Contemporary avenues of the Hydrogen industry: Opportunities and challenges in the eco-friendly approach

Hydrogen (H2) is a possible energy transporter and feedstock for energy decarbonization, transportation, and chemical sectors while reducing global warming's consequences. The predominant commercial method for producing H2 today is steam methane reforming (SMR). However, there is still room for development in process intensification, energy optimization, and environmental concerns related to CO2 emissions. Reactors using metallic membranes (MRs) can handle both problems. Compared to traditional reactors, MRs operates at substantially lower pressures and temperatures. As a result, capital and operational costs may be significantly cheaper than traditional reactors. Furthermore, metallic membranes (MMs), particularly Pd and its alloys, naturally permit only H2 permeability, enabling the production of a stream with a purity of up to 99.999%. This review describes several methods for H2 production based on the energy sources utilized. SRM with CO2 capture and storage (CCUS), pyrolysis of methane, and water electrolysis are all investigated as process technologies. A debate based on a color code was also created to classify the purity of H2 generation. Although producing H2 using fossil fuels is presently the least expensive method, green H2 generation has the potential to become an affordable alternative in the future. From 2030 onward, green H2 is anticipated to be less costly than blue hydrogen. Green H2 is more expensive than fossil-based H2 since it uses more energy. Blue H2 has several tempting qualities, but the CCUS technology is pricey, and blue H2 contains carbon. At this time, almost 80-95% of CO2 can be stored and captured by the CCUS technology. Nanomaterials are becoming more significant in solving problems with H2 generation and storage. Sustainable nanoparticles, such as photocatalysts and bioderived particles, have been emphasized for H2 synthesis. New directions in H2 synthesis and nanomaterials for H2 storage have also been discussed. Further, an overview of the H2 value chain is provided at the end, emphasizing the financial implications and outlook for 2050, i.e., carbon-free H2 and zero-emission H2.

Automated summary

Hydrogen (H2) is a potential energy carrier and feedstock for decarbonization, transportation, and chemical sectors, with the potential to reduce the effects of global warming. The current leading method for H2 production is steam methane reforming (SMR), although there is still room for improvement in terms of process intensification, energy optimization, and environmental concerns. Reactors using metallic membranes (MRs) can address these issues by operating at lower pressures and temperatures, resulting in potentially lower costs. Furthermore, metallic membranes, particularly Pd and its alloys, enable the production of highly pure H2 streams. This article discusses various methods of H2 production based on different energy sources, such as SMR with CO2 capture and storage (CCUS), methane pyrolysis, and water electrolysis. The importance of green H2 generation as a future affordable alternative and the role of nanomaterials in H2 synthesis and storage are also highlighted.