First, the hydrogen is minimum volume energy density of energy, and easy to leak, in confined space is very easy because the gathering and explosion; Second, the hydrogen manufacturing costs, although not high, storage and transportation cost is very high, filling station construction cost is higher.
so, the hydrogen although outlook is very good, but the gas is not the best energy carrier, all kinds of liquid form is the best choice. Liquid form has a high energy density, mass transport, easy to achieve low cost advantages of cross-sea transmission. In addition, the high pressure gas such as hydrogen fuel cell car is not suitable for underground parking closed space scene, methanol reforming hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can solve this problem.
a liter of methanol and water reaction can release 143 grams of hydrogen. Methanol in our country are mostly made by coal. Because my country is rich in coal resources, methanol as ever.
in addition, the use of methanol hydrogen production line, the construction of the homeland petrol stations, gas stations and other infrastructure can be up to good use, without the need to invest in filling stations. So, a promising hydrogen first to choose the right technical route.
water electrolysis hydrogen production is not a new technology, new things, but so far there is no oil refinery using electrolytic water route to hydrogen production, hydrogen production costs are lower because natural gas and coal. If water electrolysis hydrogen production technology of hydrogen production cost is lower than natural gas, coal hydrogen production, so the oil refineries, chemical fertilizer plants will soon replace the electrolysis of water hydrogen production process.
as a result, the economy is everything. Many people have suggested to hydrogen production with wind power, photovoltaic power generation, solar power grid, but even if the wind power, photovoltaic (pv) power is zero, because of the electrolysis of water equipment is expensive, still not feasible economically. , of course, if the world unified regulation can no longer use of fossil energy, that is another matter.
however, China's current coal to methanol also has many disadvantages, because only high quality coal to methanol, photovoltaic (pv) grid, but most of China's coal is inferior coal, solar portal, high-quality coal not only prices are high and resources are limited.
so, I suggest that can put the inferior coal before burning a lot of minerals in the separation, to make organic fertilizer on soil improvement. Therefore, hydrogen production by methanol using inferior coal, both technically and economy is completely feasible.
the place on put together is narrated, methanol is the perfect carrier of natural gas, coal and hydrogen energy. Compared with gaseous hydrogen, methanol, higher energy density storage more secure. Methanol and hydrogen route is one of the important route of China's oil shortage and environmental issues.
( The author is the south university of science and technology of the institute for clean energy, solar energy, our reporter Li Huiyu based on & other; 2020 Yangtze international hydrogen industry personnel throughout the summit &; The speech finishing)
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