Thermolysis Electrolysis Photolysis

Hydrogen

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GAS CLEAN-UP
• Shift reaction
Conversion of CO to CO2 using
steam as an oxidant.
• Selective Oxidation
Selective removal of CO occurs
over some catalysts.
• Methanation
CO is treated with hydrogen to
form methane and water.
• Membranes
Palladium Alloy membranes used in
removal of CO from fuel stream.

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HYDROGEN
ECONOMY
The Hydrogen Economy is a
hypothetical large-scale system
in which elemental hydrogen (H2)
is the primary form of energy
(usually) plays a central role in
transportation.
Clean, renewable
Poses great technological
challenges for efficient hydrogen
production, storage, and
transport

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HYDROGEN
STORAGE
Large-Scale Stationary Storage
Intermediate- and Small-Scale
Stationary/Mobile Storage
As a compressed gas
Metal hydrides
Experimental Methods
Improved hydrides; carbon nano-
tubes; many other materials (eg:
conversion to ammonia)

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FUEL CELLS
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells
• Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
• Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEM)

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FUEL CELL STACKS

• A single fuel cell produces enough electricity for only the smallest
applications [a single PEM fuel cell produces around 0.7V and 0.2A direct
current (D.C.)]
• Typically combined in series into a fuel cell stack. A typical stack may consist
of hundreds of fuel cells.

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HYDROGEN AS
AUTOMOTIVE FUEL
• A practical near future fuel source
for automotive fuel cells are
hydrogen-rich fuels.
• such as methanol, natural gas,
petrol, or gasified coal used in
combination with a reformer.

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THE FUEL CELL ‘FLEET’ IS NOW MOSTLY

HYDROGEN FUELLED

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Effective ways for Energy-Efficient Highly selective

removal of Sulphur and compact and active
from processors for on- catalysts for
hydrocarbons. site fuel reforming. oxidation of CO.

Effective removal
High-performance
of inorganic
electrode
Sulphur after fuel
catalysts.
reforming.

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CONCLUSION
• Call for clean energy is the main driver in development of Fuel processing.
• Hydrogen Production- new applications in fuel cell power generation
• Steam reforming yields highest Hydrogen concentration.
• For practical applications, POX and Auto-thermal reforming processes are
preferred – can be made energy-efficient and are smaller and lighter
• Production of Hydrogen using Solar energy is still under research.
• Need for smaller, lighter and responsive fuel processors producing high purity
Hydrogen gas.

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REFERENCES

[1] B. Vishwannathan & M.A. Scibioh, “Fuel Cells- Principles and Applications,’
Hyderabad, India: Universities Press Private Limited, 2013, pp. 342-367.
[2] J. Erjavec & J. Arias, “Alternative Fuel Technology,” India: Cengage
Learning India Private Limited, 2012, pp. 268-278
[3] V. Kumbar & P. Pattanashetti, “Hydrogen as an Alternate Energy Fuel,”
Dept. Thermal., B.V. Bhoomaraddi College, Hubli, India, N.D.

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Hydrogen: The Future Fuel