Hydrogen as a Alternative
fuels
INTRODUCTION
Possible fuel of future
Most abundant element in the universe
Colourless, Odourless and non-toxic
Global warming potential of hydrogen is insignificant in comparison to
hydrocarbon based fuels
Supply infrastructure cost
Fuel storage and refueling for automobiles
Delivery, dispensing and storage expenses
Lack of consumer infrastructure
Pipes and fittings can become brittle
Production of Hydrogen
Electrolysis of water.
Water electrolysis involves splitting water molecule into hydrogen
and oxygen atoms by passing a direct current through it.
The rate of H2 generation is related to current density
The capital cost of an electrolysis plant is very high
Catalytic steam reforming of natural gas.
• It is an economical method
• The process involves catalytic conversion of
hydrocarbons using steam to form hydrogen and carbon
oxides.
• Naptha - Feedstock
Cn Hm + n H2O nCO + (n + m/2) H2 Synthesis gas generation.
Water-gas shift.
Gas purification.
CO + H2O CO2 + H2
Partial oxidation of heavy oil.
Coal gasification.
Steam iron process.
Thermal cracking of natural gas
Hydrogen Storage Technologies
Store hydrogen as a compressed gas
Least costly method
Safety problems (Danger factor)
Pressure 200 to 700 bar
Store the hydrogen as a liquid
Cryogenic storage
Liquefied hydrogen(-253ºC)
Internal pressure(0.6 MPa)
Store as a solid hydride
Metal hydride (Iron – titanium hydride FeTiH2)
Sponge absorbs water
More hydrogen storage for a given volume
High density
Comparable volumetric storage capabilities
Both the techniques require 10 times space required by the 5 gallons
gasoline tank
Heating energy
Heating coil
Waste exhaust gas
Waste radiator coolant heat
By adsorption on activated carbon or carbon nanotubes
Compatibility with IC Engine
Flash back tendency into the intake manifold
Embrittlerment of the iron components
Hydrogen (Metal Hydride Tank)
Properties H2 HCNG 5 CNG Gasoline
Limits of Flammability in air, 4-75 5-35 5-15 1.0 -7.6
vol %
Stoichiometric composition in 29.53 22.8 9.48 1.76
air, vol %
Minimum energy for ignition in 0.02 0.21 0.29 0.24
air, mJ
Auto ignition Temp, K 858 825 813 501-744
Flame Temperature in air, K 2318 2210 2148 2470
Burning Velocity in NTPa air, 325 110 45 37-43
cms-1
Quenching gap in NTP air, cm 0.064 0.152 0.203 0.2
Normalized Flame Emissivity 1.0 1.5 1.7 1.7
Equivalence ratio 0.1-7.1 0.5-5.4 0.7-4 0.7-3.8
Methane Number 0 76 80 -
a
NTP denotes normal temperature(293.15K) and pressure(1atm)
Properties of Hydrogen
Low density
High self ignition temperature
Excellent combustion properties
Low emissions
Wider flammability limits(4- 75%)
High flame speed (Fast burning rate)
Minimum ignition energy
Diffusivity (Easily mixes with air)
HYDROGEN USE IN GASOLENE ENGINES
TIMED MANIFOLD INJECTION
Performance in hydrogen engines
Reduced power in comparison to gasoline engine
High thermal efficiency and low NOx at part load
No CO,HC,SOX and Particulates
NOx is the only pollutant of concern
NOx increases as the fuel ratio increases
Tendency to flashback into the intake manifold
Addition of hydrogen increases the H/C ratio of the fuel. A higher H/C
ratio re-sults in less CO2 per unit of energy pro-duced and thereby
reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Natural gas has low flame speed while hydrogen has the flame
speed about eight times higher ; therefore, when excess air ratio is
much higher than the stoichiometric condition, the combustion of
natural gas is not as stable as HCNG. The problem encountered
using natural gas is that the engine will experience incomplete
combustion (misfire) before sufficient NOx reductions are achieved.
Adding hydrogen to the fuel extends the amount of charge dilution
that can be achieved while still maintaining efficient combustion .
Hydrogen also has a very low energy density per unit volume
and as a result, volumetric heating value of the HCNG
mixture decreases as the proportion of hydrogen is increased
in the mixture
Blends of HCNG ranging from 15-30% extend the lean
operating limit ensuring complete combustion which
reduces HC and CO emissions
The laminar burning speed of hydrogen is nearly eight
times higher than that of natural gas, so the addition of
hydrogen can increase the burning velocity of the mixture,
and it brings some advantages such as shorter ombustion
duration, greater degree of constant volume combustion
and improved indicated thermal efficiency.
Challenges of HCNG
HCNG storage and supply infrastructure.
Efforts to be focused on responding to fuel system performance,
material compatibility.
Emission testing with more ranges of hydrogen in HCNG blends.
Continuous availability of HCNG needs to be assured before
embarking on its major use in IC engines.
Continued engine performance, emissions and durability testing in
variety of engine types and sizes need to be developed to increase
consumer and manufacturer confidence.
Development of less expensive quality tests.
