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Hydrogen Hydrogen EconomyEconomy

Ryan MorrisonRyan Morrison

ChE 384ChE 384

11/20/200611/20/2006

Methanol Methanol EconomyEconomyvs.vs.

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OutlineOutline

IntroductionIntroduction HydrogenHydrogen

Production, Storage, DistributionProduction, Storage, Distribution MethanolMethanol

Production, Storage, DistributionProduction, Storage, Distribution Fuel CellsFuel Cells ConclusionsConclusions

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IntroductionIntroduction

Persistent fossil fuel burningPersistent fossil fuel burning Adverse effects on the climate (global Adverse effects on the climate (global

warming)warming)

World needs to dig itself outWorld needs to dig itself out Will cost an arm & a legWill cost an arm & a leg

Hydrogen/Methanol are proposed Hydrogen/Methanol are proposed solutionssolutions

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HydrogenHydrogen

Infinitely abundantInfinitely abundant Ideally clean burning fuelIdeally clean burning fuel

No CONo CO22 with H with H22O as a by-productO as a by-product

Boiling PointBoiling Point -252.9 -252.9 ooCC

Liquid Density @ -Liquid Density @ -253 253 ooCC

70.8 kg/m70.8 kg/m33

Flammability LimitsFlammability Limits 4 – 74 %4 – 74 %

Ignition EnergyIgnition Energy 0.005 milli 0.005 milli caloriecalorie

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Hydrogen ProductionHydrogen Production

Worldwide production is 50 million Worldwide production is 50 million tonnes per yeartonnes per year

Steam reforming of fossil fuelsSteam reforming of fossil fuels Produces COProduces CO22, so potential for , so potential for

capture/sequestrationcapture/sequestration Electrolysis of waterElectrolysis of water

Highly energy intensive, but highly Highly energy intensive, but highly efficientefficient

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Hydrogen StorageHydrogen Storage

Compressed HCompressed H22 in carbon fiber tanks in carbon fiber tanks 5,000 – 10,000 psi5,000 – 10,000 psi

Liquid HLiquid H22

-253 -253 ooC cooling required, or else boil-offC cooling required, or else boil-off AbsorptionAbsorption

Solid state uptake/releaseSolid state uptake/release

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Hydrogen StorageHydrogen Storage

Compressed HCompressed H22 in carbon fiber tanks in carbon fiber tanks 5,000 – 10,000 psi5,000 – 10,000 psi

Liquid HLiquid H22

-253 -253 ooC cooling required, or else boil-offC cooling required, or else boil-off AbsorptionAbsorption

Solid state uptake/releaseSolid state uptake/release

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Hydrogen DistributionHydrogen Distribution

Centralized & decentralized locationsCentralized & decentralized locations

Both have their differences in COBoth have their differences in CO22 capture, transportation methods, and capture, transportation methods, and safetysafety

Common ground is magnitude of Common ground is magnitude of capital investmentcapital investment

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MethanolMethanol

Liquid fuelLiquid fuel Precursor to ethylene/propylenePrecursor to ethylene/propylene

Boiling PointBoiling Point 64.6 64.6 ooCC

Liquid DensityLiquid Density 791 791 kg/mkg/m33

Latent Heat of Latent Heat of VaporizationVaporization

9.2 9.2 kcal/molkcal/mol

Flammability LimitsFlammability Limits 7 – 36 %7 – 36 %

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Methanol ProductionMethanol Production

Worldwide production is 32 million Worldwide production is 32 million tonnes per yeartonnes per year

Steam reforming of fossil fuelsSteam reforming of fossil fuels Syngas reacts with HSyngas reacts with H22

Direct conversion from CODirect conversion from CO22

From captured flue gas or atmosphereFrom captured flue gas or atmosphere

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Methanol Storage & Methanol Storage & DistributionDistribution

Current filling stations and storage Current filling stations and storage vessels can be re-used or retrofitvessels can be re-used or retrofit

Only minor changes to materials of Only minor changes to materials of construction or coatingsconstruction or coatings

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Fuel CellsFuel Cells

Uses chemical energy to produce Uses chemical energy to produce electricity directlyelectricity directly

Low operating temperature, volume, Low operating temperature, volume, weightweight

High efficiencyHigh efficiency

Methanol fuel cells are more Methanol fuel cells are more reasonable now until Hreasonable now until H22 issues are issues are settledsettled

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ConclusionsConclusions

Hydrogen has too many issuesHydrogen has too many issues Methanol would be a good substitute Methanol would be a good substitute

fuel for gasolinefuel for gasoline Neither are 100% proven, so hybrid Neither are 100% proven, so hybrid

devices will control marketsdevices will control markets

Fate of methanol or hydrogen is Fate of methanol or hydrogen is coupled with fate of fuel cellscoupled with fate of fuel cells

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QuestionsQuestions