Netherlands
Advanced Polymeric/inorganic Nanohybrids: An Integrated Platform for Gas Sensing Applications
Jan 2022
Publication
Rapid industrial development vehicles domestic activities and mishandling of garbage are the main sources of pollutants which are destroying the atmosphere. There is a need to continuously monitor these pollutants for the safety of the environment and human beings. Conventional instruments for monitoring of toxic gases are expensive bigger in size and time-consuming. Hybrid materials containing organic and inorganic components are considered potential candidates for diverse applications including gas sensing. Gas sensors convert the information regarding the analyte into signals. Various polymeric/inorganic nanohybrids have been used for the sensing of toxic gases. Composites of different polymeric materials like polyaniline (PANI) poly (4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) poly (34-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) etc. with various metal/metal oxide nanoparticles have been reported as sensing materials for gas sensors because of their unique redox features conductivity and facile operation at room temperature. Polymeric nanohybrids showed better performance because of the larger surface area of nanohybrids and the synergistic effect between polymeric and inorganic materials. This review article focuses on the recent developments of emerging polymeric/inorganic nanohybrids for sensing various toxic gases including ammonia hydrogen nitrogen dioxide carbon oxides and liquefied petroleum gas. Advantages disadvantages operating conditions and prospects of hybrid composites have also been discussed.
European Hydrogen Backbone
Jul 2020
Publication
This paper authored by eleven gas infrastructure companies and supported by Guidehouse describes how a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure can be created in
a significant part of the EU between 2030 and 2040 requiring work to start during the 2020s. The hydrogen infrastructure as proposed in this paper fits well with the ambitions of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Energy System Integration Strategy plus it aligns well with the goals of the recently announced Clean Hydrogen Alliance to scale up hydrogen enabled by hydrogen transport. Hydrogen clearly gains momentum and this paper aims to provide a contribution towards accelerating a large scale-up of hydrogen by enabling its transport from supply to demand across Europe.
This paper analyses the likely routes across Europe by 2030 2035 and 2040. The included maps show the suggested topology of hydrogen pipelines in ten European countries: Germany France Italy Spain the Netherlands Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Sweden and Switzerland.
You can download the whole report by clicking this link
a significant part of the EU between 2030 and 2040 requiring work to start during the 2020s. The hydrogen infrastructure as proposed in this paper fits well with the ambitions of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Energy System Integration Strategy plus it aligns well with the goals of the recently announced Clean Hydrogen Alliance to scale up hydrogen enabled by hydrogen transport. Hydrogen clearly gains momentum and this paper aims to provide a contribution towards accelerating a large scale-up of hydrogen by enabling its transport from supply to demand across Europe.
This paper analyses the likely routes across Europe by 2030 2035 and 2040. The included maps show the suggested topology of hydrogen pipelines in ten European countries: Germany France Italy Spain the Netherlands Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Sweden and Switzerland.
You can download the whole report by clicking this link
Green Hydrogen in Europe – A Regional Assessment: Substituting Existing Production with Electrolysis Powered by Renewables
Nov 2020
Publication
The increasing ambition of climate targets creates a major role for hydrogen especially in achieving carbon-neutrality in sectors presently difficult to decarbonise. This work examines to what extent the currently carbon-intensive hydrogen production in Europe could be replaced by water electrolysis using electricity from renewable energy resources (RES) such as solar photovoltaic onshore/offshore wind and hydropower (green hydrogen). The study assesses the technical potential of RES at regional and national levels considering environmental constraints land use limitations and various techno-economic parameters. It estimates localised clean hydrogen production and examines the capacity to replace carbon-intensive hydrogen hubs with ones that use RES-based water electrolysis. Findings reveal that -at national level- the available RES electricity potential exceeds the total electricity demand and the part for hydrogen production from electrolysis in all analysed countries. At regional level from the 109 regions associated with hydrogen production (EU27 and UK) 88 regions (81%) show an excess of potential RES generation after covering the annual electricity demand across all sectors and hydrogen production. Notably 84 regions have over 50% excess RES electricity potential after covering the total electricity demand and that for water electrolysis. The study provides evidence on the option to decarbonize hydrogen production at regional level. It shows that such transformation is possible and compatible with the ongoing transition towards carbon–neutral power systems in the EU. Overall this work aims to serve as a tool for designing hydrogen strategies in harmony with renewable energy policies.
Parametric Study of Pt/C-Catalysed Hydrothermal Decarboxylation of Butyric Acid as a Potential Route for Biopropane Production
Jun 2021
Publication
Sustainable fuel-range hydrocarbons can be produced via the catalytic decarboxylation of biomass-derived carboxylic acids without the need for hydrogen addition. In this present study 5 wt% platinum on carbon (Pt/C) has been found to be an effective catalyst for hydrothermally decarboxylating butyric acid in order to produce mainly propane and carbon dioxide. However optimisation of the reaction conditions is required to minimise secondary reactions and increase hydrocarbon selectivity towards propane. To do this reactions using the catalyst with varying parameters such as reaction temperatures residence times feedstock loading and bulk catalyst loading were carried out in a batch reactor. The highest yield of propane obtained was 47 wt% (close to the theoretical decarboxylation yield of 50 wt% on butyric acid basis) corresponding to a 96% hydrocarbon selectivity towards propane. The results showed that the optimum parameters to produce the highest yield of propane from the range investigated were 0.5 g butyric acid (0.57 M aqueous solution) 1.0 g Pt/C (50 mg Pt content) at 300 °C for 1 h. The reusability of the catalyst was also investigated which showed little or no loss of catalytic activity after four cycles. This work has shown that Pt/C is a suitable and potentially hydrothermally stable heterogeneous catalyst for making biopropane a major component of bioLPG from aqueous butyric acid solutions which can be sourced from bio-derived feedstocks via acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation.
The Effect of Hydrogen Content and Yield Strength on the Distribution of Hydrogen in Steel a Diffusion Coupled Micromechanical FEM Study
Mar 2021
Publication
In this study we investigate the effect of the heterogeneous micromechanical stress fields resulting from the grain-scale anisotropy on the redistribution of hydrogen using a diffusion coupled crystal plasticity model. A representative volume element with periodic boundary conditions was used to model a synthetic microstructure. The effect of tensile loading initial hydrogen content and yield strength on the redistribution of lattice (CL) and dislocation trapped (Cx) hydrogen was studied. It was found that the heterogeneous micromechanical stress fields resulted in the accumulation of both populations primarily at the grain boundaries. This shows that in addition to the well-known grain boundary trapping the interplay of the heterogeneous micromechanical hydrostatic stresses and plastic strains contribute to the accumulation of hydrogen at the grain boundaries. Higher yield strength reduced the amount of Cx due to the resulting lower plastic deformation levels. On the other side the resulting higher hydrostatic stresses increased the depletion of CL from the compressive regions and its diffusion toward the tensile ones. These regions with increased CL are expected to be potential damage initiation zones. This aligns with the observations that high-strength steels are more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement than those with lower-strength.
Acorn: Developing Full-chain Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage in a Resource- and Infrastructure-rich Hydrocarbon Province
Jun 2019
Publication
Juan Alcalde,
Niklas Heinemann,
Leslie Mabon,
Richard H. Worden,
Heleen de Coninck,
Hazel Robertson,
Marko Maver,
Saeed Ghanbari,
Floris Swennenhuis,
Indira Mann,
Tiana Walker,
Sam Gomersal,
Clare E. Bond,
Michael J. Allen,
Stuart Haszeldine,
Alan James,
Eric J. Mackay,
Peter A. Brownsort,
Daniel R. Faulkner and
Steve Murphy
Research to date has identified cost and lack of support from stakeholders as two key barriers to the development of a carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) industry that is capable of effectively mitigating climate change. This paper responds to these challenges through systematic evaluation of the research and development process for the Acorn CCS project a project designed to develop a scalable full-chain CCS project on the north-east coast of the UK. Through assessment of Acorn's publicly-available outputs we identify strategies which may help to enhance the viability of early-stage CCS projects. Initial capital costs can be minimised by infrastructure re-use particularly pipelines and by re-use of data describing the subsurface acquired during oil and gas exploration activity. Also development of the project in separate stages of activity (e.g. different phases of infrastructure re-use and investment into new infrastructure) enables cost reduction for future build-out phases. Additionally engagement of regional-level policy makers may help to build stakeholder support by situating CCS within regional decarbonisation narratives. We argue that these insights may be translated to general objectives for any CCS project sharing similar characteristics such as legacy infrastructure industrial clusters and an involved stakeholder-base that is engaged with the fossil fuel industry.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle as a Power Plant and SOFC as a Natural Gas Reformer: An Exergy Analysis of Different System Designs
Apr 2016
Publication
Delft University of Technology under its ‘‘Green Village” programme has an initiative to build a power plant (car parking lot) based on the fuel cells used in vehicles for motive power. It is a trigeneration system capable of producing electricity heat and hydrogen. It comprises three main zones: a hydrogen production zone a parking zone and a pump station zone. This study focuses mainly on the hydrogen production zone which assesses four different system designs in two different operation modes of the facility: Car as Power Plant (CaPP) mode corresponding to the open period of the facility which uses fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) as energy and water producers while parked; and Pump mode corresponding to the closed period which compresses the hydrogen and pumps to the vehicle’s fuel tank. These system designs differ by the reforming technology: the existing catalytic reformer (CR) and a solid oxide fuel cell operating as reformer (SOFCR); and the option of integrating a carbon capture and storage (CCS). Results reveal that the SOFCR unit significantly reduces the exergy destruction resulting in an improvement of efficiency over 20% in SOFCR-based system designs compared to CR-based system designs in both operation modes. It also mitigates the reduction in system efficiency by integration of a CCS unit achieving a value of 2% whereas in CR-based systems is 7–8%. The SOFCR-based system running in Pump mode achieves a trigeneration efficiency of 60%.
Recent Advances in Pd-Based Membranes for Membrane Reactors
Jan 2017
Publication
Palladium-based membranes for hydrogen separation have been studied by several research groups during the last 40 years. Much effort has been dedicated to improving the hydrogen flux of these membranes employing different alloys supports deposition/production techniques etc. High flux and cheap membranes yet stable at different operating conditions are required for their exploitation at industrial scale. The integration of membranes in multifunctional reactors (membrane reactors) poses additional demands on the membranes as interactions at different levels between the catalyst and the membrane surface can occur. Particularly when employing the membranes in fluidized bed reactors the selective layer should be resistant to or protected against erosion. In this review we will also describe a novel kind of membranes the pore-filled type membranes prepared by Pacheco Tanaka and coworkers that represent a possible solution to integrate thin selective membranes into membrane reactors while protecting the selective layer. This work is focused on recent advances on metallic supports materials used as an intermetallic diffusion layer when metallic supports are used and the most recent advances on Pd-based composite membranes. Particular attention is paid to improvements on sulfur resistance of Pd based membranes resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and stability at high temperature.
The Impact of Climate Targets on Future Steel Production – An Analysis Based on a Global Energy System Model
Apr 2020
Publication
This paper addresses how a global climate target may influence iron and steel production technology deployment and scrap use. A global energy system model ETSAP-TIAM was used and a Scrap Availability Assessment Model (SAAM) was developed to analyse the relation between steel demand recycling and the availability of scrap and their implications for steel production technology choices. Steel production using recycled materials has a continuous growth and is likely to be a major route for steel production in the long run. However as the global average of in-use steel stock increases up to the current average stock of the industrialised economies global steel demand keeps growing and stagnates only after 2050. Due to high steel demand levels and scarcity of scrap more than 50% of the steel production in 2050 will still have to come from virgin materials. Hydrogen-based steel production could become a major technology option for production from virgin materials particularly in a scenario where Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is not available. Imposing a binding climate target will shift the crude steel price to approximately 500 USD per tonne in the year 2050 provided that CCS is available. However the increased prices are induced by CO2 prices rather than inflated production costs. It is concluded that a global climate target is not likely to influence the use of scrap whereas it shall have an impact on the price of scrap. Finally the results indicate that energy efficiency improvements of current processes will only be sufficient to meet the climate target in combination with CCS. New innovative techniques with lower climate impact will be vital for mitigating climate change.
Energy, Exergy, and Environmental Analyses of Renewable Hydrogen Production Through Plasma Gasification of Microalgal Biomass
Feb 2021
Publication
In this study an energy exergy and environmental (3E) analyses of a plasma-assisted hydrogen production process from microalgae is investigated. Four different microalgal biomass fuels namely raw microalgae (RM) and three torrefied microalgal fuels (TM200 TM250 and TM300) are used as the feedstock for steam plasma gasification to generate syngas and hydrogen. The effects of steam-tobiomass (S/B) ratio on the syngas and hydrogen yields and energy and exergy efficiencies of plasma gasification (hEn;PG hEx;PG) and hydrogen production(hEn;H2 hEx;H2 ) are taken into account. Results show that the optimal S/B ratios of RM TM200 TM250 and TM300 are 0.354 0.443 0.593 and 0.760 respectively occurring at the carbon boundary points (CBPs) where the maximum values of hEn;PG hEx;PG hEn;H2 and hEx;H2 are also achieved. At CBPs torrefied microalgae as feedstock lower thehEn;PG hEx;PG hEn;H2 and hEx;H2 because of their improved calorific value after undergoing torrefaction and the increased plasma energy demand compared to the RM. However beyond CBPs the torrefied feedstock displays better performance. A comparative life cycle analysis indicates that TM300 exhibits the highest greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the lowest net energy ratio (NER) due to the indirect emissions associated with electricity consumption.
A Solar Thermal Sorption-enhanced Steam Methane Reforming (SE-SMR) Approach and its Performance Assessment
Feb 2022
Publication
This paper proposes an integration of concentrating solar power (CSP) with a sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming (SE-SMR) process and assesses its overall solar-to-fuel conversion performance. A thermodynamic treatment of the SE-SMR process for H2 production is presented and evaluated in an innovative two reactors system configuration using CSP as a heat input. Four metal carbonate/metal oxide pairs are considered and the equilibrium thermodynamics reveals that CaCO3/CaO pair is the most suitable candidate for this process. Additionally a reactor-scale thermodynamic model is developed to determine the optimum operating conditions for the process. For the carbonation step temperatures between 700 and 900 K and steam-to-methane ratio ≥4 are found to be the most favorable. Furthermore an advanced process model which utilizes operating conditions determined from the reactor-scale model is developed to evaluate the process efficiency. The model predicts that the proposed process can achieve a solar-to-fuel efficiency ~41% for calcination temperature of 1500 K and carbonation temperature of 800 K without considering any solid heat recovery. An additional 2.5% increase in the process efficiency is feasible with the consideration of the solid heat recovery. This study shows the thermodynamic feasibility of integrating the SE-SMR process with CSP technologies.
Geomechanical Simulation of Energy Storage in Salt Formations
Oct 2021
Publication
A promising option for storing large-scale quantities of green gases (e.g. hydrogen) is in subsurface rock salt caverns. The mechanical performance of salt caverns utilized for long-term subsurface energy storage plays a signifcant role in long-term stability and serviceability. However rock salt undergoes non-linear creep deformation due to long-term loading caused by subsurface storage. Salt caverns have complex geometries and the geological domain surrounding salt caverns has a vast amount of material heterogeneity. To safely store gases in caverns a thorough analysis of the geological domain becomes crucial. To date few studies have attempted to analyze the infuence of geometrical and material heterogeneity on the state of stress in salt caverns subjected to long-term loading. In this work we present a rigorous and systematic modeling study to quantify the impact of heterogeneity on the deformation of salt caverns and quantify the state of stress around the caverns. A 2D fnite element simulator was developed to consistently account for the non-linear creep deformation and also to model tertiary creep. The computational scheme was benchmarked with the already existing experimental study. The impact of cyclic loading on the cavern was studied considering maximum and minimum pressure that depends on lithostatic pressure. The infuence of geometric heterogeneity such as irregularly-shaped caverns and material heterogeneity which involves diferent elastic and creep properties of the diferent materials in the geological domain is rigorously studied and quantifed. Moreover multi-cavern simulations are conducted to investigate the infuence of a cavern on the adjacent caverns. An elaborate sensitivity analysis of parameters involved with creep and damage constitutive laws is performed to understand the infuence of creep and damage on deformation and stress evolution around the salt cavern confgurations.
Trace Level Analysis of Reactive ISO 14687 Impurities in Hydrogen Fuel Using Laser-based Spectroscopic Detection Methods
Oct 2020
Publication
Hydrogen fuelled vehicles can play a key role in the decarbonisation of transport and reducing emissions. To ensure the durability of fuel cells a specification has been developed (ISO 14687) setting upper limits to the amount fraction of a series of impurities. Demonstrating conformity with this standard requires demonstrating by measurement that the actual levels of the impurities are below the thresholds. Currently the industry is unable to do so for measurement standards and sensitive dedicated analytical methods are lacking. In this work we report on the development of such measurement standards and methods for four reactive components: formaldehyde formic acid hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride. The primary measurement standard is based on permeation and the analytical methods on highly sensitive and selective laser-based spectroscopic techniques. Relative expanded uncertainties at the ISO 14687 threshold level in hydrogen of 4% (formaldehyde) 8% (formic acid) 5% (hydrogen chloride) and 8% (hydrogen fluoride) have been achieved.
Opportunities for Hydrogen Energy Technologies Considering the National Energy & Climate Plans
Aug 2020
Publication
The study analyses the role of hydrogen in the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and identifies and highlights opportunities for hydrogen technologies to contribute to effective and efficient achievement of the 2030 climate and energy targets of the EU and its Member States.<br/>The study focuses on the potential and opportunities of renewable hydrogen produced by electrolysers using renewable electricity and of low-carbon hydrogen produced by steam methane reforming combined with CCS. The opportunities for and impacts of hydrogen deployment are assessed and summarised in individual fiches per Member State.<br/>The study analyses to what extent policy measures and industrial initiatives are already being taken to facilitate large-scale implementation of hydrogen in the current and the next decades. The study concludes by determining the CO2 reduction potential beyond what is foreseen in the NECPs through hydrogen energy technologies estimating the reduction of fossil fuel imports and reliance the prospective cost and the value added and jobs created. National teams working on decarbonisation roadmaps and updates of the NECPs are welcome to consider the opportunities and benefits of hydrogen deployment identified in this study.
The New Oil? The Geopolitics and International Governance of Hydrogen
Jun 2020
Publication
While most hydrogen research focuses on the technical and cost hurdles to a full-scale hydrogen economy little consideration has been given to the geopolitical drivers and consequences of hydrogen developments. The technologies and infrastructures underpinning a hydrogen economy can take markedly different forms and the choice over which pathway to take is the object of competition between different stakeholders and countries. Over time cross-border maritime trade in hydrogen has the potential to fundamentally redraw the geography of global energy trade create a new class of energy exporters and reshape geopolitical relations and alliances between countries. International governance and investments to scale up hydrogen value chains could reduce the risk of market fragmentation carbon lock-in and intensified geo-economic rivalry.
Renewable Power and Heat for the Decarbonisation of Energy-Intensive Industries
Dec 2022
Publication
The present review provides a catalogue of relevant renewable energy (RE) technologies currently available (regarding the 2030 scope) and to be available in the transition towards 2050 for the decarbonisation of Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs). RE solutions have been classified into technologies based on the use of renewable electricity and those used to produce heat for multiple industrial processes. Electrification will be key thanks to the gradual decrease in renewable power prices and the conversion of natural-gas-dependent processes. Industrial processes that are not eligible for electrification will still need a form of renewable heat. Among them the following have been identified: concentrating solar power heat pumps and geothermal energy. These can supply a broad range of needed temperatures. Biomass will be a key element not only in the decarbonisation of conventional combustion systems but also as a biofuel feedstock. Biomethane and green hydrogen are considered essential. Biomethane can allow a straightforward transition from fossil-based natural gas to renewable gas. Green hydrogen production technologies will be required to increase their maturity and availability in Europe (EU). EIIs’ decarbonisation will occur through the progressive use of an energy mix that allows EU industrial sectors to remain competitive on a global scale. Each industrial sector will require specific renewable energy solutions especially the top greenhouse gas-emitting industries. This analysis has also been conceived as a starting point for discussions with potential decision makers to facilitate a more rapid transition of EIIs to full decarbonisation.
International Association for Hydrogen Safety ‘Research Priorities Workshop’, September 2018, Buxton, UK
Sep 2018
Publication
Hydrogen has the potential to be used by many countries as part of decarbonising the future energy system. Hydrogen can be used as a fuel ‘vector’ to store and transport energy produced in low-carbon ways. This could be particularly important in applications such as heating and transport where other solutions for low and zero carbon emission are difficult. To enable the safe uptake of hydrogen technologies it is important to develop the international scientific evidence base on the potential risks to safety and how to control them effectively. The International Association for Hydrogen Safety (known as IA HySAFE) is leading global efforts to ensure this. HSE hosted the 2018 IA HySAFE Biennial Research Priorities Workshop. A panel of international experts presented during nine key topic sessions: (1) Industrial and National Programmes; (2) Applications; (3) Storage; (4) Accident Physics – Gas Phase; (5) Accident Physics – Liquid/ Cryogenic Behaviour; (6) Materials; (7) Mitigation Sensors Hazard Prevention and Risk Reduction; (8) Integrated Tools for Hazard and Risk Assessment; (9) General Aspects of Safety.<br/>This report gives an overview of each topic made by the session chairperson. It also gives further analysis of the totality of the evidence presented. The workshop outputs are shaping international activities on hydrogen safety. They are helping key stakeholders to identify gaps in knowledge and expertise and to understand and plan for potential safety challenges associated with the global expansion of hydrogen in the energy system.
A Review of Recent Developments in Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Process
Jun 2021
Publication
In this review we provide a short overview of the Molecular Dynamics (MD) method and how it can be used to model the water splitting process in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. We cover classical non-reactive and reactive MD techniques as well as multiscale extensions combining classical MD with quantum chemical and continuum methods. Selected examples of MD investigations of various aqueous semiconductor interfaces with a special focus on TiO2 are discussed. Finally we identify gaps in the current state-of-the-art where further developments will be needed for better utilization of MD techniques in the field of water splitting.
Government Strategy on Hydrogen - The Netherlands
Apr 2020
Publication
Low-carbon gases are indispensable to any energy system that is reliable clean affordable safe and is suited to spatial integration and zero-carbon hydrogen is a crucial link in that chain1. The most common element in the universe seems to have a highly bonding effect in the Netherlands – particularly as a result of the unique starting position of our country. This is made clear in the agreements of the National Climate Agreement which includes an ambitious target for hydrogen supported by a large and broad group of stakeholders. Industrial clusters and ports regard hydrogen as an indispensable part of their future and sustainability strategy. For the transport sector hydrogen (in combination with fuel cells) is crucial to achieving zero emissions transport. The agricultural sector has identified opportunities for the production of hydrogen and for its use. Cities regions and provinces are keen to get started on implementing hydrogen.<br/>The government embraces these targets and recognises the power of the framework for action demonstrated by so many parties. The focus on clean hydrogen in the Netherlands will lead to the creation of new jobs improvements to air quality and moreover is crucial to the energy transition.
Safety of Laboratories for New Hydrogen Techniques
Sep 2007
Publication
In this paper a case of hydrogen release in a typical research laboratory for the characterisation of hydrogen solid-state storage materials has been considered. The laboratory is equipped with various testing equipments for the assessment of hydrogen capacity in materials typically in the 1 to 200 bar pressure range and temperatures up to 500°C. Hydrogen is delivered at 200 bar by a 50 l gas bottle and a compressor located outside the laboratory. The safety measures directly related to hydrogen hazard consist in a distributed ventilation of the laboratory and air extraction fume hoods located on top of each instrument. Goal of this work is the modelling of hydrogen accidental release in a real laboratory case in order to provide a more fundamental basis for the laboratory safety design and assist the decision on the number and position of the safety sensors. The computational fluid dynamics code (CFD) ANSYS-CFX has been selected in order to perform the numerical investigations. Two basic accidental release scenarios have been assumed both at 200 bar: a major leak corresponding to a guillotine breaking of the hydrogen distribution line and a smaller leak typical for a not properly tight junction.
No more items...