Green Hydrogen Survey: Exploring the Insights of Transport and Industry Professionals on Hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel cells are a clean and efficient source of energy that have been gaining attention in recent years due to their potential to revolutionize various industries, such as transportation and power generation. In this article, we'll explore the basics of hydrogen fuel cells, how they work, their advantages, limitations, and various applications.

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What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell?

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A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy stored in hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, heat, and water. Unlike traditional combustion engines that burn fossil fuels, hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity without harmful emissions, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional energy sources.

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How Does a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work?

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The basic principle behind hydrogen fuel cells is the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. There are several types of hydrogen fuel cells, but two of the most common are Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC).

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Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

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PEM fuel cells consist of an anode, a cathode, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between them. Hydrogen gas is fed to the anode, where it encounters a catalyst, usually made of platinum. The catalyst causes the hydrogen molecules to split into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode, while the electrons travel through an external circuit, generating electricity. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen from the air combine to form water and heat, the only byproducts of the process.

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Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)

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SOFCs operate at higher temperatures than PEM fuel cells, typically around 800-1,000°C. They use a solid ceramic electrolyte to transport oxygen ions from the cathode to the anode. At the anode, hydrogen reacts with the oxygen ions, producing water and releasing electrons. These electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electricity.

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Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

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1. Environmentally friendly: Hydrogen fuel cells produce zero greenhouse gas emissions, as their only byproducts are water and heat.
2. High efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cells are more energy-efficient than traditional combustion engines, as they can convert up to 60% of the energy stored in hydrogen into electricity.
3. Quiet operation: Unlike combustion engines, hydrogen fuel cells operate quietly, making them suitable for various applications, such as residential power generation.
4. Fuel flexibility: Some fuel cells can utilize different types of fuels, including natural gas and biogas, in addition to hydrogen.

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Challenges and Limitations

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1. High cost: The manufacturing cost of hydrogen fuel cells, especially those using platinum catalysts, can be high.
2. Hydrogen storage and infrastructure: Storing and transporting hydrogen can be challenging due to its low energy density and the lack of a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure.
3. Durability and lifespan: Some fuel cell types may have a limited lifespan due to degradation of components, such as the electrolyte and catalysts.

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Applications of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

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Transportation

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Hydrogen fuel cells have been widely explored as a clean alternative to conventional internal combustion engines in vehicles. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) utilize hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, which powers the electric motor. FCEVs have several advantages, such as longer driving ranges and faster refueling times compared to battery electric vehicles.

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Stationary Power Generation

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Hydrogen fuel cells can be used for stationary power generation in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They can provide reliable, clean, and efficient power for various applications, such as backup power, grid support, and combined heat and power systems.

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Portable Power

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Portable hydrogen fuel cells can be used as a lightweight, compact, and clean power source for various devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and other electronics. They are particularly useful in remote or off-grid locations where conventional power sources are not available.

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Future Prospects and Developments

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As the demand for clean and efficient energy sources grows, hydrogen fuel cells are expected to play a significant role in the global energy landscape. Research and development efforts are focused on improving the performance, durability, and affordability of hydrogen fuel cells. Moreover, investments in hydrogen infrastructure and storage technologies are expected to facilitate the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells across various sectors.

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Conclusion

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Hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising clean energy solution with a range of applications, from transportation to power generation. While there are challenges to overcome, such as high costs and limited infrastructure, continued research and development could unlock their full potential and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.

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View all hydrogen products on Lhyfe Heroes

What happens under the bonnet of a hydrogen vehicle? Although many people use the term “hydrogen engine”, in reality, hydrogen vehicles use electric engines powered by hydrogen. Hydrogen trucks, cars, tractors and so on are indeed electric vehicles or more precisely Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV).

However, unlike the “conventional” electric vehicle (which should really be referred to as a battery electric vehicle or BEV) – whose electricity is stored in the battery during charging – the “hydrogen electric vehicle” generates its own electricity using a hydrogen fuel cell.

To use a hydrogen vehicle, the user must fill the hydrogen tank rather than recharging the battery.

There are two types of hydrogen engine technology:

• The FCEV: an electric vehicle with an electric engine powered by a fuel cell – most hydrogen vehicles available today use this technology,
• The ICE: A vehicle with a hydrogen internal combustion engine. This technology, which is not yet on the market, is in the R&D phase and interests manufacturers such as Toyota, Porche, and MAN. This type of engine would keep much of the current engine’s operating system the same and would require minimum adjustments to vehicles.

What defines the power of a hydrogen engine?

FCEVs have several design parameters that define a vehicle’s power:

• Battery capacity (in kWh)
• Fuel cell power (in kW)
• Hydrogen storage capacity (in kg)
• Overall engine power in (kW)
  

Depending on the vehicle’s purpose, manufacturers design various configurations of these four elements.

Gas or liquid hydrogen?

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These are the two means of storing hydrogen and each has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the vehicle’s purpose. Liquid hydrogen allows you to store four times more hydrogen but liquefying hydrogen results in a lower energy yield due to the additional liquefaction operation. What’s more, once it is in the car, it must be used very quickly before it turns back into gas and expands. This means it must be used or evacuated ... and lost!

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How exactly does a fuel cell work?

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There are several types of fuel cells, which convert fuel into energy. The most common is the hydrogen fuel cell, which converts hydrogen (the fuel) into electricity (the energy), through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.
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This process, which occurs instantaneously, powers the electric engine while releasing only water.

Technically, the fuel cell uses a “redox” reaction to produce electricity. It comprises two electrodes: an oxidising anode (emitting electrons) and a reducing cathode (collecting electrons), separated by an electrolyte, which directly conducts the ions from one electrode to the other and blocks the electrons, forcing them to pass through the external circuit of the battery.

The tank continuously supplies the anode with hydrogen, while the cathode receives oxygen (from the air).

The anode causes the fuel to oxidise and release electrons, which are forced by the ion-charged electrolyte (which separates the two electrodes) to pass through an external circuit. This external circuit therefore provides a continuous electric current which powers the engine.

Once reunited in the cathode, the ions and electrons recombine with oxygen. This combination causes reduction, which – in addition to the electric current – generates heat and pure water vapour, which escapes in the form of gas through a small tube placed under the vehicle, either while driving or by pressing a button at the end of the trip.

• The tank continuously supplies the anode with hydrogen, while the cathode receives oxygen (from the air).
• The anode causes the fuel to oxidise and release electrons, which are forced by the ion-charged electrolyte (which separates the two electrodes) to pass through an external circuit. This external circuit therefore provides a continuous electric current which powers the engine.
• Once reunited in the cathode, the ions and electrons recombine with oxygen. This combination causes reduction, which – in addition to the electric current – generates heat and pure water vapour, which escapes in the form of gas through a small tube placed under the vehicle, either while driving or by pressing a button at the end of the trip.

Running a hydrogen engine therefore emits only pure water and is completely clean, provided that a completely clean hydrogen fuel is used.

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From the production of hydrogen by extraction to the use of the molecule… Lhyfe, producer of green hydrogen, explains everything about the life cycle of renewable hydrogen as it is manufactured by Lhyfe.

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What are the stages of renewable hydrogen production?

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Here are the three stages of Lhyfe renewable hydrogen production. Lhyfe’s production units produce without any CO2 emissions (as opposed to carbonated hydrogen):

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Electrolysis of water

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Hydrogen is produced from water from rivers, the ocean, rain, or leachate. Electrolysis is a process that splits the chemical bonds of H2O molecules. It is done using renewable energy. During this process, oxygen is released into the air. On the other hand, there is no carbon dioxide (CO2) emission.

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Hydrogen (H2) compression

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This process reduces the volume of hydrogen and increases the pressure.

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Hydrogen purification

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In this step, the remaining traces of oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) are removed.

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How is renewable hydrogen transported? For what purposes?

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Hydrogen can be stored in containers outside the plant. It is then transported by truck. The hydrogen produced can then be used for :

• Transportation: The hydrogen that has been produced can power hydrogen vehicles. These vehicles, therefore, release zero CO2 emissions when driven.
• Industry: delivered hydrogen can also be used to power factories (in small quantities)

When used for industry, in massive quantities, hydrogen can be transported directly through a pipe connection. This allows the factory to be supplied for the following uses:

• lass
• steel
• food manufacturing
• plastics
• …

Lhyfe’s hydrogen production is made from renewable energy. That's why we call it green. This is an effective way to decarbonize your business!