Solar Hydrogen Production

Processes, Systems and Technologies

Francesco Calise, Massimo Dentice D'Accadia, Massimo Santarelli, Andrea Lanzini, Domenico Ferrero, Francesco Calise, Massimo Dentice D'Accadia, Massimo Santarelli, Andrea Lanzini, Domenico Ferrero

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780128148549
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Energy

Solar Hydrogen Production: Processes, Systems and Technologies presents the most recent developments in solar-driven hydrogen generation methods. The book covers different hydrogen production routes, from renewable sources, to solar harvesting technologies. Sections focus on solar energy, presenting the main thermal and electrical technologies suitable for possible integration into solar-based hydrogen production systems and present a thorough examination of solar hydrogen technologies, ranging from solar-driven water electrolysis and solar thermal methods, to photo-catalytic and biological processes. All hydrogen-based technologies are covered, including data regarding the state-of-the art of each process in terms of costs, efficiency, measured parameters, experimental analyses, and demonstration projects.

In the last part of the book, the role of hydrogen in the integration of renewable sources in electric grids, transportation sector, and end-user applications is assessed, considering their current status and future perspectives. The book includes performance data, tables, models and references to available standards. It is thus a key-resource for engineering researchers and scientists, in both academic and industrial contexts, involved in designing, planning and developing solar hydrogen systems.

• Offers a comprehensive overview of conventional and advanced solar hydrogen technologies, including simulation models, cost figures, R&D projects, demonstration projects, test standards, and safety and handling issues
• Encompasses, in a single volume, information on solar energy and hydrogen systems
• Includes detailed economic data on each technology for feasibility assessment of different systems

Part I

Introduction to hydrogen production routes: Processes and technologies

Chapter 1

Hydrogen properties

Ali Keçebaş^a; Muhammet Kayfeci^{b a} Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey
^b Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Karabük University, Karabük, Turkey

Abstract

Most of the energy we use today is obtained from nonrenewable fossil fuels. This has not only depleted the reserves of fossil fuels, especially crude oil but has also caused severe environmental pollution. Intense effort researches are being made to develop alternative renewable energy sources. Some see hydrogen gas as the clean fuel of the future, generated from water and returning to water when it is oxidized. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are increasingly being seen as pollution-free sources of energy and are now being used in some transportation devices. Hydrogen, in vast quantities, has been used safely for many years in chemical and metallurgical applications, the food industry, and the space program. As hydrogen and fuel cells begin to play a greater role in meeting the energy needs of our nation and the world, minimizing the safety hazards related to the use of hydrogen as a fuel is essential. In this chapter, the chemical and physical properties of hydrogen, combustibility, hydrogen production, applications, and safe use of hydrogen are highlighted.

Keywords

Renewable energy; Hydrogen properties; Production; Fuel cells

Contents

• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 History of hydrogen
• 1.3 Atomic and molecular hydrogen
• 1.4 Hydrogen compounds
• 1.5 Energy from hydrogen
• 1.6 Hydrogen physical and chemical properties
  • 1.6.1 Difference between protium, deuterium, and tritium
  • 1.6.2 Similarities between protium, deuterium, and tritium
• 1.7 Thermodynamical properties of hydrogen
• 1.8 Flammability of hydrogen
• 1.9 Reactivity of hydrogen
• 1.10 Hydrogen production
• 1.11 Applications of hydrogen
• 1.12 Safe use of hydrogen
• References
• Further reading

1.1 Introduction

Hydrogen “H₂,” a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and flammable gaseous substance is the simplest member of the family of chemical elements. Hydrogen is easily ignited. Once ignited it burns with a pale blue, almost invisible flame. The vapors are lighter than air. It is flammable over a wide range of vapor/air concentrations. Hydrogen is not toxic but is a simple asphyxiate by the displacement of oxygen in the air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Hydrogen is a gas at standard conditions. However, at very low temperature and/or high pressures the gas becomes a liquid or a solid. The hydrogen atom has a nucleus consisting of a proton bearing one unit of positive electrical charge; an electron, bearing one unit of negative electrical charge, is also associated with this nucleus. Under ordinary conditions, hydrogen gas is a loose aggregation of hydrogen molecules, each consisting of a pair of atoms, a diatomic molecule, H₂. The earliest known important chemical property of hydrogen is that it burns with oxygen to form water, H₂O; indeed, the name hydrogen is derived from Greek words meaning “maker of water.” Hydrogen is by far the most plentiful element in the universe, making up 75% of the mass of all visible matter on earth, stars, and galaxies. It is found in the sun and most of the stars and the planet Jupiter is composed mostly of hydrogen. On Earth, hydrogen is found in the greatest quantities as water. It is present as a gas in the atmosphere only in tiny amounts, less than 1 part per million by volume [1].

Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe (three times as abundant as helium, the next most widely occurring element), it makes up only about 0.14% of the Earth’s crust by weight. It occurs, however, in vast quantities as part of the water in oceans, ice packs, rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere. As part of the innumerable carbon compound, hydrogen is present in all animal and vegetable tissue and in petroleum. Even though it is often said that there are more known compounds of carbon than any other element, the fact is that, since hydrogen is contained in almost all carbon compounds and also forms a multitude of compounds with all other elements (except some of the noble gases), it is possible that hydrogen compounds are more numerous. Elementary hydrogen finds its principal industrial application in the manufacture of ammonia ...