University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team

Alternative Fuels - Hydrogen Technology

Hydrogen technology can be divided into two areas: Combustion and Fuel Cells. Both technologies use hydrogen as a fuel source but energy production differs significantly between the two of them. [ Hydrogen Periodic Table Picture ]

Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element. A hydrogen atom consists of a single proton in the nucleus and one electron. Despite it being abundant, hydrogen is not lying around for us to readily use it.

Hydrogen's main source of generation is from steam reforming and electrolysis. Steam reforming converts methane and other hydrocarbons into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The reaction, assisted by a nickel catalyst, occurs with the use of steam.

Another method for producing hydrogen is electrolysis. Electrolysis is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Electrical current is passed through water and hydrogen forms at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.

Some of the most promising sources of hydrogen production are solar, wind and geothermal. With each of these methods, the energy captured is converted into electricity which is then used in the electrolysis of water. Once the water is converted into hydrogen and oxygen, the hydrogen can be stored until needed. This delay in energy production and energy utilization could change "how" and more importantly "when" we currently produce electricity to meet demand.

The largest benefit of hydrogen as a fuel is that it will decrease the use of gasoline which has increasing prices. Hydrogen can be produced anywhere there is water and electricity. Hydrogen will also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and in doing so, will improve air quality.

Hydrogen technology has increased energy efficiency. All internal-combustion engines have efficiencies less than 30% due to thermodynamic theory under which they operate. Fuel cells, on the other hand, have efficiencies closer to 40-60%.

Like all fuels, caution should be taken when using them. Pure hydrogen is flammable and a significant amount of work has been done to improve the safety of storing hydrogen on board an automobile.