1 Hydrogen Economy Ryan Morrison ChE /20/2006 Methanol Economy vs.

2 Outline Introduction Introduction Hydrogen Hydrogen Production, Storage, Distribution Production, Storage, Distribution Methanol Methanol Production, Storage, Distribution Production, Storage, Distribution Fuel Cells Fuel Cells Conclusions Conclusions

3 Introduction Persistent fossil fuel burning Persistent fossil fuel burning Adverse effects on the climate (global warming) Adverse effects on the climate (global warming) World needs to dig itself out World needs to dig itself out Will cost an arm & a leg Will cost an arm & a leg Hydrogen/Methanol are proposed solutions Hydrogen/Methanol are proposed solutions

4 Hydrogen Infinitely abundant Infinitely abundant Ideally clean burning fuel Ideally clean burning fuel No CO 2 with H 2 O as a by-product No CO 2 with H 2 O as a by-product Boiling Point o C Liquid -253 o C 70.8 kg/m 3 Flammability Limits 4 – 74 % Ignition Energy milli calorie

5 Hydrogen Production Worldwide production is 50 million tonnes per year Worldwide production is 50 million tonnes per year Steam reforming of fossil fuels Steam reforming of fossil fuels Produces CO 2, so potential for capture/sequestration Produces CO 2, so potential for capture/sequestration Electrolysis of water Electrolysis of water Highly energy intensive, but highly efficient Highly energy intensive, but highly efficient

6 Hydrogen Storage Compressed H 2 in carbon fiber tanks Compressed H 2 in carbon fiber tanks 5,000 – 10,000 psi 5,000 – 10,000 psi Liquid H 2 Liquid H o C cooling required, or else boil-off -253 o C cooling required, or else boil-off Absorption Absorption Solid state uptake/release Solid state uptake/release

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8 Hydrogen Storage Compressed H 2 in carbon fiber tanks Compressed H 2 in carbon fiber tanks 5,000 – 10,000 psi 5,000 – 10,000 psi Liquid H 2 Liquid H o C cooling required, or else boil-off -253 o C cooling required, or else boil-off Absorption Absorption Solid state uptake/release Solid state uptake/release

9 Hydrogen Distribution Centralized & decentralized locations Centralized & decentralized locations Both have their differences in CO 2 capture, transportation methods, and safety Both have their differences in CO 2 capture, transportation methods, and safety Common ground is magnitude of capital investment Common ground is magnitude of capital investment

10 Methanol Liquid fuel Liquid fuel Precursor to ethylene/propylene Precursor to ethylene/propylene Boiling Point 64.6 o C Liquid Density 791 kg/m 3 Latent Heat of Vaporization 9.2 kcal/mol Flammability Limits 7 – 36 %

11 Methanol Production Worldwide production is 32 million tonnes per year Worldwide production is 32 million tonnes per year Steam reforming of fossil fuels Steam reforming of fossil fuels Syngas reacts with H 2 Syngas reacts with H 2 Direct conversion from CO 2 Direct conversion from CO 2 From captured flue gas or atmosphere From captured flue gas or atmosphere

12 Methanol Storage & Distribution Current filling stations and storage vessels can be re-used or retrofit Current filling stations and storage vessels can be re-used or retrofit Only minor changes to materials of construction or coatings Only minor changes to materials of construction or coatings

13 Fuel Cells Uses chemical energy to produce electricity directly Uses chemical energy to produce electricity directly Low operating temperature, volume, weight Low operating temperature, volume, weight High efficiency High efficiency Methanol fuel cells are more reasonable now until H 2 issues are settled Methanol fuel cells are more reasonable now until H 2 issues are settled

14 Conclusions Hydrogen has too many issues Hydrogen has too many issues Methanol would be a good substitute fuel for gasoline Methanol would be a good substitute fuel for gasoline Neither are 100% proven, so hybrid devices will control markets Neither are 100% proven, so hybrid devices will control markets Fate of methanol or hydrogen is coupled with fate of fuel cells Fate of methanol or hydrogen is coupled with fate of fuel cells

15 Questions