Hydrogen current production methods

Since hydrogen production by currently economic methods requires concurrent generation of C02 as the oxygen sink, the dilemma in the present utilization of C02 as a starting material for more reduced organic compounds such as petrochemicals seems complete. Stated simply, an oxygen sink is required in the formation of C—H bonds from C02, but at present that sink is ultimately C02 itself. 

For fuel cell hybrid vehicles, today s vehicle (tank-to-wheel) efficiency is 50 percent, but the well-to-tank efficiency is low. Toyota has set a target of 42 percent total well-to-wheel efficiency (which is three times higher than that of current gasoline vehicles). To achieve this goal, fuel cell vehicle efficiency must be over 60 percent. Simultaneously, Toyota has also requested the energy industry to develop high-efficiency hydrogen production methods to achieve 70 percent or more well-to-tank efficiency. 

For mass production of hydrogen, tlie most cost-effective and widely used process is currently the reforming of natural gas by water vapour. A production method using nuclear power, by high-temperature electrolysis or themiochemical cycles, would meet the requirements of sustainable development, both in resources and in polluting gas emissions. The technical feasibility of these solutions remains to be demonstrated, as does their economic feasibility. 

The Path Forward The near-term outlook is good in that current hydrogen production methods should be adequate for the early stage demands of the hydrogen... 

A theoretical and experimental study of slush hydrogen and its production methods p] is currently in progress. Based on this work, it appears that the capital cost of equipment... 

In total the added value of green hydrogen for the chemical industry is currently rather limited. It cannot compensate the additional costs in comparison to conventionally produced hydrogen, which depend on production method, plant scale, feedstock and further factors. The additional costs typically add up to several Euros per kilogram. 

The HHV of hydrogen is the maximum amount of heat that can be derived from the combustion of H2 when the product water is condensed to 25°C. The energy conversion efficiency for large-scale steam methane reformers is in the range of 70 to 80%, among the highest of current commercially available hydrogen production methods [2],... 

Acrylamide readily undergoes polymerization by conventional free radical methods, ionizing radiation, ultrasonic waves, and ultraviolet radiation. The base-cata-lized hydrogen transfer polymerization of acrylamide yields poly-/3-alanine (Nylon 3) a water insoluble polymer that is soluble in certain hot organics. All current industrial production is believed to be by free radical polymerization. 

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