Hydrogen Energy Production from the Black Sea
Turkish scientists have developed a system for converting hydrogen-sulfide, a highly
toxic gas abundant in the Black Sea, into hydrogen fuel and sulfur. Their efforts seem to
be significantly more successful and viable than any previous research due to the
improved recovery of hydrogen, though the process of separating out hydrogen and
sulfur is not new. 2002 source discussing previous barriers to decomposition process
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas that occurs naturally in oil fields, natural gas, and
hot springs, in addition to being generated by bacterial breakdown of organic substances
and industrial activities such as oil/gas drilling and refining, among others. Source
There is an especially large and menacing quantity of hydrogen sulfide in the bottom
layer of the Black Sea, 40-200 meters below the surface. The deposit has built up and
continues to build because of organic material accumulating and decomposing, in the
absence of oxidation. This has been viewed as a probable long-term threat to the
residents of the region because of the toxicity of the gas. Source
The researchers have found a way to split the hydrogen and the sulfide, producing both
hydrogen energy and a marketable sulfide product. This process, developed over five
years, is more efficient than hydrogen production from water, and has the added benefit
of using a toxin rather than water. Source
Of the five different methods of achieving the break-up of hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen
and sulfur (thermal, photochemical, electrochemical, plasma, and thermochemical)
thermal decomposition is the most direct, though a thermochemical process is generally
the most commonly used (more info here in section 3).
The requisite thermal energy can be supplied through solar panels to minimize
production of carbon dioxide, and though solar panels are expensive, the scientists are
optimistic that this process will be cost-effective, especially since sulfur is a marketable
good. Source (in Turkish)
Mehmet Haklidir’s original proposal paper explaining in relatively simple terms why this
process is viable, presented in 2006, is available here.
The next step is for Turkey to assess the viability of implementing these catalysts on a
large scale. Currently, pilot programs are under development. Source (in Turkish)
Black Sea Pollution Could Be Harnessed As Renewable Future Energy Source
ScienceDaily
March 17, 2009
Source
The Black Sea harbours vast quantities of hydrogen sulfide, the toxic gas associated
with the smell of rotten eggs. This noxious gas could be used as a renewable source
of hydrogen gas to fuel a future carbon-free economy, according to Turkish
researchers writing in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Nuclear
Hydrogen Production and Applications.
The waters of the Black Sea contain very little oxygen. As such, the rare forms of life that
live in the depths of the inland sea, so-called extremophile bacteria, survive by
metabolising sulfate in the water. The sulfate fulfils a similar biochemical role to oxygen
in respiration for these microbes allowing them to release the energy they need to live
and grow from the nutrients they absorb from the water.
With organic matter and waste pouring into the Black Sea from waterways running off 17
countries, the Black Sea has a serious environmental contamination problelm.
Mehmet Haklidir of the TUBITAK Marmara Research Center in Gebze-Kocaeli, and
Füsun Servin Tut Haklidir of COWI SNS Ltd in Gayrettepe-Istanbul, Turkey, suggest that
with a little of the right chemistry this problem could be recouched as an environmental
solution.
The Black Sea has a layer some 50 metres thick that lies between the anaerobic and
aerobic water at a depth of about 200 metres along its axis. As such it represents a vast
untapped fuel reserve. The total hydrogen sulfide production in the sediments of
the sea is estimated at about 10,000 tonnes per day and this figure is continually
rising. That equates to potentially well over 500 tonnes of daily hydrogen gas
production.
The researchers explain that what is now required is the development of a safe, and
energy-efficient method for collecting the hydrogen sulfide from the Black Sea. In
addition, there is a need to find effective catalysts and to build solar energy plants
that could be used to quickly dissociated the hydrogen from the sulfide, leaving
just a residual sulfur, that has industrial applications in the rubber and
pharmaceutical industries.
Scientists look to turn pollution into power
Wired
March 27, 2009
Source
Turkish scientists say they have discovered a process that could clean the heavily
polluted Black Sea and produce clean energy in the process, but other researchers say
the process may do more harm than good.
The Black Sea sits, landlocked, between the northern coast of Turkey and south-eastern
Europe. For about 40 years, toxic waste from no fewer than 17 countries has polluted its
waters. This has reduce levels of dissolved oxygen, a vital ingredient for complex life.
The lack of oxygen, along with organic matter flowing in from the rivers and, most
importantly, the existence of extremophiles (bacteria known for surviving in extreme
conditions), has allowed hydrogen sulphide to collect in the lower depths.
It was the presence of hydrogen sulphide that caught the attention of Mehmet Haklidir
and Füsun Servin Tut Haklidir, researchers from the Tübitak Marmara Research Center
Information Technologies Institute, in Turkey. They realised that the toxic chemical could
be a rich source of hydrogen, a clean form of energy.
"We need clean energy, and we have a pollution problem," Mehmet Haklidir told
National Geographic.
The report details a number of methods for extracting hydrogen from the poisonous
sulphur compound. The most direct is through thermal decomposition, for which the
hydrogen sulphide is heated to temperatures between 800C and 1500C, which causes
the the hydrogen to separate from the sulphur.
That process itself may not be in the best interests of the environment. According
to Jeff Hardy, network manager for the UK Energy Research Centre, thermal
decomposition "is expensive to achieve and can have significant carbon
emissions if fossil fuels are used to reach [the necessary] temperatures."
"I wonder whether it‘s appropriate to remove one pollutant (hydrogen sulphide) at the
expense of releasing another (carbon dioxide)," he said.
Researchers in the study disagree, and also harbor hopes for a steam methane
reforming (SMR) process, another method for hydrogen production.
Mr Hardy, however, raised further concerns about the method saying by-products of the
process could be harmful, even if they did have economic value and added “I ask again,
where does the steam come from? You need heat to raise steam.”
Hardy said that Turkey's climate may allow it to make use of a low-carbon
"concentrating-solar-power plant", which uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a single
spot, raising it to a very high temperature. Even so, he said, there would be other
environmental problems: "It sounds like it would involve dredging/digging out a lot of
sediment. This must have an effect on the local biodiversity," Hardy said.
The Turkish scientists have not revealed their plans for extracting hydrogen sulphide nor
detailed whether an ecologically sound method could be implemented, but they said
their work would provoke discussion on the subject.
"The research is still in its early stages," Mehmet Haklidir said. "The aim of this study is
to set up a platform to discuss this problem and make something to solve it. Energy is
the main problem and will be most important in the future. Meanwhile, hydrogen
sulphide is one of the world's most poisonous substances and it is the reason for
the observed decrease of life in Black Sea.”
Technology for Recovery of Hydrogen Sulfide from the Black Sea Water
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (via ScienceNewsline.com)
June 8, 2010
Source Original Source as PDF
The problems with the increasing content of hydrogen sulfide in the Black Sea water
were a subject of discussion for the ecologists for a long time. There are concerns that
due to the increasing eutrophication the upper front of the hydrogen sulfide layer is rising
being fatal for the life in these waters. On the other hand, the amount of hydrogen
sulfide in the marine water is enormous and it would be practically inexhaustible
resource of energy at appropriate technology of recovery. The enthalpy of hydrogen
sulfide combustion is 25.02 МJ/nm3, whereas that for methane is 39.8 МJ/nm3 and for
hydrogen – 12.8 МJ/nm3.
A technology for hydrogen sulfide recovery as anodic oxidation of sulfide and
hydrosulfide ions to elemental sulfur or sulfate by electrolysis of marine water has been
developed. The end product depends on the anode potential, and its efficiency – on the
other process conditions, i.e. the electrolyzer construction, the process time, etc.
The oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur leads to a market product, but with the
necessity of extraction, storage, transport, etc.
The oxidation of sulfide to sulfate leads to recovery of sulfate in the marine water with no
change in water acidity, but without market product.
The hydrogen ions are reduced to hydrogen on the cathode, which could be used as a
energy source. The advantage of hydrogen to hydrogen sulfide and all other fuels is the
lack of emissions of sulfur oxides, green-house gases and residual volatile organic
compounds. The produced hydrogen could be additionally utilized as a fuel for a fuel
cell, supporting the electrolysis.
The idea is to install the equipment on a ship or floating rig in sea at site
corresponding to appropriate depth, where the hydrogen sulfide concentration is
sufficiently high.
Further development of the process could be sought in optimization of the ratio electrode
area/ reactor volume, the electrode material, the mixing speed, etc. Another
development of the overall process is in the utilization of the produced hydrogen –
storage, fuel cell utilization.
Major discovery in the Black Sea
Aksam Ekonomi (Evening Economy)
August 29, 2011 Monday
Source (in Turkish)
Carrying out R & D efforts on hydrogen energy in the deep waters of the Black Sea
, Dr. Mukerrem Şahin and his team, Turkish researchers developed intensively in
the hydrogen-sulphide water passing through a catalyst system, hydrogen gas
was able to achieve economic (economically viable?) conditions.
Feasibility reports carried out by researchers, the existing potential in the Black Sea
indicates, the region's 100-year meet electricity needs. Dr. Mukerrem Sahin said
geological formations in the Black Sea due to the formation of hydrogen-sulfide
continuously observed increased.
The latest research results, gradually rising in the Black Sea showed the formation of
hydrogen-sulfide transfers Sahin said, also the Black Sea, the sources encountered
even under 30-40 meters (as the supply of hydrogen sulfide builds).
Dr. Sahin, approximately at the end of 5 years of research, deep waters of the Black Sea
hydrogen sulphide in the intensive R & D activities aimed at producing an energy
separation of hydrogen reported that they have completed. Sahin, gave the following
information relating to research:
"Our study, the energy from the high values for the current account deficit is discussed
as an important issue and an indigenous resource is used these days husunda raised
our hopes. Hydrogen sulphide water, a catalyst system developed by passing through
the economic conditions we managed to get hydrogen gas.
“In our project, 40 meters under the Black Sea, in regard to participation in the economy
of the country's first serious consequences of resource assessment and has been
reached. So far, only Russia for the findings of reserves in the Black Sea, Georgia,
Ukraine, studies were made in countries such as Romania. I need to work
simultaneously on this issue in our country."
Sahin said their feasibility studies show the existing potential of the Black Sea region can
meet electricity needs of 100-year old.
Whether a series of conferences on the subject, trying to attract university students who
express interest in this subject Sahin said, "It has become a state policy and
established a pilot plant studies to assess this potential needs to be done.”
Hydrogen is extracted from hydrogen-sulphide, water Sahin pointed out that much more
economical production of hydrogen, "we've delivered yanabiliyor hydrogen, thermal
power plants can be used. Also obtained from the fuel, can be used in vehicles, "he said.
REGION ALLEGED poison used within 20-30 years
The literature that they parse out his size, hydrogen and sulfur, and it implemented a
research and came up stating Sahin, said:
"Hydrogen-sulfide, dissolved in water is due to the pressure at the bottom of the sea.
Any time you take a pipeline there, you drill and water to the surface, hydrogen-sulfide
begins to diverge, water. Already this source, is not used as energy within 20-30 years,
the whole area of research reports that have zehirleyeceğine. Hydrogen-sulfide,
producing bacteria at the bottom of the sea. The hydrogen produced in the separation of
the ocean bottom will be cleaned and it kalınmayıp energy. "
Hydrogen in the bottom waters of the Black Sea that have completed the work of
achieving the prototype Hawk, "Turkey, this study concentrated on how to become
operational will bring. Black Sea coast region, the most suitable areas for the
establishment of pilot plants in our studies have determined the feasibility, "he said.
"RUBBER & CHEMICAL INDUSTRY RAW MATERIAL WILL BE IN"
Sahin, hydrogen-sulphide release of high levels of hydrogen production, but also
revealed the economic value of the sulfur in the sulfur also noted that the so-called.
Emphasizing that the sulfur in rubber industry, basic chemicals Sahin, "Hydrogen as
energy when the hydrogen-sulphide, which is a contribution in the amount of sulfur in the
economic. Thus, hydrogen production is almost free, "he said.
The Black Sea "which is fed PLANT NOT IMAGINE"
Sahin, all kinds of activities the cost and the completion of feasibility studies, the Black
Sea region, the establishment of direct-fed power plants "would be imagined," he said.
Black Sea coastal countries, especially research that is conducting extensive studies to
evaluate this resource Hawk, "who study Litaratürü will see. We also ask that Turkey
initiated work on this issue. Oil is running low, instead begins to use alternative energy
sources have the potential to let us evaluate our yanıbaşmızdaki source. Otherwise,
after 20 years we will continue to be too late olunacağından ready technologies, "he
said.
Announcing the name of the scientists on hydrogen energy projects also carry out a joint
study voicing Sahin, also the Founding Director of the Center for Hydrogen Energy
Technologies in Istanbul, the International which, and then returned to the United States
Professor. Dr. Said they received great support in the work of Nejat Veziroğlu'ndan.
PROF. DR. Veziroglu: "COST ANALYSIS SHOULD"
Sahin, who closely follow the work of Mukerrem and still living in the U.S. Chair of the
World Association for Hydrogen Energy. Dr. Nejat Veziroglu also answered questions of
AA correspondent on the subject.
Veziroglu, currently the world's various regions of the United States in Miami, followed by
studies on hydrogen research and organizes conferences to attract the attention of the
world's energy.
Pointing to the various methods of hydrogen of producing Veziroglu, the energy source
renewable energy sources, wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy sources can be
obtained as the bottom waters, such as hydrogen sulphide in the Black Sea could be
attained.
Stressing the importance of producing a cost-effective production of hydrogen Veziroglu,
"if Turkey makes the investment and low cost production of hydrogen can do it, get rid of
energy dependence. Trade deficit is also completely off. This is a very important issue,
"he said.
Dr. Sahin Mukerrem emphasizing that it is very important in this respect the invention
also Veziroglu, "Of course you have to make a commercial to make the large-scale
experiments. These are also very important "assessment made.
On the evaluation of this potential in the Black Sea Black Sea Technical University, Rize
University and Yildiz Technical University researchers working with researchers in the
Black Sea riparian countries voicing Veziroglu, "However, these studies are still under
investigation. Yet had not become commercial. This is the most economical way to
produce hydrogen in the system of research have got, "he said.
This research should be supported to perform large-scale expression of the Veziroglu,
"Large-scale experiments as a commercial project, how the hydrogen produced need to
be prepared. Dr. Sahin's study hydrogen, catalyst method is achieved. Other studies
have used other methods. Which method is cheaper than hydrogen can be produced
here, which is important. The market will keep the cheapest method. This is a very
important sense, Şahin's work.
This study was done commercially for the production of more large-scale
production and cost calculations should be done. With this method, the hydrogen
produced in the first place, what will be cost? I need to show it. If you produce
cheaper than natural gas, natural gas to Turkey, and outside of oil and natural gas
will replace coal, oil and coal imports do not need us to. "
Veziroglu, Sahin study released World Association for Hydrogen Energy International
Journal of Hydrogen Energy was sent, and here given by various researchers decided to
examine whether the publication said.
NAME OF THIS ERA OF "HYDROGEN" AGE
For many years, worked on hydrogen and boron, and a number of international
broadcasting technologies, Gazi University Faculty of Education Professor at the
Faculty. Dr. Mehmet Levent Aksu, transferring their views on the subject, the scientific
communities in the last century, the "atomic age" was called, in this century, the
"hydrogen age", he said. Aksu, the most abundant element in the universe hydrogen as
an energy source pointed out that the very large.
Can be achieved using water electrolysis, hydrogen is usually about the Aksu, consisting
of two hydrogen and one oxygen elemental hydrogen in water for the separation of these
studies require very high electric energy, he said very laborious and difficult.
Hydrogen-sulfide in the water most of the trouble was not found in Aksu, Dr. Sahin
conducted in this respect was very important especially in project. In the study, special
catalysts are used to separate the hydrogen sulphide describing Aksu, gave the
following information:
"Hydrogen is a fuel and is therefore very important. All we know is made hydrogen
rocket fuels. That the name of our age in the hydrogen. Hydrogen, the most efficient fuel
known. 10 thousand times as much as the yield of oil or gasoline provides a high yield.
However, the problem of liquefaction of certain catalysts, to a large extent taken care of
the storage problem. "
Hydrogen-powered cars are being made in the United States which expressed that the
center of a large number of hydrogen filling Aksu, "all of the methods available to obtain
hydrogen sulphide hydrogen more easily," he said.
Bottom waters of the Black Sea is an extremely important project for the project stated
that the Aksu, reported the following views:
"Hydrogen sulfide is a compound with a lot of deep waters of the Black Sea. To be taken
in this feasibility study of hydrogen is extremely convenient. There are a lot of work to be
done. In this study, hydrogen research, I can say as a touchstone. I think Turkey can be
cheaper than oil in an appropriate manner. This should be done for the price and
feasibility research. I think it would be cheaper than oil. "