Few Words On Hydrogen

Hydrogen is getting a lot attention on the last decades and it is promoted as the cleanest energy source. I would like to share my opinions on the topic. All energy sources require mining and refining procedures before being used. Among these energy sources coal was used for decades with minimal processing after excavation. Later came the crude oil. It required refining to be utilized. Then came the natural gas which required comparably less energy intense refining process. Compared to all these fuels, hydrogen cannot be found on earth in pure format. At the moment hydrogen is obtained from methane gas. Therefore, hydrogen generation requires one more step after natural gas production.

Energy by all means pollute the environment. For my point of view, the energy source which can be obtained with fewer steps and has the highest energy density is the best energy source. This valuation is valid for pure substances. Unfortunately, purification process is very expensive especially for some material. Compared to coal and gasoline, natural gas is the purest with minimal hazardous impurities. Therefore, its use is promoted. However, many countries do not have natural gas reserves. Trying to substitute it with hydrogen does not make much sense while it also relies on methane for production. More importantly, liquid hydrogen is less energy dense than liquid natural gas in terms of volume and is very difficult to store in liquid form. I recommend countries to invest on methane production facilities. Facilities that generate methane from coal instead of generating hydrogen from methane which is exported.

Water vapor is a more dangerous greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Then what is the point of using hydrogen instead of natural gas and gasoline. Energy source which requires less environmental pollution during mining and refining and has the highest energy density is the GREENEST fuel. Methane is an ideal energy source. The excess energy generated by the renewable energy sources can be used to produce methane from coal which is widely available world-wide. The cars, planes and rockets can operate with methane. Later when nuclear energy becomes the dominant energy source, it can be used to produce methane that can be used safely by the vehicles.

The World Is Betting On The Wrong Horse.