Hydrogen Energy Systems MECE3260U

Hydrogen Energy Systems

• OntarioTech University Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, MECE3260U - Introduction to Energy Systems course
• Course topic is Hydrogen Energy Systems, delivered by Dr. Ibrahim Dincer, Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

Outline

• Introduction
• Why Hydrogen?
• Hydrogen Production
• Hydrogen Production methods include Electrolyzers
• Hydrogen Storage
• Fuel Cells
• Hydrogen Hubs
• Closing Remarks

Nuclear Fusion

• The sun uses nuclear fusion to create energy.
• Hydrogen atoms are heated to form plasma.
•  Protons in the nuclei fuse to create helium atoms and neutrons, releasing energy.

Canada's Hydrogen Strategy

• Canada aims to produce and use hydrogen by 2050.
• Strategies include network expansion, pipeline development, and creation of new industries for hydrogen use.
• Part of Canada's integrated energy system, incorporating renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
• Canada is among the lowest-cost producers of carbon-free hydrogen globally.

World's Largest PEM Electrolyzer

• Air Liquide completed the construction of the world's largest PEM electrolyzer in Bécancour, Québec.
• The electrolyzer produces low-carbon hydrogen using renewable energy.
• Its capacity increases Bécancour hydrogen production complex by 50%.

Hydrogen Production Methods Classification

• Categorized by energy source (renewables, nuclear, fossil fuels).
• Sub-categories distinguish between those processes that capture carbon and those that do not.
• Coal, oil, and natural gas all have a high carbon footprint in production.
• Nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal produce hydrogen with very low carbon footprint

LCA of Hydrogen Production Methods

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in hydrogen production from various energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, solar thermal, PV, wind hydro, large hydro, biomass).
• Different production methods have vastly different CO2 emissions

Hydrogen 1.0: A New Age

• The evolving nature of society, moving from Industry 4.0 towards the next stage (Society 5.0).
• The integration of hydrogen energy technologies in developing a new sustainable society.
• Discussion of different types of societies, from hunting-gathering to Agrarian, then to Industrial and now moving towards Information Societies and the transition to Hydrogen.

Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production

• Electricity is used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• An electrolyzer is the device that splits water.
• The process involves an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte (with a membrane).

Specifications of Electrolysers

• Different types of electrolyzers (Alkaline, PEM, SOE, AEM) have different characteristics.
• Electrolyzers differ in terms of electrolyte type, operating temperature, pressure, stack lifetime, technology maturity.
• Cost of the electrolyzers varies significantly from one type to another.

Textile Wastewater Treatment

• Industrial processes use wastewater to produce hydrogen.
• Various stages, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, membrane filtration, and Reverse Osmosis, treat the wastewater.
• Captured CO2, and other byproducts.
• Production of hydrogen using wastewater and other byproducts is a useful use-case to reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes, and also produce useful fuels.

Fuel Cells

• Hydrogen and oxygen react to generate electricity and water in a fuel cell.
• The fuel cell system consists of a hydrogen and oxygen source, electrolyzers, a membrane separating anode and cathode, and components for electric power generation.

Electric Current Generation by Fuel Cell

• Hydrogen and oxygen reactions in a fuel cell produce electricity, while water and some heat is released as byproducts.

Fuel Cell Types

• PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) is a type of fuel cell.
• PEMFC advantages and disadvantages: fast, compact, no corrosive liquids, but needs expensive catalysts.
• PEMFC reactions (anode and cathode reactions, overall reaction).

Typical of Fuel Cell Technologies

• Comparison of different fuel cell types (e.g. PEM, Alkaline, Phosphoric Acid, Molten Carbonate, Solid Oxide).
• The different fuel types, the operating temperature range, stack size, electrical efficiency, and applications of these fuel cell types are all listed.

Industrial Hydrogen Tank Types

• Various types of hydrogen tanks (Type 1 – All Metal, Type 2 - Metal liner with composite structural hoops, Type 3 – Metal liner with full composite wrap, Type 4 - Full composite wrap with plastic liner) are used for different applications.
• Safety features, material properties are crucial for tank design.

Hydrogen Storage Options

• Methods for storing hydrogen (compressed gas, liquid hydrogen, adsorbed hydrogen, interstitial hydrides, complex hydrides, and chemical hydrides).
• The best way to store hydrogen depends on what the application is.

Hydrogen Hub in Oshawa, ON

• A proposed hub facilitating hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization in the Oshawa region.
• The hub involves integration of different sectors (academia, industry, policies, and government) to effectively integrate renewable hydrogen into the economy.

Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions in Hydrogen Sector Development

• This section covers different challenges that need to be addressed for hydrogen development, such as storage, production, distribution, and utilization sectors.
• The study covers topics such as policy, education, economic incentives, and technological innovation.

World Hydrogen Production

• The production and supply of hydrogen from diverse sources in recent 2022, 2023, and other years.
• The role of electrolysis, coal, natural gas, and crude oil in hydrogen production.

Test your knowledge on Hydrogen Energy Systems covered in the MECE3260U course at OntarioTech University. This quiz includes topics such as hydrogen production methods, fuel cells, and Canada's hydrogen strategy. Challenge yourself to understand the significance and future of hydrogen in energy systems.