HYDROGEN

Technology

Introduction to Hydrogen Underground coal gasification enables many of the first steps that are required for us to move to Hydrogen as our primary low carbon fuel. The production process that gives us our synthetic gas for processing into FT Diesel, chemical feed stock and electrical power from Hydrogen it also provides us with an ideal long term storage cavity for C02. Unlike producing hydrogen from water that consumes a large amount of electrical power, the processing of syngas into Hydrogen can be done efficiently today using steam reforming. When burnt in a fuel cell or converted internal combustion engine all hydrogen produces water as its main waste product.




WHY HYDROGEN? >>


	Hydrogen is the simplest, lightest element in the universe. It is made up of one proton and one electron. Because of its simplicity, it is believed by some that hydrogen is the root of all elements. It’s Light! When hydrogen escapes into the atmosphere, it is so light that it scatters immediately upward in the air (it’s 14 times lighter than air). This means that a hydrogen spill won’t pool on the ground, pollute groundwater, or soak into clothing—it removes itself! It’s Everywhere! Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, making up more that 90% of all matter. On Earth, it is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s surface, found in water and all organic matter. What’s Its Nature? In its normal gaseous state, hydrogen is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and is nontoxic, which makes it different from every other common fuel we use. What Happens When Hydrogen Burns? Hydrogen burns readily with oxygen, releasing considerable energy as heat and producing only water as exhaust. When hydrogen burns in air (which is mostly nitrogen), some oxides of nitrogen (NOx, contributors to smog and acid rain) can be formed, but much fewer pollutants are formed than when normal hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel are burned. Because no carbon is involved, using hydrogen fuel eliminates carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and does not contribute to global warming.	The Nature of Hydrogen Hydrogen is less flammable than gasoline. The self-ignition temperature of hydrogen is 550 degrees Celsius. Gasoline varies from 228-501 degrees Celsius, depending on the grade. When the Hindenburg burned, it took some time before the hydrogen bags were ignited. Hydrogen disperses quickly. Being the lightest element (fourteen times lighter than air), hydrogen rises and spreads out quickly in the atmosphere. So when a leak occurs, the hydrogen gas quickly becomes so sparse that it cannot burn. Even when ignited, hydrogen burns upward, and is quickly consumed. By contrast, materials such as gasoline and diesel vapors are heavier than air, and will not disperse, remaining a flammable threat for much longer. Hydrogen is a non-toxic, naturally-occurring element in the atmosphere. By comparison, all petroleum fuels are poisonous to humans.