1. Hydrogen Energy: An Overview
Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D.
Wilkes University

3. Points to be covered Some hydrogen chemistry
Hydrogen as an energy source
Producing hydrogen
Benefits of hydrogen as an alternative fuel
Hydrogen power initiatives
Disadvantages of hydrogen
The WebQuest

4. Some hydrogen chemistry
Lightest element (consists of only one proton and one) electron
Isotopes include one or more neutrons
Most abundant element in universe (75% by mass)
Component of most stars; as plasma
discovermagazine.com

5. Hydrogen on earth
Easily reacts with most other elements, particularly oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, most metals.
Carbon-hydrogen compounds are basis of organic chemistry.
Basis of acid-base reactions.
Occurs in diatomic form in atmosphere
At typical temperatures and pressures, H2 is a gas.
Rare (ca. 1 ppm) due to ease of escape

6. Molecular hydrogen is combustible
2 H2(g) + O2 (g) → 2 H2O(l)
H = -286 kJ/mol
Burns at concentrations
as low as 4%.
Produces flame visible
only in UV spectrum

7. Primary industrial uses of hydrogen
Create ammonia
3 H2 + N2 → 2 NH3
Cracking of high molecular weight hydrocarbons to form low m.w. hydrocarbons

8. Hydrogen as an energy source
Fuel for internal combustion engines
Fuel cells

9. Hydrogen internal combustion engines
Honda
Cadillac
London Olympics

10. Hydrogen fuel cells
Animation

11. Have many kinds of fuel cells
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
Run at low temperatures, used in automotive applications
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Use ceramic electrolyte, central generating stations
Alkaline Fuel Cells
Long used by NASA in spacecraft
Regenerative fuel cells
Self contained, uses water and sunlight
Microbial fuel cells
Use bacteria and yeast under anaerobic cond.

12. How is hydrogen produced?
Reacting metals with acids
Zn + 2 H+ → Zn2+ + H2
Processing hydrocarbons
CH4 + H2O → CO + 3 H2
H = kJ/mol
Hydrolysis of water
2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)
G = kJ/mol

13. Commercial hydrogen production
As a byproduct of coal gasification and natural gas processing
Through use of electricity generated by burning fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, hydropower, geothermal, wind

14. The hydrogen economy

15. Elements of the hydrogen economy
Hydrogen generation
Centralized
Distributed
Hydrogen storage
Hydrogen distribution

16. Benefits of hydrogen as a fuel
Hydrogen exists in an unlimited supply
Hydrogen is renewable
Hydrogen is clean-burning
Water is main byproduct
No carbon dioxide released into air
Hydrogen weighs less and generates more power than hydrocarbon-based fuels.
Hydrogen burns faster and at a lower temperature than conventional gasoline

17. The vision Convert vehicles to hydrogen power
Establish extensive distribution system for hydrogen
Produce massive amounts of hydrogen
No worries about carbon if using nuclear, wind, geothermal, hydropower
Use carbon sequestration techniques if using fossil fuels

18. Initiatives Hydrogen.gov Minnesota Renewable Hydrogen initiative
National Hydrogen Association
BP and GE Hydrogen initiative
Icelandic Hydrogen Energy
Germany Clean Energy partnership
Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell demo project

19. Disadvantages of hydrogen power
Hydrogen is difficult to contain; tanks are bulky
Hydrogen reacts with metal in tanks causing them to become brittle
Hydrogen is explosive, can be unsafe
Fuel cells are expensive, especially due to platinum catalysts
Hydrogen is an energy carrier; have inherent inefficiencies in generation.
Production via fossil fuel combustion still releases carbon dioxide - large scale sequestration may not be feasible.
Establishing distribution facility will cost trillions of dollars

20.
Pellet of ammonia borane weighting 240mg. Can store 0.5 L of hydrogen in small volume.

21. So, is hydrogen power the answer to our energy concerns?
You tell me!