From hydrocarbon to hydrogen–carbon to hydrogen economy

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 225 - 237
• Main Authors: Muradov, N.Z., Veziroǧlu, T.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Carbon; Catalytic decomposition; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrocarbon; Hydrogen; Methane; Methane; Hydrocarbon; Hydrogen; Carbon; Catalytic decomposition; Carbon dioxide; Energy carrier; Fossil fuel; Natural gas; Hydrogen production; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2004.03.033

In the near- to medium-term future, hydrogen production will continue to rely on fossil fuels, and will, therefore, remain a potential source of significant CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere. Conventional CO 2 sequestration strategies offer rather expensive and ecologically uncertain solutions. The objective of this paper is to explore novel approaches to solving energy and environmental problems associated with the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels. The paper discusses the technological, environmental and economical aspects of large-scale production of hydrogen and carbon by the catalytic dissociation of natural gas (NG). The authors propose a scenario of fossil-based “hydrogen–carbon” infrastructure, where the hydrogen component of NG is used as a clean energy carrier (e.g., in transportation) and the carbon component is used in several application areas: structural materials, power generation, soil amendment and environmental remediation. This scenario will allow a smooth transition from the current hydrocarbon-based economy to a hydrogen–carbon economy as a half-way point to the ultimate hydrogen-from-renewables economy of the future.