Hydrogen as alternative energy - Essay Example

Hydrogen as alternative energy “Hydrogen is one of the most important elements in nature for its qualities and use in fuel production.” (Williams, Chris "Pond life: the future of energy". Science (The Register). (2006-02-24). Introduction: Hydrogen constitutes the biology of our body in the form of NADH and serves as a vital natural substance. It produces energy and water as a by-product of the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Hence the life of any organism depends on the amount of energy produced by this reaction. Some decade’s age, a Nobel Prize winner biochemist, Szent-Gyorgyi enlightened the world about the extensive advantages of hydrogen use and declared it even more important than oxygen for the existence of human race on this planet. Body water acts as a fuel to burn oxygen and hydrogen for the sake of producing energy. The name of hydrogen is therefore given as “water-former”. In the living body each day hydrogen and oxygen merges to form the necessary energy (in the form of ATP) in a cyclic manner to generate water and energy. (Spiegel, C.2007). Hydrogen existing in nature: Hydrogen is the most abundant element in our very own universe making up 75% of all the matter (mass) that surrounds us. It also has the largest number of atoms in the known universe, about 90% of all atoms in the universe. Planets, stars and other celestial bodies are abundant with hydrogen. It also controls the fission and fusion reactions that run our Sun and controls star lives. The type of hydrogen found in our living earth is in the form of molecular hydrogen while the universe contains hydrogen in the atomic and plasma states. Plasma state differs from ordinary hydrogen in a manner that its electrical conductivity and emissivity is very high due to the proton-proton bounding. Their particles are easily attracted towards electric and magnetic field. In stars hydrogen exists in the neutral atomic state. Apart from the abundance in the universe, hydrogen gas is in much less quantity in our planet. The reason for this difference is the less density of earth and low weight of hydrogen that aids it in excavating itself away from the earth’s atmosphere. It exists in earth in the form of hydrocarbons and in the water ( 2/3rd ratio of earth), making H2 the 3rd largest found element on earth. Hydrogen sources are methane and some bacteria and algae. (Hoffmann, P.2001). According to an approximation, each 9/10 atoms in this universe are hydrogen. Hydrogen was discovered by a British fellow, Henry Cavendish in 1766, where he also proved hydrogen to be an integral part of water. Hydrogen combines with nearly every element of the periodic table, existing in nature in the form of sugars, alcohols, acids, fuels, carbonates, phenols, etc. The necessary element for fuel cells is hydrogen. Due its abundance and combinations with nearly every compound, hydrogen can be extracted from any of such compounds and has the ability to provide as a source of green energy. The reason lies in the manufacturing process of hydrogen and its chemistry that enables green service. (Gupta, R. B.2009) Now the question is to where we can find hydrogen to run the fuel cells? Fuel cells usually come up with reformers or the hydrogen generators. The ultimate and everlasting solution of the problems lies in solar powered fuel stations. Methane producers and natural gas produces can store hydrogen after it is formed as a raw product during extractions. Using Hydrogen as fuel in vehicles: A vehicle that can use Hydrogen as a fuel to run its counterparts is now possible. Hydrogen vehicles are in wide range from space rockets, automobiles and other transportation vehicles. The power production in these vehicles are of two types: one is the conversion of hydrogen’s chemical power to mechanical force that runs the engine while the second one is the burning of oxygen and hydrogen in fuel cells/tanks to run electric motors that produce motive force for the engine. “Hydrogen economy” a number of proposals recently put forth by industrials for the green revolution aims to spread hydrogen fueled cars in the near future. Hydrogen fuel is an energy carrier but not a fuel as it’s not easily found in the atomic state on earth. The current production of hydrogen comes from methane production lines or as the by-product of different fossil fuel productions. We are deficient in technology to extract hydrogen from natural non-renewable sources like wind, sun, and water at cheap costs or the surplus amount of hydrogen energy can easily solve the energy crisis. (Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., & Emadi, A.2010) Pros of uses hydrogen fuel cells: The electrolytic diffusion of hydrogen is a 100% pure process. Also the hydrogen fuel cells do not emit the harmful CO2 gas in the earth’s atmosphere. Hydrogen is a light gas and its refueling is even easier than ordinary gasoline. It’s present in the atmosphere all around us in abundance. No chance of lack of hydrogen resource Hydrogen fuel cells are proven to provide better mileage than gasoline or petrol If the production charges are decreased, the cost for hydrogen will be easily affordable. Cons of using hydrogen fuel cells: It will take time and money to establish hydrogen infrastructure i.e. fuel tanks and refueling stations. Electrolysis (100% efficient method) is very expensive. Lesser people will be able to afford hydrogen fueled vehicle. It’s rarely available in the atomic state. (Birkmayer, G. D.2009) Conclusion Hydrogen energy and fuel cells are the future of the world. We live on the verge of time where non-renewable resources need to be used to solve the ultimate energy crisis and hydrogen can be the first step towards a new beginning. Hydrogen fuel cells once entering the market can facilitate every range of customer internationally. References: Spiegel, C. (2007). Designing and building fuel cells. New York: McGraw-Hill. Hoffmann, P. (2001). Tomorrow's energy: Hydrogen, fuel cells, and the prospects for a cleaner planet. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Gupta, R. B. (2009). Hydrogen fuel: Production, transport, and storage. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., & Emadi, A. (2010). Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles: Fundamentals, theory, and design. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Logan, B. E. (2008). Microbial fuel cells. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley-Interscience. Morgan, S. (2007). From windmills to hydrogen fuel cells: Discovering alternative energy. Chicago: Heinemann Library Birkmayer, G. D. (2009). NADH, the biological hydrogen: The secret of our life energy. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications. http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/C-K/Hydrogen.html#ixzz1rplmwLn6 http://hydrogendiscoveries.wordpress.com… NASA Technical Note, May 1977, "Emissions and Total Energy Consumption of a Multicylinder Piston Engine Running on Gasoline and a Hydrogen–Gasoline Mixture" (Accessed 2008-08-08) Idaho National Laboratory on Fuel Enhancement http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydrogen-fuel/ Ekoto, I. W., Merilo, E. G., Dedrick, D. E., & Groethe, M. A. (2011). Performance-based testing for hydrogen leakage into passenger vehicle compartments. International Journal Of Hydrogen Energy, 36(16), 10169-10178. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.05.007 Rodionov, A., Wilkening, H., & Moretto, P. (2011). Risk assessment of hydrogen explosion for Private car with hydrogen-driven engine. International Journal Of Hydrogen Energy, 36(3), 2398-2406. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.04.089 Hu, H., & Green, R. (2011). Making markets for hydrogen vehicles: Lessons from LPG. International Journal Of Hydrogen Energy, 36(11), 6399-6406. Read More