Tomorrow's Energy : Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and the Prospects for a Cleaner Planet

Hydrogen is the quintessential eco-fuel. This invisible, tasteless gas is the most abundant element in the universe. It is the basic building block and fuel of stars and an essential raw material in innumerable biological and chemical processes. As a completely nonpolluting fuel, it may hold the answer to growing environmental concerns about atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and the resultant Greenhouse Effect. In this book Peter Hoffmann describes current research toward a hydrogen-based economy. He presents the history of hydrogen energy and discusses the environmental dangers of continued dependence on fossil fuels. Hydrogen is not an energy source but a carrier that, like electricity, must be manufactured. Today hydrogen is manufactured by "decarbonizing" fossil fuels. In the future it will be derived from water and solar energy and perhaps from "cleaner" versions of nuclear energy. Because it can be made by a variety of methods, Hoffmann argues, it can be easily adapted by different countries and economies. Hoffmann acknowledges the social, political, and economic difficulties in replacing current energy systems with an entirely new one. Although the process of converting to a hydrogen-based economy would be complex, he demonstrates that the environmental and health benefits would far outweigh the costs. In This Book Peter Hoffmann Describes Current Research Toward A Hydrogen-based Economy. He Presents The History Of Hydrogen Energy And Discusses The Environmental Dangers Of Continued Dependence On Fossil Fuels. Hydrogen Is Not An Energy Source But A Carrier That, Like Electricity, Must Be Manufactured. Today Hydrogen Is Manufactured By Decarbonizing Fossil Fuels. In The Future It Will Be Derived From Water And Solar Energy And Perhaps From Cleaner Versions Of Nuclear Energy. Because It Can Be Made By A Variety Of Methods, Hoffmann Argues, It Can Be Easily Adapted By Different Countries And Economies. Hoffmann Acknowledges The Social, Political, And Economic Difficulties In Replacing Current Energy Systems With An Entirely New One. Although The Process Of Converting To A Hydrogen-based Economy Would Be Complex, He Demonstrates That The Environmental And Health Benefits Would Far Outweigh The Costs. Why Hydrogen? Buckminster Fuller, Sheikh Yamani, And Bill Clinton -- Hydrogen's Discovery : Phlogiston And Inflammable Air -- A History Of Hydrogen Energy : The Reverend Cecil, Jules Verne, And The Redoubtable Mr. Erren -- Producing Hydrogen From Water, Natural Gas, And Green Plants -- Primary Energy : Using Solar And Other Power To Make Hydrogen -- Hydrogen For Cars And Buses : Steaming Tailpipes -- Fuel Cells : Mr. Grove's Lovely Technology -- Hydrogen In Aerospace : Clean Contrails And The Orient Express -- Hydrogen As Utility Gas : The Invisible Flame -- Non-energy Uses Of Hydrogen : Metallic H2, Biodegradable Plastics, And H2 Tofu -- Safety : The Hindenburg Syndrome ; Or, Don't Paint Your Dirigible With Rocket Fuel -- The Next 100 Years. Peter Hoffmann. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [265]-281) And Index. How hydrogen—nonpolluting and easy to produce—could become the fuel of the future.Hydrogen is the quintessential eco-fuel. This invisible, tasteless gas is the most abundant element in the universe. It is the basic building block and fuel of stars and an essential raw material in innumerable biological and chemical processes. As a completely nonpolluting fuel, it may hold the answer to growing environmental concerns about atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and the resultant Greenhouse Effect. In this book Peter Hoffmann describes current research toward a hydrogen-based economy. He presents the history of hydrogen energy and discusses the environmental dangers of continued dependence on fossil fuels. Hydrogen is not an energy source but a carrier that, like electricity, must be manufactured. Today hydrogen is manufactured by'decarbonizing'fossil fuels. In the future it will be derived from water and solar energy and perhaps from'cleaner'versions of nuclear energy. Because it can be made by a variety of methods, Hoffmann argues, it can be easily adapted by different countries and economies. Hoffmann acknowledges the social, political, and economic difficulties in replacing current energy systems with an entirely new one. Although the process of converting to a hydrogen-based economy would be complex, he demonstrates that the environmental and health benefits would far outweigh the costs.

How hydrogen—nonpolluting and easy to produce—could become the fuel of the future.

Library Journal

Editor of The Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter and author of The Forever Fuel: The Story of Hydrogen, Hoffmann chronicles the worldwide progression of hydrogen energy from a niche market to a viable commercial product. Arguing that fossil fuels will not be cheap to find in the future and that renewables are becoming less expensive, he advocates the use of hydrogen as a nonpolluting form of energy for fuel cells and as an energy storage medium. Hoffmann thoroughly details the history of hydrogen projects worldwide from experimental fuel cell vehicles produced by the major auto makers to research into the use of hydrogen as airplane fuel, the application of hydrogen in utilities in Germany and China, and a few experimental hydrogen-powered houses in the United States. Hoffmann frankly explains the pros and cons of the hydrogen debate, including safety issues, economics, and the difficulty in moving our national energy policy away from fossil fuels. Because there are so few books on this energy source, academic and public libraries that have a strong interest in alternative energy materials will want to purchase for informed readers. Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Foreword......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 1. Why Hydrogen? Buckminster Fuller, Sheikh Yamani, and Bill Clinton......Page 11 2. Hydrogen’s Discovery: Phlogiston and Inflammable Air......Page 28 3. A History of Hydrogen Energy: The Reverend Cecil, Jules Verne, and the Redoubtable Mr. Erren......Page 35 4. Producing Hydrogen from Water, Natural Gas, and Green Plants......Page 60 5. Primary Energy: Using Solar and Other Power to Make Hydrogen......Page 86 6. Hydrogen for Cars and Buses: Steaming Tailpipes......Page 105 7. Fuel Cells: Mr. Grove’s Lovely Technology......Page 160 8. Hydrogen in Aerospace: Clean Contrails and the Orient Express......Page 180 9. Hydrogen as Utility Gas: The Invisible Flame......Page 205 10. Non-Energy Uses of Hydrogen: Metallic H2, Biodegradable Plastics, and H2 Tofu......Page 229 11. Safety: The Hindenburg Syndrome, or “Don’t Paint Your Dirigible with Rocket Fuel”......Page 251 12. The Next 100 Years......Page 265 Notes......Page 283 Index......Page 300 The author of Forever Fuel: The Story of Hydrogen traces the evolution of hydrogen fuel cells, a technology touted by some as the answer to the world's current energy problems. There are two prime sources of energy to be harnessed and expended to do work.