on video how to make a hydrogen fuel cell

 how to make a hydrogen fuel cell

How to make hydrogen? The methods

Dissociating a molecule of methane or water to obtain two atoms of hydrogen (H2) requires a lot of energy. In this sense, can we consider that hydrogen is clean? Everything really depends on the energy used for its production.

There are three methods for making hydrogen: water electrolysis, gas reforming (or steam reforming) and methane pyrolysis. The point in picture!

Gray or “fossil” hydrogen

Fossil hydrogen is the most common form. Made up of natural gas, this atom is obtained from the steam reforming of fossil gas, that is to say by the separation of carbon and hydrogen molecules.

But beware, the production of gray hydrogen has a major drawback: it releases approximately 9.3 kg of CO2 per kilo of hydrogen.

Brown or black hydrogen

Brown or black hydrogen is obtained via gasification by heat treatment. This manufacturing process consists of transforming coal or fossil or organic matter into gas. The hydrogen molecule is then isolated by steam reforming.

These two nuances each depend on the material used. Thus, the gasification of lignite (a variety of coal which concentrates more oxygen and hydrogen than black coal) produces brown hydrogen. Black hydrogen is obtained thanks to the gasification… of coal, quite simply!

Be careful, producing brown or black hydrogen is highly polluting. Since carbon dioxide and monoxide cannot be reused, producers are forced to release them into nature.

blue hydrogen

Blue hydrogen is obtained through the steam reforming of methane. During its production, CO2 emissions are captured and then stored in the ground. The goal ? Avoid polluting the atmosphere by releasing them. This makes it a so-called “low-carbon” energy source, since despite everything, 10 to 20% of these emissions cannot be captured.

What is the water electrolysis process?

Green or “clean” hydrogen

Green hydrogen is formed via the electrolysis of water, whose electricity comes from renewable energies. This clean hydrogen releases only oxygen.

Unfortunately, it is only produced on a very small scale (only 1% of total production). This is why the European Commission wishes to set up a support strategy. The goal: to respond to the challenges of a clean Europe.

Note: the feasibility of a project of such magnitude is still to be debated.

yellow hydrogen

The electrolysis of water also makes it possible to obtain yellow hydrogen. What distinguishes it from green hydrogen: electrolysis is carried out using nuclear energy.

What is the methane pyrolysis process?

Currently being tested in Germany, methane pyrolysis consists of the thermal dissociation of methane from natural gas. This is separated at a very high temperature to isolate gaseous hydrogen and solid carbon.

The hydrogen atoms obtained are used to fuel cars and generate electricity. As for solid carbon, it is captured by various processes and can be used, for example, to make pencil leads.

This is called turquoise hydrogen, an alternative to blue hydrogen obtained by steam reforming of methane. It is also produced at low carbon, therefore less polluting.

Turquoise hydrogen, a lead for the future of natural gas

The energy transition has become a major issue, including for the largest natural gas producers. In this sense, several actions have been implemented:

Active monitoring of the recommendations of the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures);

Participation in consortia, coordination councils, within associations on issues of production, storage and use of turquoise hydrogen;

Identification of priorities for the development of hydrogen manufacturing and implementation methods.

The end goal? Demonstrate that natural gas is able to adapt to the low carbon transition.

Whether they are more or less effective in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, there are many hydrogen manufacturing processes. All eyes are therefore on this atom, which seems promising from an ecological point of view. Top hearts !

 how to make a hydrogen fuel cell

How to make hydrogen? The methods

Dissociating a molecule of methane or water to obtain two atoms of hydrogen (H2) requires a lot of energy. In this sense, can we consider that hydrogen is clean? Everything really depends on the energy used for its production.

There are three methods for making hydrogen: water electrolysis, gas reforming (or steam reforming) and methane pyrolysis. The point in picture!

Gray or “fossil” hydrogen

Fossil hydrogen is the most common form. Made up of natural gas, this atom is obtained from the steam reforming of fossil gas, that is to say by the separation of carbon and hydrogen molecules.

But beware, the production of gray hydrogen has a major drawback: it releases approximately 9.3 kg of CO2 per kilo of hydrogen.

Brown or black hydrogen

Brown or black hydrogen is obtained via gasification by heat treatment. This manufacturing process consists of transforming coal or fossil or organic matter into gas. The hydrogen molecule is then isolated by steam reforming.

These two nuances each depend on the material used. Thus, the gasification of lignite (a variety of coal which concentrates more oxygen and hydrogen than black coal) produces brown hydrogen. Black hydrogen is obtained thanks to the gasification… of coal, quite simply!

Be careful, producing brown or black hydrogen is highly polluting. Since carbon dioxide and monoxide cannot be reused, producers are forced to release them into nature.

blue hydrogen

Blue hydrogen is obtained through the steam reforming of methane. During its production, CO2 emissions are captured and then stored in the ground. The goal ? Avoid polluting the atmosphere by releasing them. This makes it a so-called “low-carbon” energy source, since despite everything, 10 to 20% of these emissions cannot be captured.

What is the water electrolysis process?

Green or “clean” hydrogen

Green hydrogen is formed via the electrolysis of water, whose electricity comes from renewable energies. This clean hydrogen releases only oxygen.

Unfortunately, it is only produced on a very small scale (only 1% of total production). This is why the European Commission wishes to set up a support strategy. The goal: to respond to the challenges of a clean Europe.

Note: the feasibility of a project of such magnitude is still to be debated.

yellow hydrogen

The electrolysis of water also makes it possible to obtain yellow hydrogen. What distinguishes it from green hydrogen: electrolysis is carried out using nuclear energy.

What is the methane pyrolysis process?

Currently being tested in Germany, methane pyrolysis consists of the thermal dissociation of methane from natural gas. This is separated at a very high temperature to isolate gaseous hydrogen and solid carbon.

The hydrogen atoms obtained are used to fuel cars and generate electricity. As for solid carbon, it is captured by various processes and can be used, for example, to make pencil leads.

This is called turquoise hydrogen, an alternative to blue hydrogen obtained by steam reforming of methane. It is also produced at low carbon, therefore less polluting.

Turquoise hydrogen, a lead for the future of natural gas

The energy transition has become a major issue, including for the largest natural gas producers. In this sense, several actions have been implemented:

Active monitoring of the recommendations of the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures);

Participation in consortia, coordination councils, within associations on issues of production, storage and use of turquoise hydrogen;

Identification of priorities for the development of hydrogen manufacturing and implementation methods.

The end goal? Demonstrate that natural gas is able to adapt to the low carbon transition.

Whether they are more or less effective in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, there are many hydrogen manufacturing processes. All eyes are therefore on this atom, which seems promising from an ecological point of view. Top hearts !