Hydrogen Overview

Motivation

The current drive to eliminate petroleum dependence has led to the investigation and development of alternative fuel  technologies. One of the most visible technology pathways is that of using hydrogen. Hydrogen has potential benefits associated with the following:

1. High energy density per mass (33kWh/kg) compared to gasoline, ethanol, diesel, and natural gas;

2. Low particulate emissions for direct hydrogen use;

3. Hydrogen is very volatile

However, there are challenges involved with harnessing hydrogen as a replacement for petroleum and natural gas uses.  Some of these challenges are:

1. Hydrogen is not a naturally occurring energy source  but is an energy carrier. Hydrogen is produced via electrolysis or reforming of hydrocarbon fuels.

2. The low energy density per volume (0.8-2.25kWh/L) means that large high pressurized containers are needed to store the hydrogen.

3. High cost per unit of energy of production, storage and delivery relative to conventional fossil fuel use. There is also the problem of emissions due to the production of hydrogen from primary energy sources.

4. Hydrogen infrastructure and market demand still needs time to reach maturation. Although there is a healthy, growing market for hydrogen in refineries and chemical plants, there is little demand for hydrogen as an energy carrier. Long-term demand growth will depend on the development and implementation of hydrogen storage and conversion devices, so that products such as hydrogen-powered cars and generators meet market requirements. Without the increased demand coming from widespread transportation applications, there is little incentive for industry to invest in new production infrastructure technologies.

There is a need to further develop hydrogen production using from renewable energy resources in order to achieve a secure, abundant, clean, and inexpensive alternative to petroleum. While wind, solar, and geothermal resources can produce hydrogen via electrolysis, and biomass can directly produce hydrogen, these methods are cost-prohibitive when used to mass produce hydrogen.  Instead, existing technologies can produce hydrogen from hydrocarbons using processes cleanly and inexpensively such as:

Steam methane reformation and gasification.

Autothermal Reformation

Partial Oxidation

Thermo-chemical water splitting

Photo-electrical electrolysis

Research Motivation

The goal of the Hydrogen Production and Utilization Laboratory is to understand the fundamental science underlying hydrogen production and utilization methods, train future scientists and engineers, and allow technological breakthroughs which may:

1. Allow utilization of alternative fuel vehicles and power supplies.

2. Allow utilization of domestic and renewable fuels in hydrogen fuel cell systems and in internal combustion engines.

3. Minimize the environmental impact of hydrogen production, storage, and delivery.

Properties of Hydrogen

Link to  Hydrogen Properties from DOE ,   General Chemical Properties