All Things Hydrogen
We’ve created this handy hydrogen fact-sheet so you can gather key insights and information about all things hydrogen. Consider this a hydrogen glossary that will help you better understand the fuel of the future based on the good, the bad, and the technical.
The Benefits of Hydrogen
Lower supply chain emissions
Reduce CO2e Emissions
Expect emissions improvements along the entire supply chain when using green hydrogen. Even with grey hydrogen there will still be even fewer emissions compared to diesel taking into account generator efficiency.
Lower on site emissions
Reduce Local Emissions
On site emissions will drop when using a fuel-cell hydrogen generator as it only emits water vapour as a by product. Ideal for locations that are in close proximity to workers and the public.
Eliminate Noise Complaints
No Noise
Hydrogen fuel-cell generators do not have internal combustion engines resulting in no moving parts. This eliminates the common knocking and running sounds that are associated with idling diesel generators.
Local Emissions Explained
Pollutants | CO | NOx | PM |
|---|---|---|---|
Description | Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that results from emissions produced by fossil fuel-powered engines. | Nitrogen oxides is the collective term for toxic gas molecules which form when fossil fuel is burned at a high temperature. | Particulate matter is made up of solid particles and liquid droplets from the air. |
Why it is bad | Carbon Monoxide causes harm when breathed in because it displaces the oxygen in the blood. | If high levels of nitrogen oxides are breathed in it can cause swelling of the tissue in the throat as well as rapid burning. | PM 2.5 is particularly dangerous because it bypasses our body’s defences which results in deeper entry into our bodies. |
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that results from emissions produced by fossil fuel-powered engines.
Carbon Monoxide causes harm when breathed in because it displaces the oxygen in the blood.
Nitrogen oxides is the collective term for toxic gas molecules which form when fossil fuel is burned at a high temperature.
If high levels of nitrogen oxides are breathed in it can cause swelling of the tissue in the throat as well as rapid burning.
Particulate matter is made up of solid particles and liquid droplets from the air.
PM 2.5 is particularly dangerous because it bypasses our body’s defences which results in deeper entry into our bodies.
The Colours of Hydrogen
Grey Hydrogen
Grey hydrogen production is now the most popular and least expensive method.
Although it doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions on its own, the process of making it does. Steam reforming, which separates hydrogen from natural gas, is how grey hydrogen is produced. The use of natural gas is what generates the high level of emissions which is ultimately not captured and stored during the production process.
Blue Hydrogen
Blue hydrogen production also uses the steam reforming process, but it varies from grey hydrogen in that the emitted carbon emissions are caught and stored, resulting in some reduction but not completely eliminating the emissions.
Blue hydrogen is sometimes referred to as “low-carbon hydrogen,” despite the fact that the generation process just stores greenhouse gases rather than preventing their development.
Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen is a true source of clean energy because it is produced from renewable resources, which results in zero emissions throughout its entire life cycle.
It is produced by electrolyzing water with clean electricity produced from extra sustainable wind and solar energy. As a result, there are no carbon emissions produced during the process which provides green hydrogen.
Key Hydrogen Facts
What Makes Hydrogen a Challenge
Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE)
The Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) is the lowest energy (mJ) required to ignite the flammable material in air or oxygen. The lowest value of the Minimum Ignition Energy is found at a certain optimum mixture.
Flammable Range
The Flammable Range (also called Explosive Range) is the concentration range of a gas or vapor that will burn (or explode) if an ignition source is introduced.
The limits are commonly called the “Lower Explosive or Flammable Limit” (LEL/LFL) and the “Upper Explosive or Flammable Limit” (UEL/UFL).
De-risking Hydrogen
To mitigate the risk of hydrogen leakage and ignition there are a number of steps that can be taken. Below is a broad overview of the processes that we, at Hydrologiq, use when deploying hydrogen generators.
Note: Different hydrogen use cases require a different approach.
However, the requirement to remove any risk of ignition will remain the same.
Planning
- Site design to minimise risks posed to the hydrogen generator setup from other site activities and vice versa.
- Robust risk assessment to identify hazards and ensure necessary protective measures.
Deployment
- Team of engineers specifically trained in hydrogen safety to guarantee safe setup.
- All equipment is regularly tested to ensure safety.
Monitoring
- Real-time data feeding into our monitoring and alert platform to pre-empt any issues.
- Data dashboard available to customers for instant operational visibility.
