A new sustainable hydrogen clean energy paradigm

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 4244 - 4255
• Main Author: Stern, Alvin G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Hydrogen clean energy cycle; Hydrogen fuel cell electric generator; Hydrogen on demand; Novel hydrogen energy paradigm; Safe hydrogen generation; Zero emissions; Hydrogen clean energy cycle; Hydrogen fuel cell electric generator; Novel hydrogen energy paradigm; Zero emissions; Hydrogen on demand; Safe hydrogen generation
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.12.180

We analyze the feasibility of a novel, hydrogen fuel cell electric generator to provide power with zero noise and emissions for myriad ground based applications. The hydrogen fuel cell electric generator utilizes a novel, scalable apparatus that safely generates hydrogen (H2) on demand according to a novel method, using a controlled chemical reaction between water (H2O) and sodium (Na) metal that yields hydrogen gas of sufficient purity for direct use in fuel cells without risk of contaminating sensitive catalysts. The sodium hydroxide (NaOH) byproduct of the hydrogen producing reaction, is collected within the apparatus for later reprocessing by electrolysis, to recover the Na reactant. The detailed analysis shows that the novel, hydrogen fuel cell electric generator will be capable of meeting the clean power requirements for residential and commercial buildings including single family homes and light commercial establishments under a wide range of geographic and climatic conditions. •We analyze a novel, hydrogen fuel cell electric generator for myriad applications.•Hydrogen is produced by a controlled chemical reaction between water and sodium.•The apparatus functions without heaters over temperatures from −21.2 °C to 56.7 °C.•The apparatus enables a battery electric vehicle range of 379.9 miles using Na metal.•The NaOH byproduct is recycled to achieve a sustainable, closed clean energy cycle.