We are becoming increasingly aware of our responsibilities to reduce our output of greenhouse gases. Traditionally, gas turbines are run on natural gas.
However, this fuel releases gases including CO2, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and others when burned, depending on its exact composition.
Hydrogen, however, is proving to be an excellent substitute for at least a percentage of the natural gas that is used in turbines.
A renewable energy source
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. For that reason, it might sound easy to source but that is not necessarily the case.
Hydrogen gas is extremely light and most natural hydrogen gas escapes the Earth’s atmosphere into space. Therefore, in order to collect enough hydrogen to be useful as a fuel, we must produce it.
Hydrogen gas is already produced as a waste product at steel mills, refineries and petrochemical plants. This gas can be collected and recycled as a power source in gas turbines. Hydrogen gas can also be produced via electrolysis using electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Collecting hydrogen via electrolysis is a popular school chemistry experiment. In electrolysis, electricity is passed through water and separates the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The hydrogen can then be collected; do you remember testing for hydrogen using a lit splint and listening for a ‘squeaky pop’?
The principle for producing hydrogen as an energy source via electrolysis is the same as that school experiment but on a much larger scale.
Read more about hydrogen gas turbines on our main website: https://www.rochem-fyrewash.com/news/69-how-hydrogen-gas-turbines-reduce-carbon-emissions-and-increase-renewable-power-production/
