Exploring Hydrogen Fuel: Environmental Benefits and Production Methods in British Columbia Report

The Promise and Challenges of Hydrogen Fuel as an Alternative to Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuel such as petrol has been a power source for a long time. However, the alarming increase in environmental pollution has made the globe look for alternative fuel sources that are friendly to the environment. Hydrogen fuel is one of the alternative sources recommended due to its lower pollution; however, its insufficiency has made it difficult to use fully. Hydrogen fuel has several benefits over conventional fossil fuels.

Environmental Impact

Unlike conventional fuel which emits poisonous gases such as nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter during combustion, which is responsible for the environment, hydrogen fuel is known for producing water (H2O) and warm air as the only wastes during combustion. As a result, it is less harmful to the environment when used in transportation (Aminudin et al., 2023). Vehicles and other transport devices using hydrogen fuel do not emit harmful substances but purely water and warm air, thus protecting the environment.

The Production Process in British Columbia

Raw hydrogen exists in the molecules of other elements; therefore, it must be separated from the constituent elements to use it. Hydrogen originates from many sources, and various methods are used to produce it for fuel. However, steam-methane reforming and electrolysis are the most common production methods (Li et al., 2022). The British Columbia hydrogen production firm uses the steam-methane reformation to generate hydrogen.

Steam-Methane Reforming

The process depends on natural gas as the source of hydrogen. Under the process, steam-methane is used to separate hydrogens from carbon atoms in the methane gas. Methane gas is subjected to a high-temperature steam under extreme pressure, and a catalyst is added, producing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and less carbon dioxide (Li et al., 2022). After that, the hydrogen product is collected for use as fuel. Steam-methane reforming production method is the most common and accounts for the most significant amount of hydrogen used commercially in the United States.

Differences Between Grey, Green, and Blue Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electric current. The electric energy is generated from renewable sources such as water, wind, or solar, making green hydrogen the cleanest. Blue hydrogen is produced by subjecting methane gas to a high temperature under extreme pressure in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a small amount of carbon dioxide (Tarasenko et al., 2022).

Blue hydrogen is clean and environmentally friendly, thus safe for usage as fuel. On the other hand, grey hydrogen is a mixture of hydrogen and greenhouse gases. It is produced through the steam methane reformation process. However, the poisonous carbon is not captured and stored, making it unclean.

Production Process with the Least CO2 Release

Electrolysis

Another method occasionally used to produce hydrogen is electrolysis. Under this process, hydrogen is split from water using an electric current. The method produces not harmful byproducts but hydrogen and oxygen, making it environmentally friendly (Tarasenko et al., 2022). The electrolysis procedure depends on electricity from renewable sources and natural gas. The process contributes to the least or no release of CO2 gas.

Environmental Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel is advantageous because it generates water and warm air during combustion, thereby does not poison the environment, unlike conventional fossil which emits poisonous greenhouse gasses such as nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, among others that pollute the environment (Aminudin et al., 2023). However, hydrogen fuel can hurt the environment and cause pollution if grey hydrogen is used. The grey hydrogen comprises harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, which are unfriendly.

References

Aminudin, M. A., Kamarudin, S. K., Lim, B. H., Majilan, E. H., Masdar, M. S., & Shaari, N. (2023). An overview: Current progress on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 48(11), 4371-4388. Web.

Li, S., Djilali, N., Rosen, M. A., Crawford, C., & Sui, P. C. (2022). Transition of heavy‐duty trucks from diesel to hydrogen fuel cells: Opportunities, challenges, and recommendations. International Journal of Energy Research, 46(9), 11718-11729. Web.

Tarasenko, A. B., Kiseleva, S. V., & Popel, O. S. (2022). Hydrogen energy pilot introduction–technology competition. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 47(23), 11991-11997. Web.