Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel

Abstract:
Our main future concern is to reduce the carbon emission in the atmosphere. The
use of fossil fuels such as coal, petrol, diesel etc., may increase the carbon emission
which in turn affect the ozone layer and cause depletion this ozone layer depletion in
turns causes global warming which increase the average temperature of the earth.
Nowadays the fossil fuels are steeply depleting and our major concern is how to
meet the increasing demand for energy in future. Hence the whole world has turned
towards the alternative fuels for future use. The alternative fuels which can be used as
Hydrogen, Methanol, Ethanol, Bio-diesel, etc
Hydrogen fuel can be implemented as a renewable energy medium with immense
potential. When utilized properly, it has the potential to entirely replace fossil fuels
altogether. Transforming our largely oil based economy, to a new hydrogen economy,
which will provide sustainability throughout the 21st century, and beyond, for as long as
the sun continues to shine.
This paper will examine all aspects involved in making this transition become a
reality, including political, economical, environmental, and safety issues, using hands on
experience, as well as lots of great internet resources, books, magazines,
When these aspects have been fully comprehended it will be clear just how much
hydrogen can make a difference, how great the impact, coming to the natural conclusion
that hydrogen does, have the potential to do so, and more.

1. Introduction:
Most people think of hydrogen, they think of the first atom on the periodic table,
the Hindenburg, and maybe even the hydrogen bomb, but there is much more to
hydrogen. On earth the hydrogen atom contains a single proton, around which orbits a
single electron. It is also the worlds lightest, most abundant and most explosive element.
For these reasons it is also the most useful, both for its lifting ability, as well as its
explosive power. In fact the sun burns up 11 billion pounds of hydrogen every second
(McAlister). It was through this burning of hydrogen that photosynthesis created the very
fossil fuel we so enjoy today.
Hydrogen is considered energy storage medium, much like batteries, (Camp) and
can be made quite simply. The best method would be to take electricity to split
(electrolyze) water into hydrogen and oxygen. This could be done on a large scale in a
hydrogen plant. The US currently produces 100 billion cubic feet per year of hydrogen
for industry, and the space program (McAlister).
Hydrogen is the heart of all hydro carbon fuels (fossil fuels) pure hydrogen and
carbon can be extracted. Carbon is a very reusable resource and is known for its light
weight and strength (Camp). Carbon would most likely be implemented as a method for
storing hydrogen, rather than using the traditional steel tank, which isnt as safe. A newer,
hi-tech method called Carbon fiber can be used to store hydrogen. Currently this method
of extracting hydrogen from oil is preferred due to its high efficiency, which means most
hydrogen used today is derived from a fossil fuel, but this will change. Once obtained
hydrogen can run virtually every application where other fuels are used today. Basically
anything that operates on a flame like a gas stove, or anything that operates on a
explosion like a internal combustion engine, anything that runs off electricity or could be
run by a battery, done through a fuel cell, or anything else that doesnt fit into those three
categories. Hydrogen can truly run anything that consumes energy of any kind, in any
shape or form.

2. Alternate Fuels
2.1 Definitions:
Environment friendly substitutes (such as compressed natural gas, ethanol, gasohol,
methanol) for fossil fuel based products such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.
2.2 Types of Alternative Fuels

Hydrogen

Ethanol

Propane

Bio-diesel

2.3 Hydrogen:

Hydrogen is gaseous at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, and turns

liquid at -423.2F

Hydrogen gas (H2) is colorless, odorless

It accounts for 75% of the universe's mass, and is naturally occurring element
found in many materials such as natural gas, methanol, coal, biomass, and
water

Hydrogen is not made of pure H2 but has small mixture of oxygen and other
materials

3. Production of hydrogen:
Hydrogen can be produced using diverse, domestic resources including fossil fuels,
such as natural gas and coal (with carbon sequestration); nuclear; and biomass and other
renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro-electric
power. Researchers are working to develop a wide range of technologies to produce
hydrogen economically and in environmentally friendly ways.
3.1. Today the two most common methods used to produce hydrogen fuel are:

steam reforming of natural gas

electrolysis of water

3.1.1. Steam reforming of natural gas:

Producing Hydrogen from Natural Gas:
The predominant method for producing synthesis gas is steam reforming of natural
gas, although other hydrocarbons can be used as feedstock. For example, biomass and
coal can be gasified and used in a steam reforming process to create hydrogen.
Steam Reforming Gasification and Liquefaction:
Steam reforming gasification is a form of thermal decomposition in an
environment with limited or no oxygen. The concept is that material is indirectly heated
to very high temperatures, for example, 800C, at which point organic material
decomposes into gases such as H2, CO, CO2, and CH4, and ash containing minerals. A
benefit of this process is that any bio-active compound, such as antibiotics, prions, or
viruses, should be destroyed.
The steam reforming gasified used for research at NCSU uses an entrained flow
principle. The swine feces are injected into a spiral tube while suspended by superheated
steam and some recycled product gas (Figure 4). This tube surrounds an intense flame,
and while traveling up this tube the material is heated to 800C and decomposes. The
reason for co-injecting product gas is to propel the material through the tube. Steam is
injected so it can react with fecal material resulting in H 2 production. In principle, the
reaction occurring is as described below. In practicality, other product gases such as CO 2,
CH4, H2S, and NH3 are formed as well.
C2H4O + H2O 2CO + 3H2
At the exit of the decomposition tube, the product gas is separated from the mineral ash
using cyclones and gas cleaners. The product gas has a combustion value similar to low

grade natural gas and can be used to fuel a generator or micro-turbine for the production
of electricity. This is only a viable option if a market is available for electricity.

Fig1: Lay out of steam reforming method of hydrogen production

Another possibility is to catalytically recombine these gases to produce products such as

ethanol or diesel. This is typically achieved by compressing the gases and injecting them
at a high temperature into a matrix of, for example, molybdenum sulfide for the
production of ethanol or iron silicon dioxide for the production of diesel. This option is
technically and financially (higher investment) more challenging but as fuels are
produced that can be stored and transported, it may be the preferred option in situations
where there is no market for electricity.
The steam reforming gasified does not require external energy for its operation. Instead, a
portion of the product gas or, in the case of catalytic conversion of product gas to liquid
fuels, unreacted product gas, is used to fuel the burner that generates the heat to sustain
the process. Thus, the entire process is self-sustaining and equally important; the process
does not produce any air emission of noxious compounds such as dioxin

3.1.2. Hydrogen Electrolysis:

Producing Hydrogen from Water Using Electrolysis
Electrolysis uses electrical energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and
oxygen. The electrical energy can come from any electricity production source including
renewable fuels.Hydrogen electrolysis is the process of running an electrical current
through water (H2O) and separating the hydrogen from the oxygen. Hydrogen
electrolysis has met commercial resistance in the past but much of that resistance is now
fading. Hydrogen electrolysis now offers much hope for making real the dream of
hydrogen cars running upon the hydrogen highways of the world.

Fig 2: Lay out of hydrogen production using electrolysis method

One the front end of hydrogen electrolysis, many methods currently in use for electrical
production can be fitted for hydrogen production as well. Hydro-electrical power from
dams, wind-energy and solar energy sources can all be fitted with hydrogen electrolysis
units in order to produce enough hydrogen for your hydrogen cars to run on in the future.

4. Graphs of Hydrogen vs. Gasoline:

Fig 3: Fuel economy when using hydrogen vs. petrol as fuel (vertical scale shows energy
economy in km/MJ

Fig 4.Illustration of dramatic reduction in pollution levels when hydrogen is used instead of
petrol as fuel.

5. Merits and Demerits of Hydrogen:

Merits:

Reduce emissions to near zero, so cleaner air quality

Can now be safely stored & transported

Reduce US foreign oil dependence

Kilogram of H2 has almost same energy as gallon of gasoline

Demerits:

Manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cost more than fossil fuel

Transition from gasoline to hydrogen needs to change current engine

Storage space of hydrogen is greater

6. Hydrogen Hybrid Vehicle:

All chemical energy converted to electrical energy w/piston engine coupled w/

electric generator

Energy stored in ultra-capacitor or electromechanical battery (EMB)

EMB has 90% + energy recovery efficiency

7. Future Prospects for Hydrogen:

Hydrogen fuel has great potential as alternative fuel

Companies and govt are working to develop a car that can uses hydrogen fuel in
the near future

Development of hythane, which is blend of 30% hydrogen and 70% methane.

8. Hydrogen Research and Development:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its partners are overcoming the
challenges of incorporating hydrogen into the U.S. energy system. The major categories
of DOE-sponsored research and development (R&D) are listed below.

8.1 Hydrogen production:

Challenge: Producing hydrogen in ways that make it cost-competitive with
conventional fuels and technologies while minimizing the environmental
impacts of production.
DOE R&D:

DOE Hydrogen ProgramHydrogen Production

DOE Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies (HFCIT)

ProgramHydrogen Production R&D Activities

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)Hydrogen

Production and Delivery

8.2 Hydrogen Delivery:

Challenge: Cost-effectively distributing hydrogen from the point of
production to the point of end-use, such as into fuel cell vehicles.
DOE R&D:

DOE Hydrogen ProgramHydrogen Delivery

DOE HFCIT ProgramHydrogen Delivery R&D Activities

8.3 Hydrogen Storage:

Challenge: Storing enough hydrogen onboard vehicles to enable a driving
range of 300 miles or more without taking up excessive space or adding
excessive weight.
DOE R&D:

DOE Hydrogen ProgramHydrogen Storage

DOE HFCIT ProgramHydrogen Storage R&D Activities

Conclusion:
We now fully understand hydrogen for what it is. We have explained away some of
the myths revolving around hydrogen. We have explored political, economic,
environmental, health and safety complications and seen that hydrogen exceeds in all
aspects. Then the answer should be obvious, hydrogen is the key to a bright future
creating a renewable, self-sufficient recourse that will one day in the near future make oil
obsolete.
We have seen how hydrogen, when produced efficiently to its full potential, is able
to compete with oil in a global market, at a fraction of the price. Hydrogen truly is the
perfect fuel, the fuel that may save us in Iraq, the fuel that brought us to the moon, the
fuel that will save us from our own destruction, the fuel that will guide us through the

twenty-first century and beyond, for as long as the sun continues to shine, and there is
someone willing to reap its treasure.