Projects for the use of hydrogen as a fuel of the future in our country, looks like, moving from science fiction into reality. Russia, It is known as a major supplier in the international oil and gas market, soon will supply hydrogen to European markets. Selling it is only now beginning to gain momentum of growth. According to specialists, to 2050 year demand for hydrogen will increase dozens of times, and will take 15-20% of the world energy market. Beginning with 2040 of the year, in the UK and Europe plan to stop selling cars with petrol engines. This decision should stimulate the evolution of hydrogen energy and all its technical component of the overall.
Rolling up his sleeves, for the cause of Russian nuclear specialists are taken. So, at the end 2018 , the state corporation "Rosatom" announced its decision to include hydrogen energy in the composition of its "priority areas of technological development as part of the branch of the national project". And as the main customer of technical solutions for atomic hydrogen energy needs in favor of "VNIIAES".
It is important to clarify, Atomic hydrogen that - it is rather byproduct process, as associated gas from oil. accumulating, it becomes dangerous, and it is easier to burn, than to find some practical application. Oh, knowingly mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is called "oxyhydrogen". Even a small concentration of oxygen impurities in the hydrogen makes it Explosive. At WWER type nuclear reactor core and containment system occurs radiolysis of water with hydrogen evolution. To neutralize this dangerous phenomenon and explosion-nuclear use different control systems and gas cleaning. Developing such systems of "VNIIAES", with extensive experience in the direction of hydrogen energy and a large number of own developments. Hydrogen is neutralized in various ways, but most burn.
System "post-combustion hydrogen" are equipped with some nuclear power plants in the European part of Russia:
Kola NPP - 4 power;
Rostov NPP - 2 power;
Balakovo NPP - 4 power;
Novovoronezhskaya plant - 2 power;
Kalinin NPP - 3 power.
Apparently, blond head of the Atomic Scientists have solved this problem as well, as well as the famous movie character “prisoner of the Caucasus”: “the, who hinder us, that help us!”
Why waste burn hydrogen, We decided to nuclear scientists, when you can earn on its sale. Especially in Europe is now the demand is increasing year by year.
During 2019 at JSC "VNIIAES" planned formation of requests for preliminary design and elaboration of the technical requirements of technology generation, accumulating and transporting hydrogen.
The following innovations are planned:
• MH termosorbtsionny compressor with a discharge pressure of hydrogen 80 MPa and performance 108 nm3N2 / Time;
• electrolytic hydrogen generator output 108 Nm3 H2 / h;
• Installation of alloy production (sorbents) productivity 500 kg / day.;
• production unit methylcyclohexane by hydrogenation of toluene and transportation logistics center and shipping products VKEK (hydrogen / oxygen) to consumers of hydrogen and hub.
Also of note is the problem, current in power systems with an irregular schedule loads during the day. Peak loads during the day alternating crunches consumption at night. Switching portion nuclear power generation to the hydrogen consumption during recessions, it will be possible to equalize the graphics power consumption. Operation with a uniform distribution of the load is most preferred for all generating electrical.
In one of the projects considering the possibility of reloading generating capacity of the nuclear power plants in the European part of Russia for the production of hydrogen product to the needs of consumers. For these purposes is considered Kola NPP and is now preparing for commissioning PATES (floating nuclear power station) "Akademik Lomonosov". In summer 2019 PATES year plan to deploy off the coast of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, restart Pevek. planned, that the floating nuclear power plant will replace the two large power - Bilibino NPP and Chaun TPP.
PATES "Akademik Lomonosov" - floating nuclear power plant
The statement said:
"Hydrogen can be used to fuel trucks on hydrogen fuel cell, as a coolant in paragraphs autonomous electricity and heat for remote areas ".
As for the heat, released during the combustion of hydrogen with oxygen, it is worth noting that the high temperature combustion mixture (nearly 3000 degrees Celsius) with the release of large amounts of energy (to 24 000 J / G). This property is used in the melting of refractory metals, quartz, etc., to create alloys, cutting and welding metal. When combustion of hydrogen occurs the formation of harmful substances, and only water is formed.
Let alone a hydrogen fuel cell, It was clear to the reader, what is this about. Can you imagine the battery with the "endless" charge, in which the source of energy is not the same components, that make up the battery, and continuously flowing therethrough gases - hydrogen and oxygen. Inside the fuel cell takes place oxidative reaction (2H2 + O2 → 2H2O), and the current source acts as movement of electrons in an ionic medium. The catalyst used here is expensive platinum, but in the near future, scientists plan to replace it with cheaper materials based on nanotechnology.
The fuel cell runs on hydrogen and oxygen
Main applications of hydrogen fuel cells
This is not fantasy. Several years ago, I started the first serial production of the car, Hydrogen. Hybrid car had elektrovodorodny "engine". The energy produced by the oxidizing reaction of hydrogen in an electrochemical generator. Instead of harmful exhaust - water.
Toyota Mirai - stock car, Hydrogen
Meet, Toyota Mirai (which means "the future"). Engine power 154 hp, torque 335 nm. Acceleration time from machine 0 to 100 km / h in just 9 seconds. Refueling with hydrogen takes up 5 minutes. The machine set 2 High pressure in the cylinder capacity 60 and 62,4 l hydrogen. By the way, now virtually every major car manufacturer is developing their own fuel cell. The main obstacle to the development of this trend is the lack of a sufficient number of hydrogen filling stations, but it will come with time.
That's how it looks in reality all over the world.
Operate and mobile hydrogen filling station (Australia)
The Germans even issued a baby kit H2-Sprinter, which is a complete: racing car with hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen refueling (electrolyzer) and the solar module, generating electricity for electrolysis.
Children poured from the tap water in the "filling" station, waited, while the sun do all the work, refueled and drove the car on hydrogen fuel.
Children's play set H2-Sprinter
In America, Hyundai company for advertising offers its clients in the Tucson FCEV hydrogen-fueled free.
Hyundai Tucson FCEV hydrogen
What, again we were late for the "celebration of life"? Where are our development?
You can read about this in more detail here.
Car "Antal"
A series of experimental cars "Antal": It was a domestic project with the participation of domestic research institutes and enterprises (concern "AvtoVAZ", RKK "Energy" et al.). In the development of "Antal-1" on the basis of the VAZ-2131 all the main components, designed, by the way, for the "Buran", placed in the luggage compartment. In addition to hydrogen, located in the car and oxygen cylinders, making it unsafe to operate. Especially next to the oxygen is more and butter, increasing the risk of fire and explosion.
Auto 2131TE Antal-1 fuel cell (Moscow Motor Show 2001.)
Next machine developed on the basis of the VAZ-2111, but the main thing - get rid of the explosion of oxygen cylinders, replacing them with an air compressor. The car has become much easier and has improved its characteristics. Car Mileage to 350 km, maximum speed up to 100 kmh. The total volume of hydrogen cylinders - 90 l. The maximum power of the electric motor - 90 kW.
Auto 2111TE "Antal-2" (Moscow Motor Show, 2003 city)
Likely, Opponents of the project were made by the major oil companies or our worst friends - "Western partners", although formally the financing of these developments in the WHA 2004 year has been terminated due to "difficult financial situation". And when 2005 It was replaced by automobile Guide, the "Antal" project completely turned its activities.
Now we look with envy at the foreign cars with hydrogen fuel cells, when they could get ahead at one time. Other countries have already established electric, boats and even airplanes hydrogen fuel cell. Yes, they overtook us again.
Our president recently spoke of the need for "technological breakthrough" in the development of the country - and so are these technologies! If we shall not introduce, it still does not stop the progressive development of hydrogen technologies around the globe. Still, it is hoped, that we do not only sell their hydrocarbon resources or hydrogen in other countries, and even themselves will be able to fully enjoy the "high-tech" own production.
Victor Cantemirs
