Techdiplomacy

When hydrogen is in a pure state, it is fairly safe.  However, add air and hydrogen is combustible.  While hydrogen is currently being used in various applications, mainly as a coolant for heat generated by electric power generators. Power plant operators use great care when using hydrogen in this application.  That brings me to the notion that hydrogen is a power source that could supply us with a clean alternative to fossil fuels, or that it should currently be considered as energy the same as wind or solar power.  This will probably be the case 30 years from now, but not currently.  Let me explain.         

Hydrogen Storage Presents Safety Issues

Since hydrogen is combustible when mixed with air, it is a dangerous substance.  The explosive range of hydrogen is broad, concentrations range from 4 percent to 75 percent.  All mixtures in that range are explosive.  Hydrogen can be ignited with very little energy, and has a wide range of flammability.  Hydrogen fire is pale blue and is almost invisible.  To detect hydrogen fires, brooms are often used to sweep an area of a suspected fire.  This is not what you want to do in your garage in the mornings when trying to get your hydrogen fueled vechile started.  Hydrogen is almost impossible to keep stationary, because of it’s light weight and it’s molecules are small. 

It is difficult to seal hydrogen, usually this means leaks.  Fortunately hydrogen is light weight so it dissipates rapidly.  When hydrogen does leak, it rises, so it would have to accumulate someplace near the leak, if at all, this would be a worry for anyone utilizing hydrogen.  I don’t know, I think this would concern anyone with a supply of hydrogen cylinders (fuel cells) in their garage.  Storing is the chief concern, because of the explosive energy in hydrogen if mixed with air.  A standard portable cylinder filled with hydrogen at 2,400 psig is equivalent to 35 pounds of TNT with regard to explosive potential.  A 12-pack of cylinders would equal 420 pounds of TNT and a typical tube trailer would equal 5,585 pounds of TNT.

Even though hydrogen is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, problems remain that could take decades to resolve.  This discussion is directed at the danger inherent when using hydrogen for any application.  Hydrogen will in future decades provide power for society, however there will be hopefully a full scale renewable energy scheme in place by that time.  The hydrogen economy is not going to be seen in the near future. 

How do you feel about all this?  Make a comment, we’ll print it, even if we don’t agree. In the meantime, see you around the galaxy…

The following is from a study by E. Gerald Meyer, Arts and Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. He referred to it as the ‘good, bad and the ugly’ of hydrogen technology. Much has been written about the “hydrogen economy” with the theme that by substituting hydrogen for gasoline the nation can reduce its dependence on foreign oil, and have a pollution free transportation fuel. That is “the good”. However, the hydrogen must be transported, distributed and stored with safety. Also, it must be utilized in a vehicle either by a combustion system or by a fuel cell system. The former can perhaps be devised without too much difficulty but the latter poses many problems. Fuel cells currently lack the needed reliability, the stability and the energy output. In addition the cost of the fuel cell system far exceeds that of the present gasoline system. That is “the bad”. Hydrogen production is “the ugly”. The current level of 9 tons/yr must be increased eighteenfold to meet current demand, which increases by 4% annually. Hydrogen, not a renewable energy source, is a secondary energy type as is electricity. It must be produced by a primary energy type. In addition, hydrogen requires a hydrogen-containing substrate of which there are two types: the hydrocarbons and “hydrooxygen” (water). The former produce CO2 in addition to hydrogen as does direct use of fossil fuels. Water requires either thermal dissociation or electolysis with the primary energy of choice for either being nuclear energy. Electrolyis might be accomplished with solar energy but the quantities needed mitigate against this. Thus with so many problems to solve, the hydrogen economy is at least thirty years in the future.

I realize that there are a large number of people who disagree with what I have put forth here, but remember, hydrogen is not a renewable energy source as I stated earlier. This in and of itself should lead us to proceed with caution with regard to hydrogen. We are reeling from the damage fossil fuels have done to our environment. We have almost a moral duty to pursue renewables like wind and solar power. Please read this piece and give it serious thought, I’m sure you will come to a similar conclusion. That’s my take on the subject, leave a comment and we’ll print it even if you don’t agree. See you around the galaxy..: