Hydrogen is a gas that is notified with a chemical symbol “H” and in molecular it is denoted by H2 and occurs mainly chemically bound such as H2O.

It is one of the most abundant elements in the universe. More than 90% of all the compounds contain hydrogen atoms. It is estimated that hydrogen adds up to three quarters of the total mass of the universe.

It turns to liquid to at – 253 C

Through combustion of hydrogen. As hydrogen has a high calorific value, it delivers a lot of heat. Hydrogen fuel cells are converted electrochemically to electrical energy.

It has the highest energy density as compared to most of the conventional alternatives in terms of mass: about 3 times as high as gasoline or diesel. This is also one of the reasons why hydrogen is used for space travel.

Production of Hydrogen dates back to more than 200 years. What we have learned is that it can be stored, distributed and converted safely. Large scale hydrogen use has been seen in the street lighting system of london.

There are several ways of producing hydrogen. As of now more than 90% of hydrogen produced worldwide using hydrocarbons and emitting CO2. There is also more eco friendly tech called electrolysis of water where desalinated water is used for hydrogen production.

Hydrogen can be stored in tanks in a form of compressed gas or as liquid. It is also stored in a natural gas grids applicable for different applications depending if the grid meets the technological requirements.

The volumetric energy density can be increased by compression or liquefaction of hydrogen gas. Also, greater amounts of hydrogen can be utilized properly if seen in terms of storage and transportation.

It can be transported as compressed gas or a cryogenic liquid. Today, two modes are used for transporting hydrogen i.e. via tanker, in a tube trailer for road transportation and via gas pipeline for short distances.

No, it is a non-toxic clear gas. Non poisonous in nature, with no taste or odor. Using them as a fuel in fuel cells produces no fumes, it does not pollute the air with CO2 or emit any nitrogen oxides.

It’s true that hydrogen is a flammable material and must be handled with care at all times. In order to ignite it needs an oxidizing agent like air, pure oxygen or chlorine. In worst cases it will ignite and burn up very quickly and will not create any heat radiation like accidents caused due to petrol or kerosene.

The infrastructure that is being built is permanently leak proof. The number of detachable connections are minimized as much as possible. As a safety measure in the building a steady air exchange is ensured and the facilities are equipped with safety valves and pressure reliefs. Further more explosive prevention zones are predefined and are set according to safety codes.

This myth is false, Hydrogen can be easily stored and transported safely.

As compared to natural gas and gasoline, hydrogen has significant buoyancy in atmospheric conditions because of its low density and in case of any leakage hydrogen gas ascends immediately and disperses. Due to this, it reduces the risk of ignition in the open air.

It’s a process where water is split into its core components i.e. hydrogen and oxygen with the help of electric current.

There are different electrolysis systems exist as of now i.e. 

• Alkaline electrolysis   (done with liquid alkaline electrolytes)
• Acidic electrolysis   (Solid polymer electrolyte (PEM)
• High temperature electrolysis  (Solid polymer electrolyte)

As of now PEM and alkaline electrolysis is used on an industrial scale whereas solid oxide is at an early development stage.

It is an abbreviation of proton exchange membrane. This membrane is an essential part of the electrolytic cell of a PEM electrolyzer. The membrane separates the anode where oxygen is accumulated and the cathode where hydrogen gas is collected.

There are different electrolysis systems exist as of now i.e. 

• PEM electrolysis — H+
• Solid oxide electrolysis – O2-
• Alkaline electrolysis – OH-

About 10 liters of desalinated water is needed to generate 1 kg of hydrogen

It entirely depends on the efficiency of the electrolyser and operational modes used to produce hydrogen. But on average at least 50 kWH is needed for 1kg of hydrogen.

The hydrogen market is mainly divided into three main sectors. Mobility, energy and Industry. Currently, the industrial sector is the largest consumer by approximately 90%. In the coming future, a redistribution is expected towards the energy and mobility sector.

The current industrial application of hydrogen 

• Refining of fuels
• Fertilizer production and methanol
• Hydrogenation of fats
• Steel production
• Metal processing
• Production of flat glass

It takes a little less than 1kg of hydrogen per 100 km for a medium size car.

For a passenger car or a light duty vehicle it takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes for refueling the fuel cells

It enables long term storage of large quantities of surplus renewable energy. Hydrogen has shown new ways of using green electricity i.e by using hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas in the existing pipelines as fuel for vehicles and power plants. It opens up the opportunity to connect energy generation with the industrial and mobility sector, this is called “sector coupling”.

No, green hydrogen is here for the long haul and it is becoming a sustainable and permanent element of the industrial sector.

In the coming years hydrogen will be mass produced using renewable energy sources. Also other sources like biogas and several fuels like solid biomass will help produce green hydrogen.

First we have green hydrogen which is derived from 100% renewable energy. This means it is derived from electrolysis with zero emissions. Other types are derived from fossil fuels that release CO2 and are referred to as “brown” hydrogen. If the CO2 is captured and stored and reused it is usually called “blue” hydrogen.