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Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2025) | Viewed by 10786

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Interests: hydrogen storage; hydrogen utilization; combustion

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Interests: gas separation; hydrogen production; hydrogen utilization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a green and widely used source of secondary energy, hydrogen plays a critical role in creating a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system. Currently, the development of hydrogen energy is at an early stage globally, and there is much room for development in all aspects of the industry chain, including production, storage, and utilization. This Special Issue aims to explore the latest research and insights into the advancements, problems, and challenges faced in this field, as well as to discuss the trends in future development to promote the progress of hydrogen energy technology.

Dr. Fanhua Ma
Dr. Shuang Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • hydrogen energy
  • hydrogen production
  • hydrogen storage
  • hydrogen utilization, including fuel cell, hydrogen combustion in power system, etc.
  • hydrogen separation and purification
  • green hydrogen
  • hydrogen electric coupling
  • renewable energy

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 2961 KiB  
Article
Hydrogen Purification Performance of Pressure Swing Adsorption in Coal-Derived Activated Carbon/Zeolite 13X Layered Bed
by Tianqi Yang, Ziyu Yang, Chenglong Li, Liang Tong, Ben Chen, Xuefang Li, Yupeng Yuan, Chengqing Yuan and Jinsheng Xiao
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5505; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105505 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 130
Abstract
The large-scale production of high-purity hydrogen via pressure swing adsorption (PSA) remains a prominent research focus. This study develops a multi-component heat and mass transfer model for a lean hydrogen mixture (N2/CO2/H2/CO = 44.6/35.4/19.9/0.1 mol%) on a [...] Read more.
The large-scale production of high-purity hydrogen via pressure swing adsorption (PSA) remains a prominent research focus. This study develops a multi-component heat and mass transfer model for a lean hydrogen mixture (N2/CO2/H2/CO = 44.6/35.4/19.9/0.1 mol%) on a coal-derived activated carbon (AC)/zeolite 13X layered bed to investigate its breakthrough curve and PSA purification performance. The model is implemented on the Aspen Adsorption platform and validated with published data. Parametric analysis of the breakthrough curve reveals that a high pressure and a low feed flow rate can delay the breakthrough of impurity gases. The simulated variations in pressure, purity, and recovery during the PSA cycle align with the published results. Studies on PSA cycle parameters show that, in general, a high pressure, a low feed flow rate, a short adsorption time, and a high P/F ratio improve purity but reduce recovery. The purity and recovery of the layered bed outperform those of the single-layer bed. Specifically, gradually modifying the AC/zeolite 13X length ratio from 10:0 to 5:5 enhances hydrogen purity, while adjusting it from 10:0 to 3:7 enhances hydrogen recovery. At AC/zeolite 13X = 5:5, the highest purity was 97.38%, while at AC/zeolite 13X = 3:7, the highest recovery was 49.13%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy)
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16 pages, 2661 KiB  
Article
Toward More Efficient Large-Scale Green Hydrogen Systems via Waste Heat Recovery and ORC
by Shayan S. Niknezhad, Forough Moghaddamali and Efstratios Pistikopoulos
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5224; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105224 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 277
Abstract
This research models a 20 MW PEM hydrogen plant. PEM units operate in the 60 to 80 °C range based on their location and size. This study aims to recover the waste heat from PEM modules to enhance the efficiency of the plant. [...] Read more.
This research models a 20 MW PEM hydrogen plant. PEM units operate in the 60 to 80 °C range based on their location and size. This study aims to recover the waste heat from PEM modules to enhance the efficiency of the plant. In order to recover the heat, two systems are implemented: (a) recovering the waste heat from each PEM module; (b) recovering the heat from hot water to produce electricity utilizing an organic refrigerant cycle (ORC). The model is made by ASPEN® V14. After modeling the plant and utilizing the ORC, the module is optimized using Python to maximize the electricity produced by the turbine, therefore enhancing the efficiency. The system is a closed-loop cycle operating at 25 °C and ambient pressure. The 20 MW PEM electrolyzer plant produces 363 kg/hr of hydrogen and 2877 kg/hr of oxygen. Based on the higher heating value of hydrogen, the plant produces 14,302.2 kWh of hydrogen energy equivalents. The ORC is maximized by increasing the electricity output from the turbine and reducing the pump work while maintaining energy conservation and mass balance. The results show that the electricity power output reaches 555.88 kW, and the pump power reaches 23.47 kW. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy)
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33 pages, 6589 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Marine Alternative Fuels for Offshore Supply Vessels
by Chybyung Park, Insik Hwang, Hayoung Jang, Byongug Jeong, Seungman Ha, Joongwon Kim and Jaehoon Jee
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 11196; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311196 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1628
Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels, assessing their feasibility based on operational requirements, availability, safety concerns, and the infrastructure needed for large-scale adoption. Moreover, it examines hybrid and fully electric propulsion [...] Read more.
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels, assessing their feasibility based on operational requirements, availability, safety concerns, and the infrastructure needed for large-scale adoption. Moreover, it examines hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems, considering advancements in battery technology and the integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, to further reduce SOV emissions. Key findings from this research indicate that LNG serves as a viable short- to medium-term solution for reducing GHG emissions in the SOV sector, due to its relatively lower carbon content compared to MDO and HFO. This paper finally insists that while LNG presents an immediate opportunity for emission reduction in the SOV sector, a combination of hydrogen, ammonia, and hybrid propulsion systems will be necessary to meet long-term decarbonisation goals. The findings underscore the importance of coordinated industry efforts, technological innovation, and supportive regulatory frameworks to overcome the technical, economic, and infrastructural challenges associated with decarbonising the maritime industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy)
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14 pages, 3143 KiB  
Article
Sintering Aids Strategies for Improving LSGM and LSF Materials for Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
by Egor Gorgeev, Ekaterina Antonova and Denis Osinkin
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8923; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198923 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1571
Abstract
R&D in the area of high-temperature symmetrical electrochemical devices is needed to meet the challenges of hydrogen energy. In the present study, the effect of Fe2O3 and CuO sintering aids on the electrochemical properties of the highly conductive solid electrolyte [...] Read more.
R&D in the area of high-temperature symmetrical electrochemical devices is needed to meet the challenges of hydrogen energy. In the present study, the effect of Fe2O3 and CuO sintering aids on the electrochemical properties of the highly conductive solid electrolyte La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ and La0.6Sr0.4FeO3−δ electrodes for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells was investigated. It is shown that the use of sintering aids leads to an improvement in grain boundary conductivity and allows us to reduce the sintering temperature to obtain a dense electrolyte with the same level of conductivity. It is shown for the first time that the nature of the sintering aids and the sintering temperature affect the La0.6Sr0.4FeO3−δ electrode activity differently depending on the gas environment (air or hydrogen). On the basis of the analysis of the impedance spectra by the distribution of relaxation times, assumptions were made about the nature of the rate-determining steps of hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction. It is shown that the nature of the rate-determining steps can change depending on the electrode sintering temperature. It was found that among the studied electrodes, La0.6Sr0.4FeO3δ with 3 wt.% Fe2O3 sintered at 1050 °C is optimal in terms of activity in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy)
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18 pages, 3509 KiB  
Article
Analytical Estimation of Hydrogen Storage Capacity in Depleted Gas Reservoirs: A Comprehensive Material Balance Approach
by Deema Albadan, Mojdeh Delshad, Bruno Ramon Batista Fernandes, Esmail Eltahan and Kamy Sepehrnoori
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7087; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167087 - 13 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2225
Abstract
The efficient use of depleted gas reservoirs for hydrogen storage is a promising solution for transitioning to carbon-neutral energy sources. This study proposes an analytical framework for estimating hydrogen storage capacity using a comprehensive material balance approach in depleted gas reservoirs. The methodology [...] Read more.
The efficient use of depleted gas reservoirs for hydrogen storage is a promising solution for transitioning to carbon-neutral energy sources. This study proposes an analytical framework for estimating hydrogen storage capacity using a comprehensive material balance approach in depleted gas reservoirs. The methodology integrates basic reservoir engineering principles with thermodynamic considerations to accurately estimate hydrogen storage capacity in both volumetric drive and water drive gas reservoirs through an iterative approach based on mass conservation and the real gas law. This framework is implemented in a Python program, using the CoolProp library for phase behavior modeling with the Soave–Redlich–Kwong (SRK) equation of state. The methodology is validated with numerical simulations of a tank model representing the two reservoir drive mechanisms discussed. Also, a case study of a synthetic complex reservoir demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach to real-world scenarios. The findings suggest that precise modeling of fluid behavior is crucial for reliable capacity estimations. The proposed analytical framework achieves an impressive accuracy, with deviations of less than 1% compared to estimates obtained through numerical simulations. Insights derived from this study can significantly contribute to the assessment of strategic decisions for utilizing depleted gas reservoirs for hydrogen storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy)
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32 pages, 4631 KiB  
Article
Solar–Hydrogen Storage System: Architecture and Integration Design of University Energy Management Systems
by Salaki Reynaldo Joshua, An Na Yeon, Sanguk Park and Kihyeon Kwon
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4376; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114376 - 22 May 2024
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2450
Abstract
As a case study on sustainable energy use in educational institutions, this study examines the design and integration of a solar–hydrogen storage system within the energy management framework of Kangwon National University’s Samcheok Campus. This paper provides an extensive analysis of the architecture [...] Read more.
As a case study on sustainable energy use in educational institutions, this study examines the design and integration of a solar–hydrogen storage system within the energy management framework of Kangwon National University’s Samcheok Campus. This paper provides an extensive analysis of the architecture and integrated design of such a system, which is necessary given the increasing focus on renewable energy sources and the requirement for effective energy management. This study starts with a survey of the literature on hydrogen storage techniques, solar energy storage technologies, and current university energy management systems. In order to pinpoint areas in need of improvement and chances for progress, it also looks at earlier research on solar–hydrogen storage systems. This study’s methodology describes the system architecture, which includes fuel cell integration, electrolysis for hydrogen production, solar energy harvesting, hydrogen storage, and an energy management system customized for the needs of the university. This research explores the energy consumption characteristics of the Samcheok Campus of Kangwon National University and provides recommendations for the scalability and scale of the suggested system by designing three architecture systems of microgrids with EMS Optimization for solar–hydrogen, hybrid solar–hydrogen, and energy storage. To guarantee effective and safe functioning, control strategies and safety considerations are also covered. Prototype creation, testing, and validation are all part of the implementation process, which ends with a thorough case study of the solar–hydrogen storage system’s integration into the university’s energy grid. The effectiveness of the system, its effect on campus energy consumption patterns, its financial sustainability, and comparisons with conventional energy management systems are all assessed in the findings and discussion section. Problems that arise during implementation are addressed along with suggested fixes, and directions for further research—such as scalability issues and technology developments—are indicated. This study sheds important light on the viability and efficiency of solar–hydrogen storage systems in academic environments, particularly with regard to accomplishing sustainable energy objectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy)
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Review

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20 pages, 2141 KiB  
Review
Hydrogen Materials and Technologies in the Aspect of Utilization in the Polish Energy Sector
by Krystyna Giza, Edyta Owczarek, Joanna Piotrowska-Woroniak and Grzegorz Woroniak
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 10024; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142110024 - 2 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1743
Abstract
Currently, modern hydrogen technologies, due to their low or zero emissions, constitute one of the key elements of energy transformation and sustainable development. The growing interest in hydrogen is driven by the European climate policy aimed at limiting the use of fossil fuels [...] Read more.
Currently, modern hydrogen technologies, due to their low or zero emissions, constitute one of the key elements of energy transformation and sustainable development. The growing interest in hydrogen is driven by the European climate policy aimed at limiting the use of fossil fuels for energy purposes. Although not all opinions regarding the technical and economic potential of hydrogen energy are positive, many prepared forecasts and analyses show its prospective importance in several areas of the economy. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of modern materials, current hydrogen technologies and strategies, and show the opportunities, problems, and challenges Poland faces in the context of necessary energy transformation. The work describes the latest trends in the production, transportation, storage, and use of hydrogen. The environmental, social, and economic aspects of the use of green hydrogen were discussed in addition to the challenges and expectations for the future in the field of hydrogen technologies. The main goals of the development of the hydrogen economy in Poland and the directions of actions necessary to achieve them were also presented. It was found that the existence of the EU CO2 emissions allowance trading system has a significant impact on the costs of hydrogen production. Furthermore, the production of green hydrogen will become economically justified as the costs of energy obtained from renewable sources decrease and the costs of electrolysers decline. However, the realisation of this vision depends on the progress of scientific research and technical innovations that will reduce the costs of hydrogen production. Government support mechanisms for the development of hydrogen infrastructure and technologies will also be of key importance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Storage and Utilization of Hydrogen Energy)
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