Hydrogen Mobility and Transportation

When most people think of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), the concept suggests an electric motor drive supplied by a rechargeable battery. This can apply to automobiles, trucks, buses, industrial vehicles and railroad locomotives. However, another category of ZEVs does not use batteries, but instead generates power using a fuel cell as a battery alternative. These fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can cover the full range of vehicles, with the possible exception of the smallest, such as a bicycle.

Methane and methanol are proven marine fuels and many ships have been using them for years. However, these fuels also contain carbon in its molecular form. H₂ can serve as a cleaner option in applications where storage space is not a hinderance and where it is possible to store H₂ in pressurized bottles.

Digital twins are an effective tool in proven industrial areas. In the H₂ economy, digital twins are an essential engineering, estimating and project tool that will enable the evaluation of thousands of alternative design choices to select the leading candidates regarding productivity and efficiency.

To meet corporate and global net-zero carbon initiatives, many refining and chemical industry plant owners are considering refueling existing fired equipment with sustainable, low-carbon fuels. One such fuel is hydrogen (H₂), which can be produced through renewable energy sources (green H₂) or by reforming natural gas (blue H₂).

During the H₂ storage process, H₂ can be stored at low- to high-pressure levels (0.5 bar–100 bar) and is fully compatible with any H₂ production unit. Fluctuating production rates (depending on wind speed or solar irradiation) are of no concern as the storage process can adapt readily to changing H₂ flows within wide ranges.

Presently, few green H₂ plants are in operation or are at the pre-commercial phase with limited electrolyzer capacity (typically < 50 MW). Their contribution is less than 1% of the total H₂ produced globally—most H₂ is produced from unabated fossil fuels, with deleterious effects on the climate.

It is well known that producing green hydrogen (H₂) requires zero-emissions electricity generated by renewable energy (e.g., solar and wind) for electrolysis. For this reason, strategically placing H₂ production facilities near renewable power sources is convenient.

The October H2Tech spotlight features H2 duct burners, electro-catalysts for electrolyzers, solid oxide fuel cells for generating electricity directly from methylcyclohexane and stack components for PEM elecrtolyzers.