Hydrogen appears to be favoured alternative due to its high specific energy per unit weight, its universal availability as a component of water, good combustion characteristics and the fact that it is environment friendly.
Its combution product is mainly water vapour and little nitric oxide. Thus, there is no harmful exhaust gas. But, from safety point of view there is one major problem with hydrogen, that is, its low density and high diffusion capacity.
Hydrogen is such a clean and efficient energy that has potential to replace liquid and gaseous fossil fuels. Globally as well as in India, hydrogen is mainly produced by reformation of hydro carbons for producing fertilizers, used in refineries and other applications.
It is also available as a by- product from several chemical process, plants or industries. The current focus of research is on hydrogen production through various non-hydro carbon routes.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
For this achievement, research on several methods including electrolysis of water through polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyses, decomposition of water through thermo chemicals, photo-electro-chemical and photo- catalytic methods using solar energy and microbial and gasification routes are being pursued in the country and are under various stages of development. Banaras Hindu University, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology/ Hyderabad etc. is engaged in hydrogen production related research and development activities in the country.
Due to low density of hydrogen, its storage in a compact and efficient manner is a major technological challenge. The storage of adequate quantity of hydrogen is essential for applications in automobiles and other on-site applications for power generation. However, solid-state storage is considered to be a safe and efficient method for hydrogen.
Banaras Hindu University has worked on development of various metal hydrides and has demonstrated 2.4% gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity. Work on the development of suitable liquid organic hydrides for hydrogen has been initiated in the country particularly at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur. Though, there is vast resource of hydrogen on the earth surface in the form of water but there is lack of technological development and whenever this problem is solved, hydrogen would become a great source of energy for human being.
Apart from its existing, use of the hydrogen is also considered to be clean fuel for vehicular transport and power generation. Hydrogen can be used in the internal combustion engines, gas turbines and fuel cells for motive power production and electricity generation.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
A National Hydrogen Energy Road Map for the country has been prepared by a steering committee under the guidance of the National Hydrogen Energy Board. The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map covers all aspects of hydrogen energy development in India including its production, storage, transport, delivery, applications etc.
The National Hydrogen Energy Road map also forms the basis for the implementation of the National Hydrogen Energy Programme.
National Hydrogen Energy road map has also visualized that by 2020, one million hydrogen fuelled vehicles mostly two or three wheelers and 1000 mw hydrogen based power generation capacity would be established in the country. A total investment requirement of Rs. 25,000 crores has been projected in the Road Map for creating the required hydrogen supply infrastructure.
Recognizing the importance of hydrogen as an energy carrier for the future, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been implementing a broad based Research, Development and Demonstration Programme on hydrogen energy technology.