HYDROGEN FUEL

 Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen reacts with oxygen across an electrochemical cell— similar to a battery—to produce electricity, water, and small amounts of heat.

H2 + O2 à H20 + Electricity

PRODUCTION PROCESSES

 STEAM METHANE REFORMATION

 Hydrogen is produced by treating hydrocarbons (eg: methane) with steam under high temperature and pressure.

ELECTROLYSIS

 Electrolysis is a process that splits hydrogen from water using an electric current.

H20 à H2 + 02

OTHER METHODS

• Photolytic processes that use solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• Biological processes that use microbes, such as bacteria and microalgae, to produce hydrogen through biological reactions.
• Thermochemical processes to convert biomass into gas or liquids and to separate the hydrogen.

ADVANTAGES OF HYDROGEN FUELS OVER CONVENTIONAL FUELS

• Renewable source of energy
• Clean source of energy
• Hydrogen fuel cells do not produce noise pollution in combustion engines
• High energy density when compared to other sources and hydrogen combustion engines have high energy efficiency. (40% when compared to petrol 20%)The chemical element releases 142 megajoules (MJ) of energy per kilogram, compared to petrol which releases just 46 MJ per kilogram.
• Green hydrogen as a potential solution to decarbonise sectors such as refinery, ammonia, methanol, iron and steel and heavy-duty trucking.

DISADVANTAGES

• 96% of the hydrogen used is grey hydrogen which is polluting.
• Gaseous and combustible nature makes it difficult to handle and transport to refuelling stations. It will require installation of special pipeline infrastructure.
• Hydrogen engine less energy efficient when compared to battery powered electric engines (40% vs 80%).

INDIAN GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

 National Hydrogen Mission launched in 2021

with the intended objectives of: Making India a leading producer and supplier of Green Hydrogen in the world. Creation of export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.