HYDROGEN

Uses and Energy

HYDROGEN: What is it?

Simplest element 1 proton 1 electron

HYDROGEN

MOST ABUNDANT GAS IN THE UNIVERSE Highest energy by weight Lowest energy by volume

OUR SUN: 4 Hydrogen fuse into 1 Helium

HYDROGEN: Energy

OUR SUN Light Heat Wind Rain Photosynthesis Fossil fuels

HYDROGEN: On Earth

ABUNDANTBUT, Hydrogen gas, H2, not naturally

found on EarthFound as:

CH4, H2O, biomass, fossil fuels, in Earth’s crust

Considered Renewable

HYDROGEN: Energy On Earth

As an energy source:Highly efficient

•A lot of energy for a small amountLow pollutionFLEXIBLEUSES:

•Transportation, heating, power generation

HYDROGEN: Production

STEAM REFORMING:High-temperature steam

separates hydrogen from methane.

C

H

HH

H 1. Cost effective

2. But uses fossil fuels

HYDROGEN: Production

ELECTROLYSIS: splitting water with electricity

2H2O + electricity 2H2 + O2

HYDROGEN: Production

HYDROGEN: Production

ELECTROLYSIS: VERY PURE

Can use renewable energyWATER is renewable

BUT, VERY EXPENSIVE

HYDROGEN: Production

PHOTOELECTROLYSIS:Uses sunlight to split water2H2O + SUNLIGHT 2H2 + O2

HYDROGEN: Production

BIOMASS GASIFICATIONBIOMASS GASIFICATIONBiomass is super-heated into Biomass is super-heated into

hydrogen and other gaseshydrogen and other gasesBIOMASS CAN BE USED TO BIOMASS CAN BE USED TO

GENERATE THE HEATGENERATE THE HEAT

HYDROGEN: Current Uses

RefiningRefiningTreating metalsTreating metalsFood processingFood processing

HYDROGEN: Current Uses

NASA: FUEL CELLSNASA: FUEL CELLSPropelling space shuttlePropelling space shuttlePowering electrical systems by Powering electrical systems by

reverse electrolysisreverse electrolysis

2H2 + O2 2H2O + electricity

HYDROGEN: Current Uses

HYDROGEN: Current Uses

COSTS of REVERSE ELECTROLYSIS: Very expensive to build fuel cells Very expensive to produce hydrogen Not many ‘Filling Stations’ Technology is not widespread

HYDROGEN: Current Uses

BENEFITS of REVERSE ELECTROLYSIS: Zero emissions Very efficient Very portable and accessible Reduces need of dependence on

foreign oil