Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H2), is the most abundant element in the universe, with the highest chemical energy content by mass of all gaseous and liquid fuels.

Hydrogen is an energy vector that will bring greater flexibility to the energy transition. And unlike fossil fuels, it doesn’t emit greenhouse gases when it is consumed, which is why it is commonly referred as the “ultimate clean energy!”

Did you know?

Hydrogen was the first element to be created after the Big Bang and represents an estimated 75% of all mass in the universe

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Liquefied hydrogen

When cryogenically cooled to -253°C, hydrogen changes from a gaseous state to a liquid state, called LH2, and shrinks to 1/800th of its original volume without being pressurized.

As a result, it is much more efficient to store and transport, as well as to distribute. More infos…

Did you know?

Highly insulated cryogenic tanker trucks can carry up to 4000 kg of liquefied hydrogen, allowing them to deliver to multiple Hydrogen Refueling Sites (HRS) in a single day, just as they do with LNG!

 

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Hydrogen storage and transportation

Hydrogen is the lightest gas in the universe, weighing only 90 mg per liter at atmospheric pressure (0.090 kg/m3), and as such, occupies a very large volume at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the volume of the gas must be reduced in order for it to be stored and transported efficiently. The most common ways to achieve this are to increase its pressure (42 kg/m3 at 70 Mpa) or to liquefy it (71 kg/m3 at -253°C.)

For this reason, hydrogen compressors and liquid hydrogen pumps will be key in the development of the hydrogen economy of tomorrow!

You may be wondering how to choose between compressed hydrogen and liquid hydrogen for your supply when both sources are available. The key factors to consider in order to assess the supply chain efficiency and viability of each of the solutions are:

• The daily consumption at the site
• The distance between the production site and the delivery site
• The frequency with which hydrogen must be delivered
• The expected number of daily refuelings in the medium term

A number of recent studies have shown that if (1) the daily consumption is more than 400-1000 kg, (2) several weekly deliveries are required, or (3) the distance between the production site and the delivery site is more than 350 km, then liquid hydrogen is the better option.

Did you know?

Several studies, such as the one led by researchers at the National Development and Reform Commission in China, have concluded that liquid H2 transportation costs are as low as one eighth of pressurized gas transportation costs.

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Hydrogen Momentum

Hydrogen has been used for more than a century as feedstock and in industrial processes, but it has also experienced several false dawns in recent years. This time, however, is different.

Hydrogen is enjoying unprecedented global support from political bodies and the general public alike, and many countries have set ambitious targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the different projects that have recently been announced span the entirety of the future hydrogen value chain. The market and the technological side now both stand at the ready!

The time has come for this “ultimate clean energy,” which holds great promise for storing zero-carbon energy and transporting it over long distances, coupling gas and electric systems, and decarbonizing what have until now been hard-to-abate sectors!

Did you know?

A battery, in 2019, could store 0.25 kWh per kg, while hydrogen has an energy density of 33.33kWh per kg! Also, it takes less than 3 minutes to refuel a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. It combines the experience of combustion-powered vehicles filling with the advantages of electricity!