Hydrogen Overview
Hydrogen Overview
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe. It is an energy carrier, not an energy source, meaning that it stores and delivers energy in a usable form. In its pure form (H2), it is a colorless and odorless gas. However, since it combines easily with other elements, hydrogen is rarely found by itself in nature and is usually found as a part of other compounds, including fossil fuels, plant material, and water. Hydrogen Production
Hydrogen can be produced using a variety of domestic energy resources - fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, with carbon capture and sequestration; renewables, such as biomass, and renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower; and nuclear power. Specific technologies and processes are described below. Thermochemical Processes
* Steam methane reforming: In this process, high-temperature steam is used to extract hydrogen from a methane source such as natural gas. This is the most common method of producing hydrogen; about 95 percent of the hydrogen we use today in the United States is produced using this process.
* Partial oxidation: Scientists are exploring a process that produces hydrogen by simultaneously separating oxygen from air and partially oxidizing methane.
* Other thermal processes: Other processes include (1) splitting water using heat from a solar concentrator, and (2) gasifying or burning biomass (i.e., biological material, such as plants or agricultural waste) to generate a bio-oil or gas, which is then reformed to produce hydrogen.
Electrolytic Processes
* Electrolysis: In electrolysis, electricity is used to separate water (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen. Current electrolysis systems are very energy intensive. The challenge is to develop low cost and more energy efficient electrolysis technologies.
Photolytic Processes
* Photolytic methods: In photolysis, sunlight is used to split water. Two photolytic processes are being explored: (1) photobiological methods, in which microbes, when exposed to sunlight, split water to produce hydrogen, and (2) photoelectrolysis, in which semi-conductors, when exposed to sunlight and submersed in water, generate enough electricity to produce hydrogen by splitting the water.
Biodiesel from algae may not be as green as it seems
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Two companies in Huntsville are helping Alabama A&M University with a project to convert used vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel to help run campus buses.Toyota Motor Manufacturing'Read more
Alabama A&M Looks to BioDiesel for Buses
Two companies in Huntsville are helping Alabama A&M University with a project to convert used vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel to help run campus buses.'Read more
Ala. A&M gets help to convert cooking oil to fuel
Dozens of bioengineering laboratories are trying to create superalgae that can be used to make diesel or jet fuel.'Read more
Exploring Algae as Fuel
Associated Press - July 27, 2010 11:04 AM ET HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Two companies in Huntsville are helping Alabama A&M University with a project to convert used vegetable oil into...'Read more
Ala. A&M gets help to convert cooking oil to fuel
In a laboratory where almost all the test tubes look green, the tools of modern biotechnology are being applied to lowly pond scum. Different strains of algae are pitted against one another in survival-of-the-fittest contests in an effort to accelerate the evolution of fast-growing, hardy strains.'Read more
Exploring Algae as Fuel
A trial over a set of lawsuits involving the NextDiesel plant in Adrian was delayed to January after a new claim against the biodiesel company for nearly $2.9 million was filed in Lenawee County Circuit Court.'Read more
New $2.9 million claim delays trial over NextDiesel suits
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the selections of six projects that aim to find ways of converting captured carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources into useful products such as fuel, plastics, cement, and fertilizers.'Read more
Secretary Chu Announces Six Projects to Convert Captured CO2 Emissions from Industrial Sources into Useful Products
Two companies in Huntsville are partnering with Alabama A&M University to convert used vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel to help run campus buses.'Read more
Alabama A&M University partners with Toyota plant, Willbrook Solutions in bioenergy project
The following editorial first appeared in the Chicago Tribune:'Read more