WEST CENTRAL WEST CENTRAL

CERTS MEETINGCERTS MEETING

HYDROGENHYDROGEN

11/22/0511/22/05

Outline Outline

�� Hydrogen BasicsHydrogen Basics

�� Hydrogen SafetyHydrogen Safety

�� WCROC Phase 1WCROC Phase 1

Hydrogen BasicsHydrogen Basics

�� Discovered by Henry Cavendish in 1766Discovered by Henry Cavendish in 1766

�� Most abundant element in the universeMost abundant element in the universe

�� Makes up 90% of the universe by weightMakes up 90% of the universe by weight

�� Simplest of all elementsSimplest of all elements

�� 3 forms:3 forms:

�� Protium (most common)Protium (most common)

�� Deuterium (heavy hydrogen, 1/6700)Deuterium (heavy hydrogen, 1/6700)

�� Tritium (unstable, radioactive)Tritium (unstable, radioactive)

Basics (cont.)Basics (cont.)

�� Atoms mostly made up of empty spaceAtoms mostly made up of empty space

�� Electron orbit 100,000 times as large as nucleusElectron orbit 100,000 times as large as nucleus

�� Proton weighs 1800X more than electronProton weighs 1800X more than electron

�� Not found as a free elementNot found as a free element

PropertiesProperties

�� Can exist as a liquid, gas, or solidCan exist as a liquid, gas, or solid

�� Gas at NTPGas at NTP

�� Boiling point (Boiling point (-- 423 423 ooF, F, --253 253 ooC, 20 K)C, 20 K)

�� Melting Point (Melting Point (--434 434 ooF, F, --259 259 ooC, 14 K)C, 14 K)

�� Pure Hydrogen in colorless, odorless, tastelessPure Hydrogen in colorless, odorless, tasteless

�� Hydrogen stream is almost invisible in daylightHydrogen stream is almost invisible in daylight

Properties (cont.)Properties (cont.)

�� Density: 0.005209 lb/ftDensity: 0.005209 lb/ft3 3

�� Specific volume: 192 ftSpecific volume: 192 ft33/lb/lb

�� 1,436 gallons to make 1 lb of H1,436 gallons to make 1 lb of H22

�� As a liquid:As a liquid:

�� Specific volume: 0.226 ftSpecific volume: 0.226 ft33/lb/lb

�� 1.69 gallons to make 1 lb of H1.69 gallons to make 1 lb of H22

Energy ContentEnergy Content

Energy DensityEnergy Density

Energy EquivalentsEnergy Equivalents

SafetySafety

�� No more or less dangerous than any other fuelNo more or less dangerous than any other fuel

�� Different safety concernsDifferent safety concerns

�� Leaks Leaks

�� 1/14 as dense as air1/14 as dense as air

�� Molecules are very small and very lightMolecules are very small and very light

�� Disperses very quicklyDisperses very quickly

Flammability and FiresFlammability and Fires

�� 3 things needed for a 3 things needed for a

fire: oxygen (oxidizer), fire: oxygen (oxidizer),

fuel, and source of fuel, and source of

ignitionignition

�� Flammability limitsFlammability limits

�� 4.1% to 94 % with pure 4.1% to 94 % with pure

oxygenoxygen

�� Fires burn quickerFires burn quicker

�� Combustion must be Combustion must be

containedcontained

�� Explosion range (15%Explosion range (15%--

59%)59%)

Car ExampleCar Example

Fires (cont)Fires (cont)

�� Burns hotterBurns hotter

�� Minimum spark energy: Minimum spark energy:

0.017 mJ (gasoline 0.017 mJ (gasoline -- 0.24 0.24

mJ, methane mJ, methane –– 0.29 mJ)0.29 mJ)

�� Flames is pale blue and Flames is pale blue and

almost invisible in almost invisible in

daylightdaylight

Hydrogen FlamesHydrogen Flames

�� Fires burn verticalFires burn vertical

�� Can be extinguished like Can be extinguished like

any other fireany other fire

�� Dry powder retardantDry powder retardant

�� COCO22 extinguisherextinguisher

�� Fire blanketFire blanket

PurgingPurging

�� Nitrogen must be introduced into the system Nitrogen must be introduced into the system

before hydrogen can be let in to rid the system before hydrogen can be let in to rid the system

of oxidizersof oxidizers

EmbrittlementEmbrittlement

�� EmbrittlementEmbrittlement

�� Greater than 7% nickel, copper, alloys (brass, bronze, and Greater than 7% nickel, copper, alloys (brass, bronze, and

coppercopper--nickel), aluminum and its alloys can be used with nickel), aluminum and its alloys can be used with

austenitic stainless steelaustenitic stainless steel

Hydrogen in BuildingsHydrogen in Buildings

Bad ImageBad Image

�� HindenburgHindenburg

�� ChallengerChallenger

�� HH--BombBomb

�� AsphyxiationAsphyxiation

WCROC Wind to HWCROC Wind to H22: PHASE 1: PHASE 1

�� 1.65 MW VESTAS V82 1.65 MW VESTAS V82

Wind TurbineWind Turbine

�� ElectrolyserElectrolyser

�� Hydrogen storage Hydrogen storage

containercontainer

�� Hydrogen fueled ICEHydrogen fueled ICE

What is an ElectrolyserWhat is an Electrolyser

Wind to H2Wind to H2--Utsira, NorwayUtsira, Norway

Thank YouThank You

Cory MarquartCory Marquart

EngineerEngineer--Renewable Energy Research and Demonstration CenterRenewable Energy Research and Demonstration Center

University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach CenteUniversity of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Centerr

46352 State Hwy 32946352 State Hwy 329

Morris, MN 56267Morris, MN 56267

Phone: 320Phone: 320--589589--17111711

Fax: 320Fax: 320--589589--48704870

Email: Email: marqu108@morris.umn.edumarqu108@morris.umn.edu

Web: Web: http://wcroc.coafes.umn.eduhttp://wcroc.coafes.umn.edu