Production of hydrogen

One of the significant advantages of hydrogen energy is the availability of a variety of ways to produce hydrogen. This contributes to improving energy security and reducing dependence on certain types of raw materials. The production of hydrogen can be carried out:

1. A method of steam conversion of methane and natural gas;
2. By gasification of coal;
3. By electrolysis of water;
4. Pyrolysis method;
5. By the method of partial oxidation;
6. Biotechnological methods.

To date, the cheapest and most affordable way is a steam conversion. According to the forecasts of specialists, its use will take place at the initial stage of introduction of the hydrogen economy. However, in the future a transition to the use of renewable energy sources will still be needed, because a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is almost the main reason for the transition to hydrogen energy. In this capacity, you can use solar energy or wind energy, which allows the electrolysis of water.

The ability to concentrate hydrogen production at large enterprises implies a reduction in the cost of production, but at the same time, additional costs are required for transporting hydrogen to special petrol stations. As a variant, hydrogen production on a small scale is directly considered for hydrogen AS.

Now hydrogen is obtained from many sources of raw materials. Next, consider the most popular of them.

Hydrocarbons

To date, almost half of hydrogen production is carried out by the method of steam conversion of natural gas (methane). This process is the mixing of methane with steam at a temperature of 700-1000 ° C under high pressure in the presence of a catalyst.

Coal gasification

Gasification of coal is the oldest method of extracting hydrogen. The process is as follows: coal is heated to a temperature of 800 -1300 ° C in the absence of oxygen. FutureGen has developed a project for a new hydrogen power plant, based on the production of the main element in this way. It is expected to be built in the US soon.

Biomass

From biomass hydrogen is extracted in two ways: biochemical and thermochemical. In biochemical production, hydrogen is produced by various bacteria, for example, Rodobacter speriodes. The thermochemical method involves heating the biomass to a temperature of 500-800 ° C (wood waste) in the absence of air access. The result is the separation of H2, CO and CH4.

Garbage

Technological progress involves finding new methods of hydrogen production, which is the production of hydrogen from debris. This method is already actively being implemented.

Chemical reaction of water with metals

American University Purdue invented a method of generating hydrogen from water by using an alloy of aluminum. It involves the formation of pellets from a gallium alloy with aluminum, which are then placed in a container of water. There is a chemical reaction, as a result of which hydrogen is produced.

Electrolysis of water is carried out by hydrogen generators, converting into electricity heat from industrial installations or from the environment and decomposing water.

The production of hydrogen from energy sources such as wind, sun, atomic energy is only being investigated by scientists. As research shows, these methods have the prospect of widespread use in the future. Their implementation is planned in the next few years. Of course, at first the prime cost of hydrogen produced by such methods will be high, but then its index will gradually reach the optimal level.

At the moment, hydrogen is used in the manufacture of gasoline, ammonia, and also without it the production of hydrogen peroxide.