Introduction:
Our world is in the midst of an energy transition, with the need for Sustainable and Renewable sources of power becoming increasingly urgent. As traditional fossil fuels contribute to climate change and environmental degradation, scientists and engineers are exploring innovative solutions to meet the growing energy demands while minimizing their ecological footprint. Among the promising contenders is green hydrogen, a game-changing technology that holds tremendous potential for a clean energy future. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of hydrogen gas chromatography and how it contributes to the development of green hydrogen as a viable renewable energy source.
A Brief History of Hydrogen:
In the beginning, following the Big Bang, there was Hydrogen, some Helium and a little bit of Lithium. A grand total of three elements. The most abundant element in the universe was created during the hot Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago but depleted by stellar fusion creating Helium, nearly 70% of the Universe remains Hydrogen. According to NASA, our Sun is a big ball of gas and plasma made up of around 92% Hydrogen.
French author Jules Verne wrote in his 1874 novel The Mysterious Island: “Water will be the coal of the future.” More than two centuries later, that time may finally have come, as the need to store excess renewable power and convert it into a chemical energy source has kicked off a renaissance of H2 electrolysis.
When talking about renewable power, it would be incomplete not to mention MBR Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park with a planned production capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. This Green Hydrogen project is harnessing some of that PV electricity for the first mega-watt-scale solar-powered electrolysis facility in the Middle East.
Hydrogen has the potential to electrify the mobility sector further, but also offers the possibility for heavy-industry sectors to switch to the chemicals produced by electrolysis of water with renewable energy.
The Role of Hydrogen in Gas Chromatography:
Hydrogen gas chromatography plays a crucial role in the production and analysis of Green Hydrogen. Chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze mixtures, and gas chromatography specifically focuses on the separation of gaseous compounds. In the case of hydrogen gas chromatography, it helps in determining the purity and quality of the hydrogen produced through electrolysis. This is essential as even small impurities can affect the performance and safety of hydrogen fuel cells, where green hydrogen is primarily utilized.
Now-a-days Hydrogen is also rapidly replacing Helium as a Carrier Gas. When using capillary columns, carrier gas linear velocities (flow rates) could be much higher (approximately 4x Nitrogen and 2x Helium) and still maintain capillary column efficiency as illustrated in Fig1. As a result, shorter analysis times are possible resulting in higher productivity & lowering analysis cost per sample. GBA Analyzers are such solutions built to the highest standards using proven and robust hardware based on the latest Agilent Technologies platform.
Fig1 – Fast GC using H2 as Carrier Gas.
Challenges and Future Prospects:
The two most common drawbacks of Hydrogen were safety and reactivity (hydrogen is not an inert gas). However these drawbacks are resolved using Agilent Technologies latest solutions of Hydrogen Sensor & HydroInert Ion Sources.
And replacing the compressed gas cylinders with safe LNI Swissgas Hydrogen Gas Generators. For more than 30 years, LNI Swissgas have developed premium Hydrogen gas generators for laboratories and especially for gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) applications: Fuel Gas, Carrier gas, Combustion Gas, Make-up gas and others.
Conclusion:
Green hydrogen has emerged as a beacon of hope in the pursuit of sustainable and renewable energy solutions. Through the power of Hydrogen gas chromatography, we are able to ensure the purity and quality of green hydrogen, enabling its seamless integration into our energy systems. As we continue to invest in research, innovation, and infrastructure, green hydrogen has the potential to revolutionize our energy landscape, reduce carbon emissions, and pave the way towards a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Click here to learn more about Gas Analyzers and our other latest workflow solutions. To know more about our products and solutions and how we can assist you, send an email at contactus@gulfbioanalytical.com.
Written By:
Ajay Sharma