Simpler process and higher efficiency creates great expectations for consumer market
Waseda University researchers have developed a new method for producing hydrogen, which is fast, irreversible, and takes place at much lower temperature using less energy. This innovation is expected to contribute to the spread of fuel cell systems for automobiles and homes.
Hydrogen has normally been extracted from methane and steam using a nickel catalyst at temperatures of over 700°C. However, the high temperature creates major challenges for widespread use.
The group led by Professor Yasushi Sekine, Waseda University Faculty of Science and Engineering, developed a method which allows hydrogen extraction at temperatures as low as 150~200°C. This shift greatly reduces energy input needed to produce hydrogen fuel, extends catalyst life, reduces the cost of construction materials, and reduces complexity of heat-management (cooling) systems.
Although the research group had already seen that a fast reaction would be possible even in the range of 150~200°C by applying a weak electric fields (surface protonics), the mechanism had not been fully understood.
In this research, the group is the first to explain the mechanism by observing the catalyst during reaction. Protons move quickly through water adsorbed on the catalyst’s surface, and protons’ surface “hopping” allows reaction to proceed at low temperatures. Furthermore, the collision of the protons and the adsorbents prevents reversal of the reaction.
As momentum grows for the commercialization of hydrogen, this research is not only applicable to hydrogen production, but also to many consumer products since the same mechanism makes it possible to lower the temperature for various reactions involving hydrogen or water. The process is already being applied to research for improving energy efficiency in automobiles by creating reactions between exhaust gases and fuel at low temperature.
Learn more: New process produces hydrogen at much lower temperature
The Latest on: Hydrogen production
[google_news title=”” keyword=”hydrogen production” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Hydrogen production
- Longer-Lasting and More Sustainable Green Hydrogen Productionon April 29, 2024 at 4:47 pm
New catalyst offers better stability and significantly longer lifetime, improves extraction of hydrogen from water ...
- Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicles: Everything You Need to Knowon April 29, 2024 at 10:20 am
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are related to electric cars, but these machines have pros and cons that make them different from the typical battery-powered EV.
- Metal Waste Could Be Used as a Catalyst for More Sustainable Hydrogen Production, Researchers Sayon April 29, 2024 at 7:44 am
Researchers have found a way to reuse metal waste as an electrocatalyst that can split water (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen, which could be help make ...
- Cleveland-Cliffs planning major investments in 'game-changer' hydrogen, anticipating it could drive major economic development in Regionon April 29, 2024 at 6:00 am
"In this area, we are going to have the most important thing, a game-changer, hydrogen. Hydrogen is coming," CEO Lourenco Goncalves said. "Hydrogen is a game-changer." ...
- Green hydrogen: A climate change solution or fossil fuel bait and switch?on April 29, 2024 at 5:18 am
To help solve the climate crisis, $750 million could flow to the Philadelphia region to create a hydrogen economy. But some say it’s a deceit to help the fossil fuel industry.
- Hydrogen markets soar towards transparent future amid global growthon April 29, 2024 at 5:01 am
In the rapidly evolving landscape of low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia markets, the pursuit of pricing transparency is gaining momentum, according to an analysis by S&P Global Commodity Insights.The ...
- Axpo and Rhiienergie open largest green hydrogen production plant in Switzerlandon April 29, 2024 at 2:03 am
Axpo and Rhiienergie have opened the first green hydrogen production plant in Switzerland’s Graubünden canton.
- Beaulieu: Hydrogen is not the answeron April 28, 2024 at 2:01 am
Solar power and battery storage are clean energy solutions but “clean hydrogen” and “green biofuels” are misnomers used by Granite Shore Power.
- World’s first hydrogen station for commercial trucks opens – is it too late?on April 27, 2024 at 7:58 am
FirstElement Fuels has opened the world's first large-scale hydrogen fueling station for heavy-duty commercial trucks at Port of Oakland.
via Bing News