Poof! When 20 tons of hydrogen vanishes into thin air, surprise is the order of the day. However, this time, it was because it had been silently and rather safely transferred with the use of a novel liquid-based technology. With a system known as the Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC), the entire energy infrastructure could change drastically. We are noticing advances in terms of how hydrogen can be stored and moved. The movement of hydrogen (one of the most valuable clean energy sources) requires much attention. Thus far, the storage and movement of hydrogen has always been its Achilles heel, but perhaps this setback has been overcome.
Understanding teleportation and the science behind it
As per a successful test carried out in the United Kingdom by Honeywell Technology and its European partner, Exolum, the idea of the disappearance of hydrogen originated. With this test, the companies collectively managed to transport and preserve 20 tons of hydrogen.
With the use of LOHC, the illusion which was created was that the hydrogen simply vanished, leaving behind no trace. However, LOHC does not cause hydrogen to vanish but rather to be chemically bonded into a liquid compound that can be transported and released again upon arrival at its desired destination.
The technology makes use of a reversible chemical reaction with hydrogenation and dehydrogenation at the forefront. To put it more easily, hydrogen gets added to a carrier liquid such as toluene, which, when amalgamated, forms methylcyclohexane (MCH). Such an exothermic reaction makes it possible for hydrogen to be sealed into a stable, liquid state. When hydrogen arrives at its destination, an endothermic reaction is relied on to absorb the same amount of energy that it had released earlier.
Such a method enables hydrogen to be stored and transported effortlessly at room temperature and standard pressure. Initially processing hydrogen required hydrogen to get liquefied at -253°C or to be combined with ammonia was logistically a challenge and financially burdensome.
Moving hydrogen globally: A new solution for hydrogen transport
There’s no need to turn hydrogen black anymore, since a collaboration between Japan’s Eneas and U.S.-based Honeywell has led to the creation of a global supply chain of hydrogen using LOHC. Hydrogen can be safely moved via standard infrastructure, including that of trucks, trains, cargo ships, and pipelines. There is no longer a need for more expensive specialized tanks and cryogenic systems.
Could all the barriers to transporting hydrogen globally cease to exist? Well, the real-world application is being scaled up. It has been found that Honeywell’s LOHC infrastructure in the Immingham Port in the UK can handle about 400 cubic meters of carrier liquid, which is approximately 20 tons of hydrogen.
With the LOHC method, hydrogen gets contained in a liquid that behaves similarly to gasoline, allowing hydrogen’s integration into existing infrastructure.
A taste of the future of cleaner energy with hydrogen fuel
While hydrogen is known as the fuel of the future, the problem with making the most of hydrogen has always been linked to storage and transportation. LOHC has fully eliminated these setbacks and hurdles. The clever use of chemistry principles has somewhat ended this logistical nightmare.
Honeywell CEO Ken West is of the opinion that LOHC systems will not only offer a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to hydrogen storage, but a way to strengthen international energy cooperation as well.
Now we have to note that LOHC could very well be the invisible highway to move us all towards a cleaner energy future by silently and safely powering up a global green revolution. LOHC, along with the $1 billion hydrogen highway, proves that everyone worldwide seems to be driven by their plans for a zero-emission future.
