Development Of Hydrogen Production Technologies Research Articles

Analyzing the hydrogen energy development policies of leading countries

Subject. The article investigates the development of hydrogen production technologies and use of renewable energy sources. Objectives. The focus is on assessing prospects for hydrogen energy development in the USA, Russia, China, and Germany. Methods. The study employed methods of comparative analysis. Results. We established that the development of hydrogen energy promotes carbon neutrality and the shaping of energy structure of the future. Conclusions. The cost of hydrogen production remains the main problem that hinders the widespread use of hydrogen energy.

Silk derived electrospun carbon nanofibers loaded with CoS nanoparticles as efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts in acidic and alkaline media

The design of a stable and efficient hydrogen evolution catalyst across the entire pH range is of significant importance for the development of hydrogen production technology by electrocatalytic water splitting. This study chose biomass silk fibroin protein as the electrospinning raw material, synthesizing a hybrid membrane of CoS@carbon nanofibers (CNF) with a layered core–shell structure through simple carbonization and hydrothermal treatment. The CoS nanoparticles can grow uniformly and densely on the CNF. By varying the concentrations of hexahydrate cobalt nitrate (Co(NO3)2·6H2O) and thiourea (CH4N2S), the morphology of the synthesized CoS nanoparticles on CNF can be controlled. Different microscopic morphologies lead to differences in the activity of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), attributed to variations in the exposed active sites for different morphologies. Compared to pure CNF, the CoS-2@CNF hybrid membrane exhibits excellent HER activity in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. This highlights the synergistic catalytic effect between CNF and CoS particles. This work provides guidance for the rational design of bio-based catalysts with excellent performance.

Oriented pyrolysis of biomass for hydrogen-rich gas and biochar production: An energy, environment, and economic assessment based on life cycle assessment method

This study aimed to analyze a technology of hydrogen-rich gas from full-component oriented pyrolysis (FCOP) of biomass using energy, economic, and environmental life cycle assessment. Firstly, the study taked corn straw (CS) as the research object, the yield of hydrogen-rich gas and char produced by the oriented pyrolysis method are 78.26% and 20.35%, and the yield of biochar produced by activating char with phosphoric acid is 40%. Secondly, the system boundary of FCOP of biomass to produce hydrogen-rich gas and biochar was creatively designed, establishing the energy, environmental, and economic analysis comprehensive model. Various energy, economic, and environmental indicators were computed to facilitate process optimization for hydrogen-rich gas co-production biochar and explored the feasibility of the process. The results show that the stage of hydrogen-rich gas prepared by FCOP of biomass is an important factor affecting energy output and input, and has the highest standard pollutant emissions (92.11%). This process has low carbon emissions and GHG emissions, showing good sustainability and application prospects, which has important guiding significance for realizing cleaner production and solving the energy crisis. Thirdly, taking the large-scale system of producing hydrogen-rich gas co-production biochar, which processes 40,000 t of CS per year, as an example, the economic benefit analysis results were obtained, that is, IRR, NPV, and Pm are 22%, 6.33 million yuan, and 7.3 years, respectively. Meanwhile, the key factors, including the initial investment, expenses of biomass and catalyst, and the sale income of hydrogen and biochar, which are the main factors affecting the economic efficiency of technology, and uncertainties were identified through sensitivity analysis. Finally, we put forward in the background of ecological civilization, the research focus and thinking for the development of hydrogen production technology from pyrolysis/gasification of biomass were proposed. The results obtained can be valuable in practical applications to enhance the sustainability and viability of hydrogen production in biomass conversion and utilization activities. The applied energy, economic, and environmental methodologies appear to be reliable and comprehensive tools for assessing the whole-life sustainability and viability of biofuel.

Experimental and numerical study on the offshore adaptability of new FLH2 floating hydrogen liquefaction production storage and offloading unit

With the development of hydrogen production technology from offshore wind power and natural gas, the deep-sea energy interconnection system using hydrogen energy as the medium is constantly improving. The floating hydrogen liquefaction production storage and offloading unit (LH2-FPSO, FLH2) is an effective method for large-scale utilization of offshore hydrogen energy. By filling the heat exchanger with ortho-parahydrogen conversion catalyst, a new porous medium heat exchange channel is formed. Integrating the spiral wound heat exchanger with the ortho-parahydrogen catalytic conversion reactor can reduce the deck area of FLH2 process system and lower the investment cost of floating hydrogen liquefaction device. The performance of FLH2 can be influenced by the offshore wave and typhoon. In this paper, the methods of floating cryogenic visualization experiment, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation are conducted to study the coupled flow and heat transfer mechanism of working fluid applied in FLH2 under offshore conditions. The results show that the sea state has little influence on the ortho-parahydrogen conversion and cooling process of hydrogen in the porous heat exchange tube. The complex flow and heat transfer challenges brought by the integrated process of new floating hydrogen liquefaction and ortho-parahydrogen conversion have been overcome. With the effect of co-current shear of gas-phase mixed refrigerant, a large dry area will not appear on the outer wall surface of porous tube under offshore conditions. The FLH2 process system shows good adaptability at sea.

Pathways towards full use of hydrogen as reductant and fuel

The transition to a green steel making is a journey over decades that involves many technologies and pathways, in most scenarios with the use of hydrogen − both as reductant and as fuel − as the endgame. The paper describes a general pathway to decarbonisation including increased energy efficiency, use of low carbon fuels, carbon capture, and use of clean hydrogen as reductant and fuel. The possibilities for developing a greener blast furnace process as a short-term solution, is discussed. Combinations like direct reduced iron production with carbon capture using a gasified waste or biomass, could be a mid-term solution at some steel mills. Dependent on location-specific conditions some technologies, like use of hydrogen as fuel in reheating, is coming into use already now, whilst in other areas in near- and mid-term there will be intermediate solutions applied. Development of hydrogen production technologies is briefly described. Challenges for the transition are found not only within the steel industry itself, but also, e.g., in supply of renewable power and suitable iron ores. Moreover, potential supply chain integrations and impact of geographical dislocations are discussed. Overall, it is important to apply an integrated approach with clear milestones for the chosen pathway, where existing assets like blast furnaces are transformed into a lower carbon footprint operation applying technologies that also can be used in the subsequent transition, e.g., use of coke oven gas for producing direct reduced iron that is charged into blast furnaces where carbon capture is applied, or changing into more energy-efficient combustion systems that are ready for use of hydrogen when viably available.

A critical review of research progress for metal alloy materials in hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reaction.

Hydrogen produced by electrolyzing water has attracted extensive attention as an effective way to generate and store new energy by using renewable energy. Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) were the core reactions in the process of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, however, due to the low efficiency of the electrolytic device caused by its slow kinetic reaction and the dependence on noble metal catalysts (platinum and iridium/ruthenium (oxide)), which limited its wide application. The preparation of high-efficiency catalysts with high catalytic activity, stability, low cost and scalability played a vital role in promoting the development of hydrogen production technology from electrolytic water and has become a current research hotspot. Metal alloy catalysts have been widely studied as high-efficiency electrocatalysts. This study introduced and analyzed the mechanism and application of metal alloy catalyst in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction, summarized and discussed the progress in the design, preparation and application of metal alloy electrocatalysts. Finally, the strategy and prospect of new high-efficiency electrocatalysts were proposed.

Recent advances in interface engineering strategy for highly‐efficient electrocatalytic water splitting

AbstractThe hydrogen energy generated by the electrocatalytic water splitting reaction has been established as a renewable and clean energy carrier with ultra‐high energy density, which can well make up for shortcomings of conventional renewable energy sources, such as geographical limitations, climatic dependence, and energy wastage. Notably, the introduction of electrocatalysts can enhance the efficiency of the water splitting process to generate hydrogen. Particularly, the heterostructure electrocatalysts constructed by coupling multiple components (or phases) have emerged as the most promising option for water splitting due to the well‐known electronic and synergistic effects. The existing reviews on interface engineering for electrocatalyst design mostly focus on the relationship between the heterostructures and specific electrocatalytic reactions. However, a comprehensive overview of the integration of model building, directional synthesis, and electrocatalytic mechanism has been rarely reported. To this end, in this review, the development of heterostructure catalysts is systematically introduced from the perspective of interface classification, interface growth and synthesis, and regulation of electrocatalytic performance based on the interfacial microenvironment (bonding, electronic configuration, lattice strain, etc.), thereby offering useful insights on the design and construction of interfacial models. Besides, combined with the current development and applications of interface engineering strategies, the challenges of future heterostructure catalysts are discussed and relevant solutions are proposed. Overall, this review can serve as a useful theoretical reference for the integration of interfacial model building, directional synthesis, and electrocatalytic mechanism, which can further promote the development of hydrogen production technologies with low energy consumption and high yield.image

Energy-and-Technology Installation Based on a Rolling Mill Heating Furnace with the Option of Hydrogen Production

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of an energy-and-technology unit based on a continuous furnace of a rolling mill with an option for hydrogen production. A brief analysis of hydrogen production technologies and the prospects of their application in metallurgy are presented. It has been determined that as for enterprises with the potential of thermal waste, the use of thermochemical technologies is promising for the production of hydrogen. The main aspects and features of thermochemical methods of hydrogen production are shown from the standpoint of choosing the number of stages of chemical reactions implementation and determining the thermodynamic conditions for their conduct. The conditions for the implementation of the copper-chlorine Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle were investigated, and a rational variant of its implementation has been determined, taking into account the use of thermal waste (secondary energy resources) of the heating furnaces of the rolling mill. The application of the evolutionary method made it possible, on the basis of the technological scheme (which had been previously developed and investigated, and consisted of an energy-and-technological installation as a part of a rolling mill of a heating furnace and a utilization gas turbine with external heat supply that maintains the regenerative component of heating the air oxidizer), to synthesize a scheme of an energy-and-technological installation with the inclusion of a technological unit implementing a hybrid thermochemical copper-chlorine Cu–Cl cycle for separating water into hydrogen and oxygen using thermal secondary energy resources and electricity generated by a utilization gas turbine installation. Mathematical model of the macro level has been developed. The conducted numerical test experiments have shown the high energy prospects of the developed energy-and-technology installation, the fuel utilization rate of which is in the range of 75–90 %. The coefficient of chemical regeneration of fuel energy for the test mode was 11.3 %. As a result of numerical research, the prospects of developments under consideration in terms of the development of hydrogen production technologies with the use of thermochemical cycles and the high-temperature thermal secondary resources have been proved.

Advances in Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

AbstractProton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) technology is of interest in the context of electrocatalytic hydrogen generation from renewable energies. It has the benefits of immediate response, higher proton conductivity, lower ohmic losses, and gas crossover rate. One key step toward to large‐scale application, is the development of highly efficient, durable, and compatible anodic oxygen evolution electrocatalysts in acidic media to decrease the usage of expensive and scarce precious metals. Within this scenario, an in‐depth understanding of oxygen evolution reaction mechanisms including the adsorption evolution mechanism and lattice oxygen evolution mechanism is first provided to aid development of innovative materials and elucidate the origin of catalyst degradation. Second, recent progress in the development of oxygen evolution electrocatalysts in acid media is reviewed with an emphasis on the underlying structure–performance relationships. Third, the current application status and research progress in PEMWEs along with representative examples are discussed. Last, the remaining challenges and promising insights are proposed to inspire future studies on the development of hydrogen production technology from renewable energy.

Economic and environmental competitiveness of high temperature electrolysis for hydrogen production

Alternative hydrogen production technologies are sought in part to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared with Steam Methane Reforming (SMR), currently the most commonly employed hydrogen production technology globally. This study investigates hydrogen production via High Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE) in terms of GHG emissions and cost of hydrogen production using a combination of Aspen HYSYS® modelling and life cycle assessment. Results show that HTSE yields life cycle GHG emissions from 3 to 20 kg CO2e/kg H2 and costs from $2.5 to 5/kg H2, depending on the system parameters (e.g., energy source). A carbon price of $360/tonne CO2e is estimated to be required to make HTSE economically competitive with SMR. This is estimated to potentially decrease to $50/tonne CO2e with future technology advancements (e.g., fuel cell lifetime). The study offers insights for technology developers seeking to improve HTSE, and policy makers for decisions such as considering support for development of hydrogen production technologies.

Development of renewable energy multi-energy complementary hydrogen energy system (A Case Study in China): A review

The hydrogen energy system based on the multi-energy complementary of renewable energy can improve the consumption of renewable energy, reduce the adverse impact on the power grid system, and has the characteristics of green, low carbon, sustainable, etc., which is currently a global research hotspot. Based on the basic principles of hydrogen production technology, this paper introduces the current hydrogen energy system topology, and summarizes the technical advantages of renewable energy complementary hydrogen production and the complementary system energy coordination forms. The problems that have been solved or reached consensus are summarized, and the current status of hydrogen energy system research at home and abroad is introduced in detail. On this basis, the key technologies of multi-energy complementation of hydrogen energy system are elaborated, especially in-depth research and discussion on coordinated control strategies, energy storage and capacity allocation, energy management, and electrolysis water hydrogen production technology. The development trend of the multi-energy complementary system and the hydrogen energy industry chain is also presented, which provides a reference for the development of hydrogen production technology and hydrogen energy utilization of the renewable energy complementary system.

MOF-Derived Hierarchical CoSe2 with Sheetlike Nanoarchitectures as an Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst.

The exploitation of efficient and stable non-noble-metal bifunctional electrocatalysts is key to the development of hydrogen production technology. Although some progress has been made in the synthesis of transition-metal selenide nanostructures, the preparation of metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived transition-metal selenide electrode materials with more active sites and nanosheet structures remains a significant challenge. Herein, on the basis of the MOFs, the hierarchical CoSe2-160 microcube with sheetlike nanoarchitectures was successfully prepared. In addition, the morphology of cobalt selenides was controlled by adjusting the hydrothermal reaction temperature. Electrochemical experiments show that the CoSe2-160 microcube has a splendid electrocatalytic performance with 10 mA cm-2 at an overpotential of 156 mV and a small Tafel slope of 40 mV dec-1 (in 0.5 M H2SO4) for hydrogen evolution reaction as well as 328 mV and a small Tafel slope of 73 mV dec-1 (in 1 M KOH) for oxygen evolution reaction, respectively. This arises from the nanosheet structures, large surface areas, and abundant active sites. This strategy provides a neoteric synthesis route for the MOF-derived transition-metal selenides with a striking electrocatalytic performance.

Performance Prediction of a Hydrogen Production System Based on PV/T Technology

With the rapid development of hydrogen production technology by using solar energy, the research of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) and Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) system have become popular. A design scheme of hydrogen production system based on PV/T technology was proposed. The electrolytic cell combined photovoltaic panels, trough solar collectors and multiple heat exchagers to improve the overall efficiency of the hydrogen production system. The efficiency was predicted based on empirical models. The results showed that the hydrogen production efficiency of SOEC increased with increasing temperature and with decreasing current density. However, the balance between energy efficiency and hydrogen production rate of SOEC needed to be taken into account. The predicted hydrogen production efficiency of SOEC and overall system efficiency also agreed well with the results available in literature.

Current status and development trend of wind power generation-based hydrogen production technology

The hydrogen production technology by wind power is an effective mean to improve the utilization of wind energy and alleviate the problem of wind power curtailment. First, the basic principles and technical characteristics of the hydrogen production technology by wind power are briefly introduced. Then the history of the hydrogen production technology is reviewed, and on this basis, the hydrogen production system by wind power is elaborated in detail. In addition, the prospect of the application of the hydrogen production technology by wind power is analyzed and discussed. In the end, the key technology of the hydrogen production by wind power and the problems to be solved are comprehensively reviewed. The development of hydrogen production technology by wind power is analyzed from many aspects, which provides reference for future development of hydrogen production technology by wind power.

Application of Immobilization Technology on Enhancing Hydrogen Production by Photosynthetic Bacteria

Hydrogen is a clean and effective energy. Development of hydrogen production technologies is one of the research focuses currently. Application of new-type technologies and materials on biological hydrogen producing is a research emphasis to enhance hydrogen production and promote its engineering application. The latest progress in research on photo fermentative hydrogen production by immobilized photosynthetic bacteria is reviewed. The fundamental of immobilization,progress of its application and impact factors on hydrogen production are summarized. Three immobilization methods including entrapment,suspended carrier and fixed biofilm are discussed in detail,mainly from the aspect of their effects on photo fermentative hydrogen production.New materials which have been worldwide utilized on immobilization are introduced. An outlook on research direction and focuses are also proposed.

Development of Hydrogen Production Technology by Thermochemical Water Splitting IS Process Pilot Test Plan

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting a study on a thermochemical IS process for hydrogen production. A pilot test of IS process is under planning that covers four R&D subjects: (1) construction of a pilot test plant made of industrial materials and completion of a hydrogen production test using electrically-heated helium gas as the process heat supplier, (2) development of an analytical code system, (3) component tests to assist the hydrogen production test and also to improve the process performance for the commercial plant, (4) a design study of HTTR-IS system. Development of innovative chemical reactors is in progress, which are equipped with a ceramic heat exchanger. In the design of the IS plant, it is important to establish the system for “design by analysis”. Therefore, we have developed a multiphase flow analysis code that can analyze systems in which chemical reactions occur.

Development of Hydrogen Production Technology by Thermochemical Water Splitting IS Process Pilot Test Plan

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting a study on a thermochemical IS process for hydrogen production. A pilot test of IS process is under planning that covers four R&D subjects: (1) construction of a pilot test plant made of industrial materials and completion of a hydrogen production test using electrically-heated helium gas as the process heat supplier, (2) development of an analytical code system, (3) component tests to assist the hydrogen production test and also to improve the process performance for the commercial plant, (4) a design study of HTTR-IS system. Development of innovative chemical reactors is in progress, which are equipped with a ceramic heat exchanger. In the design of the IS plant, it is important to establish the system for “design by analysis”. Therefore, we have developed a multiphase flow analysis code that can analyze systems in which chemical reactions occur.

Potential of renewable hydrogen production for energy supply in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is highly vulnerable to energy and economic security due to the heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental pollution. Therefore, it is important to explore the opportunities for clean renewable energy for long-term energy supply. Hong Kong has the potential to develop clean renewable hydrogen energy to improve the environmental performance. This paper reviews the recent development of hydrogen production technologies, followed by an overview of the renewable energy sources and a discussion about potential applications for renewable hydrogen production in Hong Kong. The results show that although renewable energy resources cannot entirely satisfy the energy demand in Hong Kong, solar energy, wind power, and biomass are available renewable sources for significant hydrogen production. A system consisting of wind turbines and photovoltaic (PV) panels coupled with electrolyzers is a promising design to produce hydrogen. Biomass, especially organic waste, offers an economical, environmental-friendly way for renewable hydrogen production. The achievable hydrogen energy output would be as much as 40% of the total energy consumption in transportation.

Spectroscopic Identification of the Mixed Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Clathrate Hydrate

In this contribution, we first found the novel clathrate hydrate containing two gaseous guests of hydrogen and carbon dioxide by spectroscopic analysis. X-ray powder diffraction and NMR spectroscopy were used to identify structure and guest distribution of the mixed H2 + CO2 hydrate. X-ray diffraction result confirmed that the unit cell parameter was 11.8602 +/- 0.0010 A, and the formed hydrate was identified as structure I hydrate. 1H magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR and 13C cross-polarization (CP) NMR spectroscopy were used to examine the distribution of hydrogen and carbon dioxide molecules in the cages of structure I, respectively. These NMR spectra showed that carbon dioxide molecules occupied both small 512 cages and large 51262 cages, and hydrogen molecules only were occluded in small 512 cages of structure I. The new finding of the mixed hydrogen hydrate is expected to contribute toward the development of hydrogen production technology and, particularly, inclusion chemistry.