Hydrogen as a Fuel

It is the first element in the periodic table and the most abundant element on the planet. It exhibits similarities to alkali metals as well as halogens in its structure. Despite the fact that scientists have recently discovered hydrogen in its metallic form through research and experiments. Unlike alkali metals, it has only one electron in its outermost shell. It can be reduced to form the monovalent ion H+, but in terms of ionisation energy, it is more similar to halogens.

Laboratory methods for preparing dihydrogen 

The following method is used in the preparation of dihydrogen: 

The reaction of granulated zinc with dilute hydrochloric acid – Dihydrogen can be prepared in laboratories by reacting granulated zinc with dilute HCl. 

 The reaction of granulated zinc with dilute hydrochloric acid – Dihydrogen can be prepared in laboratories by reacting granulated zinc with dilute HCl. The following is an example of a reaction:

In the reaction 

Zn + 2H+ ->Zn2+ + H2.

Commercial methods for the production of dihydrogen 

The following are some of the most commonly used methods for commercial production of dihydrogen:

1)Electrolysis of acidified water with platinum electrodes results in the production of hydrogen. The following is an example of a reaction:

2H2O -> 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2 + O2

2)It can be made by electrolysis of aqueous barium hydroxide solution with nickel electrodes, which is described in detail below. As a result, the dihydrogen that has been obtained is extremely pure in nature.

3)Lane’s process – By passing steam over spongy iron at temperatures ranging from 773 to 1050 degrees Celsius, the reaction is as follows: 3Fe + 4H2O -> Fe3O4 + 4H2Fe3O4 so produced is reduced back to iron with water, and this reaction is known as the vivification reaction. The following is the equation to be used:

Fe3O4 + 4H2 -> 3Fe + 4H2O 

Fe3O4 + 4CO -> 3Fe + 4CO2 

Fe3O4 + 4CO -> 3Fe + 4CO2

Dihydrogen’s Physical Characteristics 

The following are the physical characteristics of dihydrogen:

1)It is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless gas with no discernible odour. It is completely insoluble in water. It has a high combustible index. It is significantly lighter than air.

2)Its melting point is 13.96 degrees Celsius.

3) Its boiling point is 20.39 degrees Celsius.

4) The density of the solution is 0.09 g/L.

5)Its enthalpy of fusion is 0.117 kJ/mol, which is very low.

HYDROGEN FUEL

First and foremost, you must comprehend what hydrogen fuel is. It is a zero-emission fuel that is produced by combining hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion process. Additionally, you may be surprised to learn that this alternative fuel has a higher energy output than conventional fuels such as gasoline and diesel. To be more precise, it is three times more efficient than gasoline.

Furthermore, when hydrogen fuel is burned, it emits significantly fewer pollutants than either gasoline or diesel fuel. It is estimated that steam reforming of fossil fuels or partial methane oxidation yields nearly 95% of the hydrogen required for human consumption.

HFC stands for Hydrogen Fuel Cell.

Fuel cells are mechanical devices that are capable of converting energy stored in molecular bonds or chemical potential energy into electrical energy. They are used to generate electricity. The proton exchange membrane of a hydrogen fuel cell now uses hydrogen and oxygen as fuels, which is a significant advancement. When oxygen and hydrogen are combined, heat, electricity, and water are produced. PEM cells are used in many different applications.

When using this fuel cell, the anode transports hydrogen and the cathode transports oxygen. At the anode part of the cell, these hydrogen molecules split into protons and electrons, resulting in the formation of water. These two elements react with one another, resulting in a tremendous amount of energy being produced by hydrogen fuel cells in their various applications.

The Most Important Points

• Nitrogen oxides, also known as NO, are pollutants carried by hydrogen fuel. This is due to the fact that hydrogen molecules consider nitrogen gas to be one of the impurities.

• It is possible to reduce this pollution even further by adding water to the cell container. This process has the potential to prevent the reaction between nitrogen and oxygen.

• As you are aware, hydrogen occupies the first position in the periodic table due to the fact that it is lighter than air. As a result, a fuel cylinder containing hydrogen can weigh significantly less than a fuel cylinder containing petrol or diesel.

Production of Hydrogen as a Fuel

However, as previously stated, despite the fact that hydrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, it is not found in its pure form there. Hydrogen makes up nearly 75% of all the substances that exist in the universe, according to NASA. However, in order to be used on an industrial scale, it must be present as a primary energy source. This section contains information on some conventional methods for the production of hydrogen fuel.

1) Production by steam-methane reforming •This method is used to produce hydrogen.

• The process of extracting hydrogen from methane

• Employing methods that release carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the environment

• These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect and the global warming that occurs as a result of global warming.

2)Producing hydrogen and oxygen atoms through electrolysis is the second way to produce it.

• This process can utilise solar, hydroelectric, biomass, wind, geothermal, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy.
• It is a cost-effective method of generating energy from renewable sources.

Uses of Hydrogen Fuel

It is possible to use hydrogen fuel to generate electricity to power automobiles, aeroplanes, boats, and stationary or portable fuel cell applications, which can then be used to power an electric motor. The storage of hydrogen in either a cryogenic tank or a high-pressure tank is extremely difficult, which is the primary obstacle to the widespread use of hydrogen fuel cells in automobiles.

Advantages of hydrogen fuel

1) When hydrogen is burned, it only emits water vapour; 

2) When hydrogen is burned, it does not emit carbon dioxide.

3)Hydrogen contributes little to tailpipe pollution and is therefore regarded as a less harmful pollutant.

4)When compared to an internal combustion engine, it has the capability of running a fuel-cell engine.

CONCLUSION

It is the first element in the periodic table and the most abundant element on the planet. It exhibits similarities to alkali metals as well as halogens in its structure.It is possible to prepare hydrogen in two ways: in the laboratory and in the commercial setting.Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel that is produced by combining hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion process.It is possible to use hydrogen fuel to generate electricity to power automobiles, aeroplanes, boats, and stationary or portable fuel cell applications, which can then be used to power an electric motor.Advantage of hydrogen fuel is that when hydrogen is burned, it only emits water vapour and When hydrogen is burned, it does not emit carbon dioxide.