Hydrogen

A Fuel for Today and Tomorrow

What is Hydrogen?

Element 1 on the Periodic Table - 1 proton, 1 electron Diatomic molecule (H2) - 2 protons, 2 electrons Highest energy content of common fuels on a WEIGHT basis Lowest energy content of common fuels on a VOLUME basis Elemental hydrogen is abundant on earth, but usually bound to carbon or oxygen Abundant throughout the universe (stars are primarily hydrogen)

Energy carriers move energy in a usable form from one place to another. Electricity is an energy carrier So are gasoline and hydrogen Hydrogen allows us to store energy from many sources and bring it to where we need it.

Hydrogen is an Energy Carrier

Why Hydrogen? Its abundant, clean, efficient, and can be derived from diverse domestic resources.
Biomass Hydro Wind Solar
Geothermal

Transportation
HIGH EFFICIENCY & RELIABILITY

Nuclear
With Carbon Sequestration

Oil Coal Natural Gas

ZERO/NEAR ZERO EMISSIONS

Distributed Generation

Where is Hydrogen Found?

Hydrogen as a gas in NOT abundant in underground reservoirs. Hydrogen bonds easily to other elements and is rarely found on its own.

While hydrogen can be stripped from underground deposits of natural gas (methane) there are no underground deposits of pure hydrogen.

Hydrogen can be produced from water; from carbon-containing materials (usually reacting with water); as a byproduct of chemical processes Regional variations in traditional energy resources are no longer an issue Every region has some indigenous fossil or renewable resource that can be used to make hydrogen

Flexibility of Source

Commercial Product Today

Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) 48% of world production Nearly 95% of the U.S. hydrogen production Strong economy-of-scale Heat integration within and outside of SMR Overall energy efficiency is affected by the ability to make use of the steam by-product

Current Hydrogen Fuel Use in the U.S.

70 fueling stations 21 in California 10 in New York 5 in Michigan 1-2 in AZ, CO, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MO, NV, ND, OH, PA, SC, VT, VA, WV 313 Hydrogen Vehicles Honda FCX sedan is the only fuel cell car available to the public on a limited release lease agreement (mostly in S. California)
Data from Transportation Energy Data Book, Dept. of Energy, 2010

5/31/2013

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Commercial Production Today

Petroleum Refining 30% of world production Used within the refinery Coal Gasification 18% of world production Byproduct of steel industry Coke off-gas Primarily found in Europe and Asia

Electrolysis 4% of world production High-purity for on-site generation and use Cost is a strong function of electricity cost

Other Ways to Liberate Hydrogen From Water

Steam Electrolysis
Split water with heat, pressure, and electricity

Thermochemical
Split water with chemicals and heat

Photoelectrochemical
Split water using sunlight directly, or using chemicals and heat

Biological
Split water using organisms

Storage of hydrogen on board a vehicle is a tough technical challenge Installation of a hydrogen delivery and dispensing infrastructure is expensive Its not just the transportation sector that is affected by hydrogen and fuel cells stationary and portable applications also affected.

Challenges of Hydrogen

Hydrogen Storage and Transportation

Hydrogen can be cooled and stored o as a liquid. It must be cooled to -253
It can also be stored as a gas. It must be compressed to be stored efficiently.

Hydrogen Storage
High-pressure storage tanks. Hydrogen gas can be compressed and stored in storage tanks at high pressure, but these tanks must be very strong.
Liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen can be stored as a liquid. In this form, more hydrogen can be stored per volume, but it must be kept at very cold temperature (about -253 C).

Hydrogen Storage
Metal hydrides. Hydrogen combines chemically with some metals, which can store it more efficiently than high-pressure storage tanks.
Carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are microscopic tubes of carbon, two nanometers (billionths of a meter) across, which store hydrogen in their microscopic pores.

Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen storage takes place On-board a vehicle At production sites, in transit, and at refueling stations Hydrogen can be stored in its pure form, or can be reformed on board a vehicle from other fuels

Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Transportation

PEM fuel cells are favored because they operate at low temperature (~80C) less waste heatbut also limits CHP applications compared to other fuel cell types Quick startup, lower thermal stresses Efficient at low loads (typical operating region for vehicles)

Guts of a Fuel Cell Vehicle

Fuel Cell Life

While fuel cells do wear out over time, A PEM fuel cell in a vehicle should have a 4,000 hour service life, while stationary applications should last 40,000 hours.

Hydrogen Safety
Hydrogen Gasoline
Three Second seconds

Fuel leak simulation

Hydrogen on left Gasoline on right Equivalent energy release

One minute

Flexibility Of Use
Transportation Desired range can be achieved with on-board hydrogen storage (unlike Battery Electric Vehicle) Can be used in internal combustion engines Trains, automobiles, buses, and ships Buildings Combined heat, power, and fuel Reliable energy services for critical applications Grid independence Industrial Sector Already plays an important role as a chemical Opportunities for additional revenue streams

So why hydrogen?
Energy security Diverse domestic sources Flexibility of system Economic security International leadership in technical development and deployment Price stability Environmental security Potential to meet GHG targets Urban air quality improvements Reduction in air pollutants

The NEED Project acknowledges

Catherine E. Grgoire Padr Los Alamos National Laboratory Dr. Rajat K. Sen, Patty Kappaz Sentech, Inc.