What is Hydrogen?
Understanding Hydrogen (H2) Gas as an Alternative Fuel Source
The simplest and lightest fuel is hydrogen gas (H2). Hydrogen is in a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures. Hydrogen may contain low levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, depending on the source.
Hydrogen is being explored for use in combustion engines and fuel cell electric vehicles. On a volumetric basis, the energy density of hydrogen is very low under ambient conditions. This presents greater transportation and storage hurdles than for liquid fuels. Storage systems being developed include compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, and physical or chemical bonding between hydrogen and a storage material (for example, metal hydrides).
The ability to create hydrogen from a variety of resources and its clean-burning properties make it a desirable alternative fuel. Although there is no significant transportation distribution system currently for hydrogen transportation use, we can transport and deliver hydrogen for early market penetration using the established hydrogen infrastructure; for significant market penetration, the infrastructure will need further development.
Article Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)
The Basics of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Plus Some of the Benefits of Using H2 Fuel Cell Technology
By Hans Dekker
Like many emerging alternative energy sources, hydrogen fuel cells are a relatively new technology. In fact, fuel cells were originally developed for the space program.
Fuel cells are somewhat similar to batteries in that they produce electricity by a chemical reaction combined with an electrical charge. The difference with batteries is that power is only produced while the fuel cell is being fed with hydrogen. You can find more in depth information about their workings on our site.
The amount of electricity the fuel cell produces depends on the size of the cell as well as the rate of flow of the hydrogen. The chemical reaction between hydrogen and the air produces electricity, water and heat.
The heat output from a fuel cell, however, is quite low when compared with other energy sources such as fossil fuels.
Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
There are several advantages of hydrogen fuel cells over other power supplies. First of all they are clean - the only by products are water and a little bit of heat.
Secondly, they are very efficient. Gasoline engines, for example, operate at an efficiency rate of about 20%. Fuel cells have an efficiency rate between 45% and 53%.
Hydrogen fuel cells can be used anywhere electricity is required. Since their size is scalable they can be made small enough to power an MP3 player or big enough to power a town. They can also be used to provide rotary power for vehicles.
The automobile industry is looking at fuel cells as a replacement for the internal combustion engine. If they become popular, cars powered with fuel cells will reduce our dependency on petroleum and cut down on pollution.
Hydrogen fuel cells have also been installed to provide power for industrial buildings and even whole neighborhoods.
Fuel cells are expected to replace petroleum as a power source within 50 to 100 years. They have broad commercial and social applications. They could be used to bring electricity to remote settlements around the world as well as to provide a source of renewable power for portable devices.
Government support and commercial interest has guaranteed the success of this sustainable, clean energy source.
This all might sound great, but there is a catch. We need energy to produce hydrogen. At the moment the most widely used energy source to produce that hydrogen are fossil fuels.
So fuel cells are certainly an option, but we will need a lot of extra research to find ways to safely produce the hydrogen we need.
Hans is author and owner ofhttp://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/. His site provides introductions and more in-depth articles about renewable energy sources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Dekker
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hydrogen-Fuel-Cells&id=95534
How is Hydrogen Made?
Alternative Fuel Information: Hydrogen Production
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.
Today the two most common methods used to produce hydrogen fuel are:
- steam reforming of natural gas
- electrolysis of water
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 feedstocks. For example, biomass and coal can be gasified and used in a steam reforming process to create hydrogen.
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.
Article Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)
