Chinese Taipei
Effect of Low-Temperature Sensitization on Hydrogen Embrittlement of 301 Stainless Steel
Feb 2017
Publication
The effect of metastable austenite on the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of cold-rolled (30% reduction in thickness) 301 stainless steel (SS) was investigated. Cold-rolled (CR) specimens were hydrogen-charged in an autoclave at 300 or 450 °C under a pressure of 10 MPa for 160 h before tensile tests. Both ordinary and notched tensile tests were performed in air to measure the tensile properties of the non-charged and charged specimens. The results indicated that cold rolling caused the transformation of austenite into α′ and ε-martensite in the 301 SS. Aging at 450 °C enhanced the precipitation of M23C6 carbides G and σ phases in the cold-rolled specimen. In addition the formation of α′ martensite and M23C6 carbides along the grain boundaries increased the HE susceptibility and low-temperature sensitization of the 450 °C-aged 301 SS. In contrast the grain boundary α′-martensite and M23C6 carbides were not observed in the as-rolled and 300 °C-aged specimens
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production by Photo-Reforming of Methanol with One-pot Synthesized Pt-containing TiO2 Photocatalysts
Jul 2019
Publication
Functionalization of semiconductors by metallic nanoparticle is considered to be one of the most effective procedure to improve photocatalytic hydrogen production. Photodeposition is frequently used for functionalization but particle sizes and dispersions are still difficult to control. Here Pt functionalization is achieved in a one-pot synthesis. The as-prepared samples are compared to reference materials prepared by conventional photodeposition and our results confirm that small and well-dispersed nanoparticles with superior stability are obtained by one-pot synthesis. The enhanced stability is attributed to a limited leaching of Pt nanoparticles during illumination likely caused by the preferable interaction of small well dispersed Pt nanoparticles with the TiO2 support material. In addition our results demonstrate that Na-residues are detrimental for the photocatalytic performance and washing in acidic solution is mandatory to effectively reduce the sodium contamination.
Simulations of Hydrogen Production by Methanol Steam Reforming
Jan 2019
Publication
Methanol is regarded as an important feedstock for hydrogen production due to its high energy density and superior transportability. A tubular packed-bed reactor performing the methanol steam reforming (MSR) process was modeled by adopting computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to analyze its performance. Kinetic parameters of the reactions were adjusted according to the literatures and our previous experimental results. The methanol conversion the hydrogen production rate and the CO concentration in the produced mixture were evaluated by considering different levels of the length and temperature of the catalyst bed the steam-to-carbon ratio and the space velocity of the feedstocks. Moreover the correlation between the dimensionless parameter Damköhler number and the methanol conversion was also investigated.
Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Footprint in Public Transportation - A Case Study of Bus Route NO. 2 in Tainan City, Taiwan
Apr 2019
Publication
Human activities have exacerbated global greenhouse effects resulting in extreme climate changes that have caused disasters and food and water shortages in recent years. Transport activities are the one of the main causes of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore policy makers must develop some strategies to reduce GHG emissions. One of the Taiwan’s transportation policies intended to reduce CO2 emissions is to replace all traditional diesel fuel urban buses with alternative energy buses. This paper uses a case study of bus route NO. 2 in Tainan City and follows the international standard ISO/TS 14067 and PAS2050 to measure the carbon footprints of different energy buses. The purpose is to measure the environmental benefits of alternative energy buses. The results of the bus carbon footprints from high to low were LNG buses 63.14g CO2e/pkm; traditional diesel buses 54.6g CO2e/pkm; liquefied petroleum gas buses 47.4g CO2e/pkm; plug-in electric buses 37.82g CO2e/pkm and hydrogen fuel cell bus es 29.17g CO2e/pkm respectively. It was also found that the use of hydrogen fuel cell buses would potentially reduce CO2e emissions in Tainan City by 1244081 tons which at this time is only city bus No. 2. If all the Taiwan city buses were switched to hydrogen fuel cell buses this would potentially reduce CO2e by 227832.39 tons. The effect of the reduction in carbon emissions from the use of hydrogen fuel cells buses in all Taiwanese urban areas is the equivalent of planting 22.78 million trees. It is thus suggested that the government use hydrogen fuel cell buses as the future of the country’s major alternative energy buses since they are the most environmentally friendly alternative to reducing CO2 emissions.
Hydrogen Embrittlement of a Boiler Water Wall Tube in a District Heating System
Jul 2022
Publication
A district heating system is an eco-friendly power generation facility with high energy efficiency. The boiler water wall tube used in the district heating system is exposed to extremely harsh conditions and unexpected fractures often occur during operation. In this study a corrosion failure analysis of the boiler water wall tube was performed to elucidate the failure mechanisms. The study revealed that overheating by flames was the cause of the failure of the boiler water wall tube. With an increase in temperature in a localized region the microstructure not only changed from ferrite/pearlite to martensite/bainite which made it more susceptible to brittleness but it also developed tensile residual stresses in the water-facing side by generating cavities or microcracks along the grain boundaries inside the tube. High-temperature hydrogen embrittlement combined with stress corrosion cracking initiated many microcracks inside the tube and created an intergranular fracture.
Multi-functional Hybrid Energy System for Zero-energy Residential Buildings: Integrating Hydrogen Production and Renewable Energy Solutions
Jan 2025
Publication
The increasing global residential energy demand causes carbon emissions and ecological impacts necessitating cleaner efficient solutions. This study presents an innovative hybrid energy system integrating wind power and gas turbines for a four-story 16-unit residential building. The system generates electricity heating cooling and hydrogen using a Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyzer and a compression chiller. Integrating the electrolyzer enables hydrogen production and demonstrates hydrogen’s potential as a versatile clean energy carrier for systems contributing to advancements in hydrogen utilization. Simulations with Engineering Equation Solver software coupled with neural network-based multi-objective optimization fine-tuned parameters such as gas turbine efficiency wind turbine count and gas turbine inlet temperature to enhance exergy efficiency and reduce operational costs. The optimized system achieves an energy efficiency of 33.69% and an exergy efficiency of 36.95% and operates at $446.04 per hour demonstrating economic viability. It produces 51061 MWh annually exceeding the building’s energy demands and allowing surplus energy use elsewhere. BEopt simulations confirm the system meets residential needs by providing 2.52 GWh of electricity 3.36 GWh of heating and 5.11 GWh of cooling annually. This system also generates 10 kg of hydrogen per hour and achieves a CO₂ reduction of 10416 tons/year. The wind farm (25 turbines) provides most of the energy at 396.7 dollars per hour while the gas turbine operates at 80% efficiency. By addressing the challenges of intermittent renewable energy in residential Zero-Energy Buildings this research offers a scalable and environmentally friendly solution contributing to sustainable urban living and advancing hydrogen energy applications.
Hydrogen Trapping and Embrittlement in Metals - A Review
Apr 2024
Publication
Hydrogen embrittlement in metals (HE) is a serious challenge for the use of high strength materials in engineering practice and a major barrier to the use of hydrogen for global decarbonization. Here we describe the factors and variables that determine HE susceptibility and provide an overview of the latest understanding of HE mechanisms. We discuss hydrogen uptake and how it can be managed. We summarize hydrogen trapping and the techniques used for its characterization. We also review literature that argues that hydrogen trapping can be used to decrease HE susceptibility. We discuss the future research that is required to advance the understanding of HE and hydrogen trapping and to develop HE-resistant alloys.
Catalytic Innovations for High-Yield Biohydrogen Production in Integrated Dark Fermentation and Microbial Electrolysis Systems
Sep 2025
Publication
Biohydrogen a low-carbon footprint technology can play a significant role in decarbonizing the energy system. It uses existing infrastructure is easily transportable and produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Four technologies can be used to produce biohydrogen: photosynthetic biohydrogen dark fermentation (DF) photo-fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). DF produces more biohydrogen and is flexible with organic substrates making it a sustainable method of waste repurposing. However low achievable biohydrogen yields are a common issue. To overcome this catalytic mechanisms including enzymatic systems such as [Fe-Fe]- and [Ni-Fe]-hydrogenases in DF and electroactive microbial consortia in MECs alongside advanced electrode catalysts which collectively surmount thermodynamic and kinetic constraints and the two stage system such as DF connection to photo-fermentation and anaerobic digestion (AD) to microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have been investigated. MECs can generate biohydrogen at better yields by using sugars or organic acids and combining DF and MEC technologies could improve biohydrogen production. As such this review highlights the challenges and possible solutions for coupling DF–MEC while also offering knowledge regarding the technical and microbiological aspects.
Risk Analysis of Hydrogen Leakage at Hydrogen Producing and Refuelling Integrated Station
Feb 2025
Publication
Hydrogen energy is considered the most promising clean energy in the 21st century so hydrogen refuelling stations (HRSs) are crucial facilities for storage and supply. HRSs might experience hydrogen leakage (HL) incidents during their operation. Hydrogen-producing and refuelling integrated stations (HPRISs) could make thermal risks even more prominent than those of HRSs. Considering HL as the target in the HPRIS through the method of fault tree analysis (FTA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) the importance degree and probability importance were appraised to obtain indicators for the weight of accident level. In addition the influence of HL from storage tanks under ambient wind conditions was analysed using the specific model. Based upon risk analysis of FTA AHP and ALOHA preventive measures were obtained. Through an evaluation of importance degree and probability importance it was concluded that misoperation material ageing inadequate maintenance and improper design were four dominant factors contributing to accidents. Furthermore four crucial factors contributing to accidents were identified by the analysis of the weight of the HL event with AHP: heat misoperation inadequate maintenance and valve failure. Combining the causal analysis of FTA with the expert weights from AHP enables the identification of additional crucial factors in risk. The extent of the hazard increased with wind speed and yet wind direction did not distinctly affect the extent of the risk. However this did affect the direction in which the risk spreads. It is extremely vital to rationally plan upwind and downwind buildings or structures equipment and facilities. The available findings of the research could provide theoretical guidance for the applications and promotion of hydrogen energy in China as well as for the proactive safety and feasible emergency management of HPRISs.
Development of Electric Power Generator by Using Hydrogen
Nov 2023
Publication
In this research we developed a hydrogen (H2 ) electric generator in an H2 generation system based on chemical reactions. In the experiment we tested the performance of the H2 electric generator and measured the amount of H2 generated. The maximum output was 700 W and the thermal efficiency was 18.2%. The theoretical value and measured value were almost the same and the maximum error was 4%.
Alternative Gaseous Fuels for Marine Vessels towards Zero-Carbon Emissions
Nov 2023
Publication
The maritime industry is recognized as a major pollution source to the environment. The use of low- or zero-carbon marine alternative fuel is a promising measure to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants leading to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Hydrogen (H2 ) fuel cells particularly proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and ammonia (NH3 ) are screened out to be the feasible marine gaseous alternative fuels. Green hydrogen can reduce the highest carbon emission which might amount to 100% among those 5 types of hydrogen. The main hurdles to the development of H2 as a marine alternative fuel include its robust and energy-consuming cryogenic storage system highly explosive characteristics economic transportation issues etc. It is anticipated that fossil fuel used for 35% of vehicles such as marine vessels automobiles or airplanes will be replaced with hydrogen fuel in Europe by 2040. Combustible NH3 can be either burned directly or blended with H2 or CH4 to form fuel mixtures. In addition ammonia is an excellent H2 carrier to facilitate its production storage transportation and usage. The replacement of promising alternative fuels can move the marine industry toward decarbonization emissions by 2050.
Minimization of Construction and Operation Costs of the Fuel Cell Bus Transportation System
Dec 2024
Publication
This paper took the actual bus transportation system as the object simulated the operating state of the system replaced all the current diesel engine buses with fuel cell buses using electrolysis-produced hydrogen and completed the existing timetable and routes. In the study the numbers of hydrogen production stations and hydrogen storage stations the maximum hydrogen storage capacity of the buses the supplementary hydrogen capacity of the buses and the hydrogen production capacity of the hydrogen storage stations were used as the optimal adjustment parameters for minimizing the ten-year construction and operating costs of the fuel cell bus transportation system by the artificial bee colony algorithm. Two hydrogen supply methods decentralized and centralized hydrogen production were analyzed. This paper used the actual bus timetable to simulate the operation of the buses including 14 transfer stations and 112 routes. The results showed that the use of centralized hydrogen production and partitioned hydrogen production transfer stations could indeed reduce the construction and operating costs of the fuel cell bus transportation system. Compared with the decentralized hydrogen production case the construction and operating costs could be reduced by 6.9% 12.3% and 14.5% with one two and three zones for centralized hydrogen production respectively.
Techno-economic Analysis for Advanced Methods of Green Hydrogen Production
May 2024
Publication
In the ongoing effort to reduce carbon emissions on a worldwide scale green hydrogen which is generated through environmentally responsible processes has emerged as a significant driving force. As the demand for clean energy continues to rise it is becoming increasingly important to have a solid understanding of the technological and economic elements of modern techniques of producing green hydrogen. In the context of green hydrogen generation understanding green hydrogen production's techno-economic features is necessary to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. associated with breakthroughs in technology the present study examines the most fascinating and relevant aspects of techno-economic analysis. Despite challenges green hydrogen can help the world move to a cleaner more sustainable energy future with solid analytical frameworks and legislation.
Hydrogen Production from Semiconductor-based Photocatalysis via Water Splitting
Oct 2012
Publication
Hydrogen is the ideal fuel for the future because it is clean energy efficient and abundant in nature. While various technologies can be used to generate hydrogen only some of them can be considered environmentally friendly. Recently solar hydrogen generated via photocatalytic water splitting has attracted tremendous attention and has been extensively studied because of its great potential for low-cost and clean hydrogen production. This paper gives a comprehensive review of the development of photocatalytic water splitting for generating hydrogen particularly under visible-light irradiation. The topics covered include an introduction of hydrogen production technologies a review of photocatalytic water splitting over titania and non-titania based photocatalysts a discussion of the types of photocatalytic water-splitting approaches and a conclusion for the current challenges and future prospects of photocatalytic water splitting. Based on the literatures reported here the development of highly stable visible–light-active photocatalytic materials and the design of efficient low-cost photoreactor systems are the key for the advancement of solar-hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting in the future.
Feasibility Assessment and Response Surface Optimisation of a Fuel Cell-integrated Sustainable Wind Farm in Italy
Sep 2025
Publication
This study explores the design and feasibility of a novel fuel cell-powered wind farm for residential electricity hydrogen/oxygen production and cooling/heating via a compression chiller. Wind turbine energy powers Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and a compression chiller unit. The proposed system was modeled using EES thermodynamic software and its economic viability was assessed. A case study across seven Italian regions with varying wind potentials evaluated the system’s feasibility in diverse weather conditions. Multi-objective optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) determined the number of wind turbines as optimum number of electrolyzers & fuel cell units. Optimization results indicated that 37 wind turbines 1 fuel cell unit and 2 electrolyzer units yielded an exergy efficiency of 27.98 % and a cost rate of 619.9 $/h. TOPSIS analysis suggested 32 wind turbines 2 electrolyzers and 2 reverse osmosis units as an alternative configuration. Further twelve different scenarios were examined to enhance the distribution of wind farmgenerated electricity among the grid electrolyzers and reverse osmosis systems. revealing that directing 25 % to reverse osmosis 20 % to electrolyzers and 55 % to grid sales was optimal. Performance analysis across seven Italian cities (Turin Bologna Florence Palermo Genoa Milan and Rome) identified Genoa Palermo and Bologna as the most suitable locations due to favorable wind conditions. Implementing the system in Genoa the optimal site could produce 28435 MWh of electricity annually prevent 5801 tons of CO2 emissions (equivalent to 139218 $). Moreover selling this clean electricity to the grid could meet the annual clean electricity needs of approximately 5770 people in Italy
Ammonia Decomposition and Hydrogen Production via Novel FeCoNiCuMnO High-entropy Ceramic Catalysts
Oct 2025
Publication
Ammonia (NH3) decomposition offers a pathway for water purification and green hydrogen production yet conventional catalysts often suffer from poor stability due to agglomeration. This study presents a novel (FeCoNiCuMn)O high-entropy ceramic (HEC) catalyst synthesized via fast-moving bed pyrolysis (FMBP) which prevents aggregation and enhances catalytic performance. The HEC catalyst applied as an anode in electrochemical oxidation (EO) demonstrated a uniform spinel (AB2O4) structure confirmed by XRD XRF and ICP-OES. Electronic structure characterization using UPS and LEIPS revealed a bandgap of 4.722 eV with EVBM and ECBM values facilitating redox reactions. Under 9 V and 50 mA/cm² current density the HEC electrode achieved 99% ammonia decomposition within 90 min and retained over 90% efficiency after four cycles. Surface analysis by XPS and HAXPES indicated oxidation state variations confirming catalyst activity and stability. Gas chromatography identified H2 N2 and O2 as the main products with ~64.7% Faradaic efficiency for H2 classifying it as green hydrogen. This dual-function approach highlights the (FeCoNiCuMn)O HEC anode as a promising and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment and hydrogen production.
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