Catalysis and the hydrogen economy

Abstract

Perspectives regarding the current and future production of hydrogen are offered. It is important to appreciate that most of the world’s current production of H2 is captively produced and not easily committed to a major new market need (such as H2 for fuel cells). The size and capital investment, energy intensiveness, as well as delivery issues restrict the simple extension of existing SMR plants to fill the void needed in H2 production for a H2 economy. Forecasts suggest future H2 needs exceed 14 times the world’s current production of H2; this volume coupled by restrictions of CO2 co-production would seem to limit the options for future H2 production. Production of H2 by new process technologies, including CH4 decomposition, CO2 reforming, biohydrogen, photodecomposition of water, etc. are discussed. Catalysis will play multiple roles in all aspects of H2 production. Multiple needs exist for catalysts with respect to the photodecomposition of water, CPO based processes, highly active and low cost WGS catalysts, catalysts to assist in the capture and storage of CO2, improved hydrocarbon reforming, improved electrocatalysts and photocatalysts, improved hydrodesulfurization catalysts, and biophotolytic catalysts for decomposing water. Today, no single technology seems to offer a near term solution, although it appears that solar, photodecomposition of water offers a potential solution with respect to sustainability issues, the amount of H2 needed, no CO2 co-product, and energy needs; however the solar photodecomposition of water has many technical hurdles remaining which suggest it is decades away from large scale, cost effective implementation.