What does LOHC?
Green hydrogen – hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources – is expected to be an important element of the carbon-neutral economy of the future. Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technologies offer an efficient alternative solution by chemically bonding hydrogen to a stable organic liquid carrier, thereby eliminating the need for compression and making it safer, more practical and cost-effective to transport hydrogen with existing conventional fuel networks. LOHCs absorb and release hydrogen through chemical reactions. When the hydrogen is absorbed into the liquid organic carrier, a hydrogenation catalyst is used. This liquid material is then stored and delivered to fueling stations by regular means of transport at ambient temperature and pressure, making it safer and more cost-effective. FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) can then be fuelled directly and quickly with hydrogen-rich LOHCs. The hydrogen is then released on board using a dehydrogenation catalyst. Thanks to LOHC, FCEVs can be refueled as easily as today's conventional vehicles. LOHC technology can be of great benefit by using and building on existing petrol and diesel fueling infrastructure. It also enables the transport of hydrogen at a high storage density.
How an FCEV works
The FCEV uses hydrogen gas as fuel, stored under pressure in a compact, strong, yet lightweight tank. At the heart of the FCEV is the fuel cell system, which includes the fuel cell stack. A fuel cell stack is a layered arrangement of many individual fuel cells. Hydrogen and ambient air (containing oxygen) are fed to the anode (negative) and cathode (positive). At the anode, the hydrogen molecules release electrons, which, reaching the cathode, create an electric current. The hydrogen ions produced during the release of electrons reach the cathode in a different way, where they combine with oxygen and form water with the released electrons. In an FCEV, the energy produced by the fuel cell stack is used to drive the FCEV's electric motor, with additional energy provided by a hybrid battery when needed. This battery is also used to store additional short-term energy produced in FCEVs equipped with regenerative braking.
#Vlaszák Lajos