Name
Instructor
Environmental History
The environmental and economical pattern of Hydrogen Energy
Introduction
Modern industrial civilization are based on the fossil fuels, with the large-scale use
of fossil fuels in promoting the rapid development of social economy and improve
people‘s standard of living at the same time, but also brought serious environmental
pollution. Large amounts of emission in CO2, SOX and NOX contributing to the
greenhouse effect and acid rain formation which serious threat to human survival
environment. In addition, because of the irrefragable of fossil fuels and the rigid demand
for energy based on the world economy cause the growing of energy crisis. Facing the
pressure of energy crisis and energy prices raise rapidly, new energy development and
utilization has become the main work for all kinds of energy issues. The hydrogen as a
kind of efficient clean energy has drawn great attention of the countries all over the
world and the scientific research institutions. The concept of the hydrogen economy has
surfaced. The hydrogen economy can be understood as a clean economy is given priority
to with the hydrogen and other clean energy, is to make full use of the hydrogen many
superior properties; to human demand and the market as the goal; to the hydrogen
research and development, production, storage, transportation, operation, management,
and other economic activities. The development of the hydrogen economy can partially
out of human dependence on fossil fuels, realize the sustainable development of human
society.
The scale of hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant elements of nature, is the highest levels of substance
accounts for about 75% in the universe which compose with one proton and one
electron. Hydrogen is a kind of secondary renewable energy, is through a certain method
using other energy production and it is non-toxic odorless. Also, Hydrogen is the lightest
element of quality, under 252.7 ℃, the hydrogen will turn to liquid. The thermal
conductivity of the hydrogen is 10 times higher than most of the coefficient of thermal
conductivity of the gas. Hydrogen has good burning performance as well as utilization
form. It cannot only be produced by combustion heat energy and mechanical energy in
the heat engine, but also can be used as an energy materials used in fuel cells. Compared
with other fuels, hydrogen is the most clean energy when it is burning because it
hydrogen will not produce harmful martial to the environment such as carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide and dust particles. For two specific example: NASA has used
liquid hydrogen since the 1970s to propel the space shuttle and other rockets into orbit.
Hydrogen fuel cells power the shuttle‘s electrical systems, producing a clean byproduct –
pure water, which the crew drinks.
Hydrogen can be separated from hydrocarbons through the application of heat to
get Hydrogen. Hydrocarbons are the energy that makes up many of our fuels, such as
gasoline, natural gas, methanol, and propane. Also, there are many ways for people to
get hydrogen, for example, separated from hydrocarbons through the application of heat
through natural gas and electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The cost of hydrogen
There are several ways to produce or extract hydrogen. Steam reforming is an
effective technology that allows hydrogen production from hydrocarbon and water.
Steam methane reforming – currently produces about 95% of the hydrogen used in the
United States.
Another traditional electrolysis technology is suitable for the current water into
hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Electrolysis electric can come from any of the three
sources of energy.
Compressed gas can use the high pressure gas cylinders, tube trailer or pipeline
transport. If the hydrogen gas, it should be compressed to a very high pressure,
maximize the tank capacity. In addition, the liquid hydrogen truck transportation costs
include natural gas, natural gas transportation driver wages and maintenance costs, and
including the evaporation loss in transit. A source estimated long-distance
transportation of liquid hydrogen from Africa to Europe at around $1.80 – $1.80 kg
($0.82 – $0.94) per pound. The use of metal hydride hydrogen transport, the main cost is
buying metal hydride capital charges and container. Once filled with hydrogenated
container can like any other piece of freight, shipping cost depends on the distance and
weight.
Hydrogen Economy
Hydrogen is an important material in refining, petrochemical and coal chemical
industry. Here I will emphasize a new acknowledge–Hydrogen economy.
The term “hydrogen economy” refers to the vision of using hydrogen as a replacing
low-carbon energy source. For example, just like gasoline as a transport fuel or natural
gas as a heating fuel. Hydrogen is attractive as new energy because whether it is burned
to produce heat or reacted with air in a fuel cell to produce electricity, the only by
product is water.
History of Hydrogen economy in the United Stated
