Hydrogen is the lightest and the oldest element in the Universe. It is the first element on the periodic table. Since the weight of hydrogen is less than air, it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its pure form, H2. At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and highly combustible diatomic gas.
Occurence of Hydrogen:
It is the most abundant element in the universe. The sun and other stars are composed largely of hydrogen.Astronomers estimate that 90% of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is a component of more compounds than any other element. Water is the most abundant compound of hydrogen found on earth.
Molecular hydrogen is not available on Earth in convenient natural reservoirs. Most hydrogen on Earth is bonded to oxygen in water and to carbon in live or dead and/or fossilized biomass. It can be created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. It accounts for 50% of all atoms in the universe and 65% in the human body.
Hydrogen as the fuel of the Future:
It can be produced from a variety of domestic resources such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. These qualities make it an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation applications. It can be used in cars, in houses, for portable power, and in many more applications. Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines. It is also used as a fuel for spacecraft propulsion.
A 1996 report of US Senate committee on energy and natural resources said, ” The most promising immediate use of hydrogen is for transportation…Use of hydrogen leaves no ozone-depleting chemicals, no acid rain ,no nuclear waste”.
Government of India recently announced the National Hydrogen Mission in the Union Budget 2021 for making a hydrogen roadmap for the country.
Analysts agree that cars with internal combustion (IC) engines will eventually drive into the sunset but they are unsure whether electric cars powered by the batteries or fuel-cell car that use hydrogen will rule the road.
Merits of using Hydrogen as a fuel:
- Fewer kilos of hydrogen pack more energy that means lower weight & more energy helps hydrogen fuel cell cars to travel longer distances without refuelling.
- Hydrogen has great potential to emerge as a future source of energy. The enthusiasm about hydrogen has a simple reason, whether it’s used in a fuel cell or burned to create heat, wherever hydrogen replaces fossil fuels, it slows global warming.
- It is environmentally friendly and is a non-toxic substance.
- It can be used as fuel in rockets.
- Hydrogen is three times as powerful as gasoline and other fossil fuels. This means that it can accomplish more with less.
- It is fuel efficient. Compared to diesel or gas, it is much more fuel efficient as it can produce more energy per pound of fuel.
- It is renewable. It can be produced again and again, unlike other non-renewable sources of energy.
Limitations to Hydrogen production:
- Hydrogen does not occur in deposits or reserves like fossil fuel. It needs to be actually produced using chemical reactions.
- Hydrogen, using renewables, is far more expensive to produce. And hydrogen-fueled vehicles are also more expensive than even battery-electric ones.
- It is highly flammable. It is difficult to store.
- The clean hydrogen industry is small and costs are high. There is a big potential for costs to fall, but the use of hydrogen needs to be scaled up and a network of supply infrastructure created.
Energy is integral to support India’s fast-growing economy and steps are being taken to develop an energy sector which will be growth-centric, industry-friendly and environment-conscious. The onerous task of ensuring energy justice and to end energy poverty in the country should be worked upon. This requires ample access to affordable energy to improve the lives of Indians coupled with the need to have a smaller carbon footprint.
