What are the main application fields of Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the lightest gas, colorless and odorless, and its application fields are wide and related to people's livelihood.
First, in the field of energy, hydrogen is a clean and efficient energy source. Taking the vehicle as an example, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles generate electricity through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen for vehicle driving. The only product of this process is water, which does not emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. In today's world of reducing emissions and responding to climate change, hydrogen energy vehicles are expected to become an innovative direction of transportation power, solving the pollution problem of traditional fuel vehicles, and their high energy density and long battery life also have potential.
Second, in the chemical industry, the role of hydrogen is crucial. Ammonia is synthesized by using hydrogen and nitrogen as raw materials and reacting under high temperature and pressure and catalyst conditions. Ammonia is the key to the manufacture of chemical fertilizers, is related to global food production, and is of great significance to ensuring human food supply. In petroleum refining, hydrogen can be used for hydrorefining to remove sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen and other impurities from petroleum products, improve the quality of oil products, make fuel cleaner, and meet the requirements of environmental regulations.
Third, in the metallurgical industry, hydrogen has also emerged. Traditional steel smelting uses coke, which has a large carbon emissions. The direct reduction of iron technology using hydrogen to replace carbon has emerged. Hydrogen reacts with iron ore to reduce iron. This process only produces water, which greatly reduces carbon emissions in the steel industry and provides a path for the green transformation of the metallurgical industry.
Fourth, in terms of energy storage, hydrogen also has advantages. In renewable energy generation such as wind and solar energy, its power output is unstable. The excess electricity can be electrolyzed into water to produce hydrogen, and the electricity can be stored in the form of chemical energy of hydrogen. When electricity is needed, the chemical energy of hydrogen can be converted into electricity through fuel cells to achieve flexible storage and utilization of electricity, making up for the shortcomings of renewable energy generation.
What are the Production Methods of Hydrogen?
The method of hydrogen production has existed in ancient times, and it is also diverse today. Try it for Jun Chenzhi.
First, the water gas conversion method. React coal or coke with water vapor at high temperature to generate hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The reaction formula is:\ (C + H_ {2} O\ stackrel {high temperature }{=\!=\!=} CO + H_ {2}\), in which carbon monoxide can be reacted with water vapor to produce more hydrogen. The raw materials for this method are easy to obtain, but the use of coal is more likely to be polluted.
Second, the electrolysis of water method. Through current to water, water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen. The reaction formula is:\ (2H_ {2} O\ stackrel {energized }{=\!=\!=} 2H_ {2}\ uparrow + O_ {2}\ uparrow\). The product of this hydrogen production process is pure, but it consumes a lot of electricity and is expensive.
Third, the natural gas reforming method. The main component of natural gas is methane and water vapor under the action of a catalyst, and the reaction formula is:\ (CH_ {4} + H_ {2} O\ stackrel {catalyst} {\ stackrel {high temperature }{=\!=\! =}} CO + 3H_ {2}\). Natural gas is a clean fuel. This method has high efficiency and relatively suitable cost. It is widely used today.
Fourth, the biological hydrogen production method. With the help of microorganisms, such as photosynthetic bacteria, anaerobic fermentation bacteria, etc., decompose organic matter or water under specific conditions to produce hydrogen. This is the way of green environmental protection, but the technology is still in the development stage, and the hydrogen production efficiency needs to be improved.
Hydrogen production methods have advantages and disadvantages, and need to be selected according to different needs, resource conditions and economic considerations.
What are the advantages of Hydrogen over other energy sources?
Hydrogen, compared with other energy sources, has three advantages. First, the source is wide. Water is widely distributed in the world, and water contains hydrogen. Electrolysis, hydrogen can be obtained. And biomass, fossil fuels, etc. can produce hydrogen, so its sources are wide, and other energy sources are available.
Second, clean. Hydrogen combustion, the product is only water, and there is no sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, etc. polluted in gas, which is good for the environment. At present, the world is worried about the pollution of the environment, seeking clean energy, and hydrogen is needed for tomorrow's energy.
Third, high energy. The calorific value of hydrogen is high, and the energy released per gram of hydrogen combustion is about 2.8 times that of gasoline. Using hydrogen as energy, it can provide strong power for devices, vehicles, machines, etc., and has good battery life.
And hydrogen has excellent energy storage. Electricity can produce hydrogen and store it, and it needs to be converted when it is needed, slowing down the problem of power peaks and valleys. And its transportation and storage can be transported by pipeline or vehicle, and it should be used differently.
Therefore, hydrogen is more energy than other energy sources, with a wide source, cleanliness, high energy and convenient energy storage. In the future energy situation, there must be a heavy position. It is a new way of energy and leads to changes in the world.
Hydrogen Storage and Transportation Challenges
The storage and transportation of hydrogen is actually facing many challenges. Hydrogen is lively in nature and difficult to store, bearing the brunt. Because of its extremely low boiling point, about -253 ° C, to store it in a liquid state, extremely low temperature conditions are required, which is a major test in terms of equipment and energy consumption. If it is stored in a high-pressure gaseous state, although no low temperature is required, it is not easy to manufacture and protect high-pressure vessels. It is necessary to ensure that the container material is strong and well sealed to prevent hydrogen leakage.
Furthermore, transportation is also difficult. If hydrogen is transported by pipeline, the construction cost of the pipeline is high, and it is necessary to prevent hydrogen embrittlement. Hydrogen embrittlement will degrade the performance of pipeline materials and endanger transportation safety. If vehicles are used for transportation, whether it is gaseous or liquid hydrogen, the transportation equipment requirements are strict. Gases require high-pressure storage devices, liquids require low-temperature insulation equipment, and safety during transportation also needs to be carefully considered. If there is a slight carelessness, hydrogen leakage may cause explosion in case of open fire or static electricity.
In addition, the infrastructure for hydrogen storage and transportation is not perfect. The number of hydrogen refueling stations is scarce, making it difficult to meet the needs of the wide application of hydrogen energy in the future. It is urgent to promote hydrogen energy on a large scale, improve the infrastructure, and improve the technical level of storage and transportation.
How to Ensure Hydrogen Safety
Hydrogen is a light and flammable gas. To ensure its safety, various measures need to be taken.
First storage. When filled in a special container, the material must be sturdy and airtight to prevent leakage. And the hydrogen storage place should be selected in an open and well-ventilated place, away from fire sources, heat sources and crowded places. If hydrogen is stored in a secret room, there is a slight leakage, and it will explode in case of open fire, which is dangerous.
The second is transportation. Vehicles transporting hydrogen should be equipped with professional protective devices, and the driver must be familiar with the characteristics of hydrogen and emergency measures. During transportation, strictly abide by traffic rules, drive slowly and steadily, and avoid emergency brakes and collisions to prevent hydrogen from escaping due to damage to the container.
Furthermore, when using it, it must be operated according to the specifications. Use hydrogen in a well-ventilated environment, and fireworks are prohibited around. Before starting hydrogen equipment, check its airtightness and operating conditions carefully. If there is a fault, repair it quickly and do not use it rashly.
In addition, personnel training is also essential. All hydrogen workers should be aware of its dangers and clear safety procedures. Regular drills are carried out so that everyone can respond calmly in the event of an emergency, and take effective measures quickly to reduce damage and avoid risks.
In short, to ensure the safety of hydrogen, it is necessary to strictly abide by regulations in all aspects of storage, transportation and use, and strengthen personnel training and emergency preparedness in order to prevent problems before they occur and avoid disasters.