Applied Mechanics and Materials
ISSN: 1662-7482, Vol. 273, pp 70-74
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.273.70
© 2013 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
Online: 2013-01-11
Development Status of Hydrogen Energy and Application Prospects
Shanshan Li
Shenyang Institute of Engineering, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110136 China
[email protected]
Keywords: New Energy; Hydrogen; Application
Abstract. The energy problem is the basis development of the material productive forces of human
society, from the use of fuel and power resources, is focused and plays the highest combustion.
Having entered the era of knowledge economy, economic development more like the teachings of
the CPC Central Committee, on the basis of people-oriented, earnestly implement the scientific
concept of development, adhere to the comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development,
and to adhere to the development and construction of circular economy. To maximize the potential
of the understanding of material and the relationship between development and changes, firmly
grasp the general direction, and strive to promote each other to make a greater contribution to the
human society and the natural.
Introductions
With the dramatic growth in global population and the rapid development of the human society,
human over-exploitation of fossil resources and unreasonable use of the phenomenon, has led to a
serious shortage of fossil resources and frequent natural disasters such as the greenhouse effect and
acid rain, If you do not control, human living environment will deteriorate further, human beings
must find a better replaced by a new type of energy is about to run out of fossil energy, and to
ensure that this energy without destroying the living environment. Hydrogen has the advantage of
endless resources, heat of combustion, and pollution-free environment, of course as the preferred
alternatives. Hydrogen can get a promotion, is closely related to the current hydrogen production
and hydrogen storage technology. Hydrogen storage technology, the key is hydrogen storage
materials, which directly affects the security and economy of the hydrogen energy applications.
Hydrogen Production Technology
Technical Aspects of Hydrogen Production from Water
Invention Photoelectric Hydrogen Production Technology
Pennsylvania State University researchers, by automatically arranged vertically oriented
titanium-iron oxide nanotube arrays composed film under sunlight irradiation split water into
hydrogen and oxygen. This new optoelectronic solutions cost water technology, less pollution, but
also continue to improve.
Improved the Technology of Water Electrolysis Hydrogen Sensors
French National Scientific Research Center developed a way to get water electrolysis hydrogen
new technology can greatly reduce the cost of hydrogen production. The reports pointed out that the
scientists of ordinary electrolytic cell to improve the installation of the sensor, in order to accurately
measure the temperature, pressure and current intensity. The help of these instruments, you can
optimize the electrolyze environment, to get as much hydrogen. The key point of this technology is
to increase the pressure of the water in the electrolysis process. The experiment proved that this
method is very effective, a large number to obtain hydrogen.
Development A Low-Cost Hydrogen Production from Water Catalyst
The study showed that the platinum, ruthenium, and located in the Periodic Table, the other
metals of the same zone, has a unique surface properties, and gives these materials can catalyze a
large number of chemical reactions. They are widely used, such as for automobile exhaust gas
purification and fuel cell. However, the cost of these metals is high, so people began to explore
cost-effective alternatives.
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The Use of Biological Development of Hydrogen Energy
Currently, hydrogen fuel is many, such as the decomposition of water, pyrolysis oil and coal, and
the decomposition of plant, but the most environmentally friendly and most sustainable way or the
electrolysis of water, because the water as a raw material of hydrogen can be recycled. Energy
companies get from nature to split water into hydrogen fuel, hydrogen fuel combustion into the
water back to nature. Even better, the water decomposition for hydrogen fuel not only does not
produce pollutants, industrial raw materials and generates oxygen this good; hydrogen fuel
combustion does not generate pollutants. However, hydrogen fuel can not be obtained naturally; it
also needs to have the energy to split water to get. This sounds a bit superfluous, because more than
a link to more energy consumption, with the direct use of energy is not cost-effective? Why do you
want to manufacture hydrogen fuel? This is because some special occasion’s population flows,
hydrogen can protect the cleanliness of the atmospheric environment of these occasions, to
effectively protecting people's health in the population density of the region. Prominent advantages
of hydrogen as a secondary energy, such as compressed hydrogen fuel volume is small, light weight,
high fuel value, easy to store and transport.
The Use of Virus Development of Hydrogen Energy
Researchers selected virus is named M13, which is extracted from a bacterial virus that has no
effect on human health. Let it molecular adsorption of a catalyst of iridium oxide and a lightabsorbing material zinc porphyry light-absorbing material to an endless stream of sunlight pass
along the virus, the researchers of this virus genetically modified. In such a process, the virus acts as
a solar energy transmission channel, the solar energy from the light-absorbing substance can be
transferred to the catalyst. Under the combined effect of the catalyst and solar, water is decomposed
into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is liquefied and compressed into a green energy efficient
and clean.
Application Aqueous Alcohol into Hydrogen-Rich Fuel
The aqueous alcohol after catalytic reforming hydrogen-rich fuels has opened the way to more
extensive use of forestry biomass energy. Especially by microbial fermentation pretreatment core
technology can not only break down cellulose and possible decomposition of lignin, will be able to
pay more to expand sources of biomass. Do not have food, and not of farmland destroyed
mountains prairie wetlands, reduce soil organic fertility, do not pollute the environment, practically,
and availability of low-cost aqueous alcohol, the full application of a fundamental nature under
conditions led industrial, urban and rural, industrial and agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and
fisheries, and improve soil closely integrated, mutually complementary, to create a comprehensive,
coordinated and sustainable development of the new system, new materials, new energy, to
establish the field of recycling economy to expand.
Cyan Bacteria and Biological Hydrogen Production
The application of Cyan bacteria photosynthesis is mainly shown in hydrogen energy
development. As we all know, to make hydrogen to become widely used in energy, there must be a
cheap and easy hydrogen technology. Today's industrial hydrogen the water gas law and the
electrolysis of water, but this! Ways high energy consumption, high cost. So that Hydrogen promote
restricted. The scientific community generally accepted alternative photolysis of water into
hydrogen and bio-hydrogen production. Biohydrogen production makes it possible to reduce of
Hydrogen energy consumption and cost become.
Hydrogen Is Produced from Hydrogen Sulfide
Apart from water electrolysis hydrogen production, you can also use hydrogen from hydrogen
sulfide system. Hydrogen sulfide content of hydrogen sulfide in the oil fields and natural gas wells
is more. Hydrogen sulfide content reaches 25% in deep natural gas. This gas has a strong odor,
serious air pollution, directly endangering the health of the oil field workers. Variable harm into the
Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, the former Soviet Union and Belarus Institute of Technology
have invented a way: the introduction of hydrogen sulfide gas in an electromagnetic field, the
hydrogen sulfide molecules by the intensification of the role of the electromagnetic field in each
molecule internal temperature reaches several thousand degrees Celsius, it is decomposed into
hydrogen and sulfur. hydrogen is obtained from the hydrogen sulfide in this way is less than that by
water electrolysis hydrogen consumption to several tens of percent, and another industrially useful
byproduct of sulfur can be obtained.
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Manufacturing and Engineering Developments
Hydrogen Characteristics
The main characteristics of hydrogen are resource-rich, high calorific value and non-polluting.
Resource-rich
Hydrogen is the lightest gas, and is the oldest material in the universe. According to the Big
Bang theory, the universe after the Big Bang occurred about 3 min, protons and neutrons began to
synthesize hydrogen atoms occupy most of the substances in the universe. Therefore, the hydrogen
on Earth is extremely rich in resources. According to estimates, the sea water on the earth the
1.37×1018t, in which hydrogen content of 1.51×1017t. Hydrogen compounds such as water and
hydrocarbons form of existence, therefore, must be prepared by hydrogen, and thereafter in order to
make use of hydrogen energy.
Non-Polluting
Emit large quantities of pollutants and greenhouse gases in the combustion of fossil fuels entirely
different, the only product of the combustion of hydrogen is water, it is ideal for clean energy.
Hydrogen combustion in air will produce a small amount of nitrogen oxides, but is 80% lower than
the amount of generation of the combustion of petroleum-based fuels.
Environment and Market Demand
Hydrogen battery energy storage and power generation principle: energy generation such as solar,
wind, and hydrogen through electrolysis of water extracted for storing energy, made the battery to
generate electricity. Hydrogen batteries can achieve a conversion efficiency of 50%, higher than
gasoline and diesel engines, a large piece of metal hydride batteries used in cars, battery equivalent
gasoline sterility off after a hydrogen storage Alice at least over 500 km, is also efficient than
lithium batteries .
And hydrogen can form a green energy chain cycle: First, wind power and solar power on
environmental protection, hydrogen storage, power generation process which produces water,
separation of hydrogen when oxygen can also be stored to form zero carbon cycle, water is
inexhaustible. As a fuel cell, graphite, carbon fiber and other materials can be re-use of the noble
metal used in catalytic reaction can also be recycled.
Hydrogen Is the Highest Energy Intensity of Biomass Burning Everything Combustible
Scientific Practice has proved that the oxidation process of burning of all combustible material in
nature, including thermonuclear reaction, a hydrogen isotope. The so-called hydrogen refers to the
effects of the release of hydrogen in the combustion (oxidation) process heat, and Claim generated
water. Decomposition of water to generate hydrogen and oxygen constitutes a repeated cycle of
nature. Combustion strength represented by the amount of generated in the combustion heat value ".
Compounds containing hydrogen stable way to open up a lot of hydrogen production on Earth
there is very wide general industrial hydrogen purity is not high, mostly below 99.5%:
manufacturing pure hydrogen at least 99.95%. Splitting of water by the electrolysis of water or high
temperature in thousands of degrees take other energy consumption, and higher cost. The scarcity of
fresh water resources in China, only 80% of the world average, Thus, starting from the textbook
definition used in this way a large number of hydrogen production, and generally refuse to consider
this way, even the "On the water mere mention of".
However, the combination of the characteristics, but it is a different story. China is located in the
temperate, rainy mountain, the water level drop, administrative cities and counties of more than
2,000 in 1500 for the mountain, Mid-Levels, hills, poorer areas and great here, but it is highly
suitable for establishing a hydropower station.
Hydrogen Utilization
Hydrogen Storage and Transportation
Currently, hydrogen storage methods are mainly the following: atmospheric hydrogen storage,
high-pressure hydrogen storage, hydrogen storage, metal hydride hydrogen storage and adsorption
storage Such as hydrogen. The liquid hydrogen storage is a preferred hydrogen storage method, the
high density of this method hydrogen storage. However, the preparation of 1 liter liquid hydrogen to
takes about power consumption 3kW.h, liquid hydrogen natural evaporation during storage, and the
emergence of the high energy consumption of the metal hydride hydrogen storage, transport and use
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of open up a new way. In recent years, Tsinghua University, metals of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Institute of Chemical Defense and the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology Institute
and other units began to carry out a number of basic researches in hydrogen storage for new
hydrogen storage technology-nano-carbon materials. In which, Tsinghua University, Chinese
Academy of Metal Research Institute of Chemical Defense at room temperature hydrogen storage
weight than 12MPa when about 8% of the nano-carbon material.
Fuel Cell
Hydrogen power takes many forms, the most important to the fuel cell. The fuel cell is a
chemical can be directly converted into electrical energy, the energy conversion efficiency as high
as 80% or more, much higher than 10% of the thermoelectric cell, and a solar battery, 20%
conversion efficiency. The unique advantages of the fuel cell, it has been listed as the future of the
world's top ten scientific and technological first. As a high-efficiency, noise-free, pollution-free
power, the fuel cell is expected to become the preferred source of aerospace, electric vehicles and
distributed power.
Hydrogen Fuel Vehicles
Hydrogen fuel vehicle using an internal combustion engine is to be modified on the basis of
traditional ICE with hydrogen as a fuel for combustion, producing power. Hydrogen fuel
combustion products only H2O and NOx, does not produce particles, coke, etc, thereby greatly
reducing engine wear and reduce the lubricating oil is the degree of contamination, can be
considered its most clean engine fuel. But its efficiency is low, only about 38%, and hydrogen fuel
of high calorific value, fast flame propagation speed and fire a wide range of features, the hydrogen
fuel engine prone to pre ignition, tempering, knock, and engine thermal load and NOx high
emissions. Fuel hydrogen cars do not pollute the environment, is an environment-friendly green
transport.
Burning Hydrogen Power
Large power plants, hydropower, thermal power or nuclear power, the electricity sent to the grid,
and delivered to the user by the grid. Load electricity customers, peak power grid are sometimes,
sometimes trough. To adjust the peak load, the grid often needs to start fast and flexible power
stations, most suitable hydrogen power grab to play this role. Combustion of hydrogen and oxygen
to form hydroxide generator set. This unit is a rocket-type internal combustion engine coupled with
a generator, it does not require complicated steam boiler system, simple structure, easy maintenance,
quick start to open that is open, and want to stop that is to stop. In the low load of the power grid,
can also absorb excess electricity to perform electrolysis of water, producing hydrogen and oxygen,
in peak power generation. Such regulation is advantageous to run the net. In addition, hydrogen and
oxygen can directly change the operational status of conventional thermal power generating units,
to improve the generating capacity of the power station. For example, the composition of the
hydrogen-oxygen combustion MHD power generation, the use of liquid hydrogen cooled power
generation device, thus improving the power generating units.
Application Prospects
Hydrogen energy refers to use of the energy generated by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen is the chemical energy of hydrogen, hydrogen on Earth is mainly in the form of a
compound state, is the most widely distributed substances in the universe, which constitutes 75% of
the mass of the universe. Hydrogen must be obtained from the water, fossil fuels, such as hydrogencontaining substances, it is a secondary energy. Many industrial production of hydrogen, water
electrolysis hydrogen production, coal gasification hydrogen production, heavy oil and natural gas
steam catalytic conversion, such as hydrogen. Hydrogen has the following main advantages: a high
heat of combustion heat per kilogram of hydrogen combustion, which is about three times the
gasoline, alcohol of 3.9-fold, 4.5-fold of the coke. Combustion product is water, which is one of the
world's most clean energy. Resource-rich, hydrogen can be taken by the water system; water is the
most abundant resource on the planet. Currently, hydrogen energy technology has entered the stage
of implementation of the system in the United States, Japan, the European Union and other
countries and regions.
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Manufacturing and Engineering Developments
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Manufacturing and Engineering Developments
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Development Status of Hydrogen Energy and Application Prospects
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