Transcript Hydrogen and Fuel Cells How is Hydrogen Produced

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
How is Hydrogen Produced, Delivered,
and Stored?
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Hydrogen is #1 on the Periodic Table
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Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant
element in the universe.
Hydrogen does not exist in nature
by itself, but it is found as part of a
compound in abundant and
diverse resources such as the
fossil fuels natural gas and coal.
 What is the most
abundant
compound on
earth?
Water = H2O
Two Hydrogen Atoms
One Oxygen Atom
Electrolysis: The process of using an electrical current to
split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
When the electricity
needed for electrolysis is
generated using wind or
solar power, for
example, electrolysis
can be a clean and
renewable way to
produce hydrogen.
wind farm
solar panels
Electrolysis
Scientists worldwide are researching ways
to produce hydrogen safely, cleanly,
efficiently, and cost-effectively.
Steam Methane Reforming –
 This method involves using
high temperature steam to
extract hydrogen from natural
gas.
 Both hydrogen and carbon
monoxide are produced.
 Today, 95% of the hydrogen
produced in the United States
is made through steam
methane reforming.
Other hydrogen production technologies use
various resources…
nuclear energy
biological material
algae
Challenge = Cost
Hydrogen can be produced at small
stations…or at large plants and
delivered to users.
Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen can be
stored as a gas,
liquid, and even in a
chemical
compound.
compressed hydrogen
gas tank
metal hydrides
liquid hydrogen tank
carbon nanotubes
The Hydrogen Storage
Challenge:
To store enough hydrogen on-board
a vehicle to enable drivers to travel
300-350 miles before refueling
Hydrogen storage tanks
Hydrogen Delivery
Hydrogen pipelines exist only in
certain regions of the country.
Once hydrogen has been easily
produced and safely stored, it can
generate electricity using
a fuel cell.
H2 + 1/2O2 = Water
Hydrogen-powered fuel cells can
supply energy to power anything from
automobiles to homes to computers.
Picture it…
Hydrogen is a clean form of energy. It
can be used in fuel cells to create
electricity with the only byproducts being
water and heat.