)_Q/)‘-{.155/7-L 3.0 7‘/0%‘! Issue Brief Mis uuwmw bi a J|||l||iil'iIi|I1[i|$!1litfIl 0- 03 min 1 CNGRESSICNAL RESEARCH SERVICE! LIBRARY OF CONGRESS HYDROGEN FOR TBASSPGRTATION AND STORAGE OF ENERGY S ISSUE BRIEF NUMBER IB74089 AUTHOR: Segal, Miqdon B. Science Policy Research Division THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE MAJOR ISSUES SYSTEM DATE ORIGINATED Qgggggzg DATE UPDATED gjgggggg FOB ADDITIONAL IRFORHATION CALL 287-5700 0123 CRS* 1 ‘’ IB74O89i UPDATE“O3/22/80, I”§Q§_Q§El§£E£Q§ The use of hydrogen as.a medium for transporting and storing energy is a concept that has attracted attention in recent years. Under this concept, hydrogen would be produced from water, using nuclear or solar energy to dissociate the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen could then be distributed through pipelines and used to fuel our entire economy (transportation, industry, heating and cooling, etc.). Thus, there might be no more need for fossil fuel {such as oil)‘ or" coal.‘ However, there are serious doubts as to the practical feasibility of this concept, because of its many inherent problems. These problems include the great loss of energy in the cycle and the difficulties involved in handling and storing hydrogen. Hydrogen {molecular formula 52) is the most plentiful element in the universe. It is the first element in the periodic table, shich means that it is the lightest of all the elements. Because of its light weight, free hydrogen is almost nonexistent on Earth, since this planetas temperatures are high enough to cause hydrogen in the atmosphere to "boil away“ and escape into space. However, hydrogen readily combines eith oxygen to form the chemical compound water (H20). Thus, the product of hydrogen combustion is totally nonpolluting e—w Man important,i positive factor in this pollution—conscious era. Qn¢a“weight basis, one—ninth of all the water on F ‘tn consists of hydrogen. ‘a ‘ §2dr99en_Eedai::§enrsa§-and-§§e§ i Under today‘s economic conditions, hydrogen is obtained more cheaply as a byproduct of oil or natural gas than it is by dissociating the water molecule. Its largest single use is in the synthesis of ammonia, but it is also used in a number of other chemical manufacturing processes. The first major use of hydrogen (produced from methane) as a fuel was in the space program. Liguid hydrogen is burned with oxygen to produce the tremendous amounts of thrust needed to lift a rocket with a payload into .Barth orbit or to send it to the moon. The Saturn rocket, ahich has been the backbone of the NASA space exploration program, is powered by liguid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. ‘hi rogen storage. Hydrogen can be reacted with metals to form so a series of NASA~sponsored studies on the practicability, feasibility, and cost of hydrogen ash a transport aircraft fuel indicated that a liquid-hydrogen~fueled aircraft system is not limited by technolo9Y; but rather by economics, ground handling, and public and Federal acceptance of the new concept. In addition, both NASA. and DOE are investigating the feasibility of hydrogen aspa substitute for or an additive to gasoline in an automobile engine. The mesh project involves heating gasoline with air to generate hydrogen, then mixing it nith gasoline in the carburetor. he I hydrogen plus gasoline mixture is then used to power an automobile engin D?” is taking a different approach involving the use of metal hydrides f l c #1P“O!D CD Pf R compounds (known as metal hydrides), which can be stored more easily, safely, and with potentially less volume than is required for gaseous or liquid hydrogen. The metals first investigated. for this purpose were a manganese—nicKel alloy and an iron—titanium alloy. Honev~r, these material" I I CBS- 2 1374089 UPDATE-03/22/80 have serious drawbacxs (see below) and other metal hydrides are being investigated. In use, the metal hydride would be stored in the vehicle in powdered form. Hhen heated by water from the car’s radiator, the hydride decomposes, producing hydrogen gas that is burned in the engine. The remaining metal could eventually be recycled to reform the metal hydride. The_2§1dre9en-§s2n9nz2 Both the above projects are far less sweeping in scope than the concept of the "hydrogen economy." In the hydrogen economy, water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen, using a nondepletable energy source, such as nuclear or solar energy. The hydrogen produced in this manner is then transported through pipelines and burned to provide fuel for the various needs .of our economy (e.g, transportation, industry, heating, cooling, etc.). Since the burning of hydrogen involves combining it with oxygen to produce mater, the "hydrogen economy“ actually comprises a huge closed system nhere (a) hydrogen and oxygen are separated out from water, with expenditure of energy being required, and (b) hydrogen is recombined with oxygen to form water, with’l release of useful energy taking place. According to the lass o thermodynamics, a system of this nature cannot produce a net increase i energy, and, in fact, must produce a net energy loss. This means that th I (U cost (in energy) of producing hydrogen will be more than the energy output of burning that same hydrogen. while the "hydrogen economy" in its pure form is not likely to be practical in the foreseeable future, there may indeed be important uses for hydrogen as an energy tranportation and storage medium, for instance in heating homes or powering transportation vehicles. The Department of Energy‘s hydrogen research program, a part of the overall energy storage program of DOE, is working on solving the problems which must be overcome ‘n order to make such uses of hydrogen feasible. These problems include ‘tie following: ' (1) Hydrogen is one of the most difficult of all materials to handle and store. As a gas, its low density makes bulky, high-volume containers necessary (or alternatively, very high pressures), and tends to leak through container Halls and even to attack those walls through the phenomenon Known as "hydrogen embrittlement.” (This phenomenon is not well understood, and the degree of severity is in doubt. According to DOE, hydrogen may be passed through existing natural gas pipelines without significant leakage or embrittlement.) As a liquid, hydrogen requires cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero that are difficult to maintain. As a metal hydride, hydrogen is somewhat more manageable than it is in the gaseous or liquid Lathfll forms. However, the quantity of metal required makes metal hydride storage of hydrogen costly in terms of Height load (particularly damaging for use in an automobile), and in terms of using up our metals resources. (2) There is a sizable loss of energy in the hydrogen cycle, which involves using energy to dissociate hydrogen from the, water molecule, then recombining hydrogen and oxygen to form water and obtain energy. The energy ,obtained in such a cycle can never be as much as the energy expended. an early estimate mas that b Btu of electricity would be required for each Btu of electricity generated in this manner. DOE believes this ratio to be excessively high, and electricity may not be the energy form used in either the creation or the combustion of hydrogen (heat, instead, may be the ena gy form of choice). The question of whether the energy loss can be kept within acceptable levels remains to be resolved. (3) The use of hydrogen in a motor vehicle is virtually impossible at CBS" 3 _ 1374089 UPDATE*O§/22/80, lthls time because of materials, size, and weight handicaps. The best of the pr_ven metal hydrides, iron-titanium, would reguire some 3,200 pounds of metal to hold enough hydrogen to equal the fuel capacity of a 20-gallon aasoline tank. This would double the weight and metal content of and average r, and, if such vehicles were used .inp large numbers, it’ uould sharply deplete our supplies of both iron and titanium. Experimental work is under uay«to find lighter-weight metal hydrides which yould still he inexpensive and readily available. If such materials can be found, the use of hydrogen for automotive purposes might then become feasible. ’ - (4) The "hydrogen economy“ idea is based upon the hypothesis that the Barth’s fossil fuel supplies are close to exhaustion.~ This hypothesis makes it necessary to introduce a system that does not depends upon fossil fuels, using nondepletable energy sources (nuclear or solar power) instead, and using the energy derived from these sources to make hydrogen. Hydrogen then becomes the all-purpose fuel for the entire society. In fact,‘ fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal, etc.) are likely to be available for hundreds of years to C0139. Eederal_L9an§l_aidl_§rnn:§l Currently there is nonspecific program of Federal aid for_the. development cof hydrogen as an energy transportation and storage medium. The Billings Energy Corporation, a private firm, received a limited amount of funding and assistance with, materials in its development of the hydrogen~powered automobile and “Hydrogen HQ@§stead.“ * ‘ ‘Ell’ «- Legislation introduced in September ?979 by ‘Rep. Grassley (H.B. 5399) would establish a detailed program for research, development, and demonstration of hydrogen technologies. It would include development eork in three principal areas: coal gasification, solar energY» and ,low~head hydroelectric power. The proposed legislation would provide for incentives such as loan guarantees, price guarantees, amortization, and ptax credits. H.B. 5399 has been referred jointly to four committees of the House. The following table shows funding for research and development rv hydrogen as an energy medium for fiscal years 1977-1979 (actual funding} a. 1980 {Administration request). The figures are for the Department of Energi no significant 85D effort for this technology is being funded by any othe federal agency. riscal rears 32ZZ:32§9_l:iunre§_in_milli9n§l tnndins-:er_nier2uen-§§2i FY 1977 7 3978 73979 7980 Funding 28.2 9 27.6 33.0 %8.6 uéjjjczoxxutn 8.8. 5399 {Grassley) The Hydrogen Fuel Development and Use not of .3979. Establishes comprehensive progran for research, development, and demonstratio H‘: {U §2Q_E§§-;£§§EllE§§ ~~~ei cns— 4 l iB7u089 UPDATE-oi/22,50 hydrogen technologies. will include development work in three main areas: coal gasification, solar, and low—head hydroelectric power. Provides for loan guarantees, price guarantees, amortization, and tax credits. Introduced Sept. 25, 1979; referred jointly to Committees on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs; Interstate and Foreign Conmerce; Science and Techonology; and Ha‘: and means. a ~ §§e§£§§§ D.S. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Technology. Subcommittee on Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration. Hydrogen., Hearings, 94th Congress, 1st session. June 30, 12,f 1975. 3§EQB2§_§§2_§QE§§§§§lQEéé-2999§§flZ§ 11/10/77 —- First “Hydrogen Homestead," using hydrogen as a home and farm fuel, becomes operational in Provo, Utah. 00/O0/76 -- DOE verifies that hydrogen in a 10% mixture with natural gas can be used in existing natural gas distrihution systems. O5/12/76 -- First hydrogen-powered “electric” automobile, using a electrolysis and metal hydride, was displayed at Brookhaven Lab Energy Fair (developed by Billings Energy Research Corp.). O3/18/74 —— The Hydrogen Economy Miami Energy (THBhE) Conference was held in hiami Beach, Florida. This was the first professional meeting to consider comprehensively the entire field of hydrogen-related research. O9/?7/73 —- NASA announced the beginning of an experimental program intended to demonstrate the feasibility of an internal combustion engine making use of hydrogen as a fuel. O1/O0/73 -- Researchers at Brookhaven Laboratory published important work relating to the formation and properties of metal hydrides. 11/O0/72 -* Article in gggggpe magazine by Lawrence Lessing first called public attention to the concept of the "hydrogen economy.“ jjjittjj jjj-1.1-ja——;u:—tt¢11j1j——nj-—-u-:jjv~@— Banberger, C.E. Braunstein, J. Hydrogen: a versatile element. Anerican scientist, v. 63, July-Aug. 1975: H38-#47. CBS— 5 IB74089 UPDATE-O3/22/80 Brewer, G. D. Final report: advanced supersonic technology concept study —— hydrogen fueled configuration. (HASA CR ?14738) Lockneedrcalifornia Conpany, January 3974. Brewer, G. D., et al. Final report: study of the application of hydrogen fuel to long range sunsonic transport aircraft. {NASA CR—132559) Lockheed—California Company for Langley Research Center, January 1975. Bylinsxy, Gene. Green plants might provide the cheapest energy of all. Fortune, V. 94, Sept. 3976: ?52~357. Conference Proceedings. The Hydrogen Economy hiani Energy (Tfirhfi) Conference, harch 38~20, 197%, niani Beach, Florida, ed. hy T. Nejat Veziroglu, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. Ember, Lois 3. Hydrogen: a future energy mediator? Environmental science 8 technology. V. 9, Feb. 1975: 102-703. Foss, B. L., B. B. Wright, and B. L. Bragdon. Studies of the impact of advanced technologies applied to supersonic cruise aircraft, Task IV—2 Cruise speed selection study. (NASA CR-132620) Lockheed~California Company, April 3975. Harrenstein, Howard P. The hydrogen economy-—a state of the art. t[Unpnnlished paper} 28 p. a (Dr. Harrenstein is Dean of the School of Engineering and Environmental Design, University of niami, Florida.) Hydrogen energy: a bibliography sith abstracts, cumulative volume (1953-1973), Jan. 1, 1974, ed. ny Kenneth E. Cox, Energy Information Center, University of New hexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kohn, Philip M. Hopes fly high for new hydrogen processes. Chemical engineering, V. 84, nar. 34, 7977: 86, 88, 90-9?. Lessing, Lanrence. The coming hydrogen economy. Fortune, Nov. 7972: PSE8G builds innovative hydrogen storage plant. Electric light and poser. V. 52. Nov. 197%: E/G22-E/G23. Reilly, J.J., and R.H. Uissall. The formation and properties of iron titanium hydride. Broorhaven national Laboratory, Upton, new York [no date} 3% p. Sahara, I. ?., and G. 9. Davis. substantiating data for arron—wing supersonic cruise aircraft structural design concepts evaluation. (Bash C8-?32S75~?,~2,-3,-4) Lockheed~Californi Company, 3976. n; U.S. Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. The hydrogen economy {by} George N. Chathan and higdon B. Segal (Science Policy Research Division). {Washington} Mar. 20, 3975. 28 p. CBS“ 6 :B7u089‘ uPDirn«0a}22;8o Multilith 75-10659 0.5. Library of Congress. Congressional Reserch. Science Policy Research Division. Fact book on non—conventional energy technologies. Prepared for a seminar on new energy technologies: policies and problems. Feb. 23, 1979. Washington, @979. 198 p. {Rept. no. 79-47 SP3) Williams, Richard D. The hydrogen energy sfistem. Journal of environmental systems, V. 5, no. 3, 7975: 233~2u1. winscne, W E., K-C. Hoffman, and F.J. Salzano. Hydrogen: its future role in the nation*s energy economy. Science magazine, V. 180, June 29, 1973: 3325-3332. Rolf, Saul. Afiydrogen “sponge” storage. Naval research reviews, mar. $975: 76-22. The wonder fuel. Hewsweek, flov. 12, 19?3: 75.