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Chapter 6: Problem 22

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Hydrogen fuel has several advantages, such as its abundance, clean emissions, and efficiency. These attributes make it an eco-friendly and effective energy source. However, disadvantages include energy-intensive production processes, complex storage and distribution, and high costs, which hinder its widespread adoption.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen is an alternative fuel source that has gained considerable attention in recent years. It is considered a clean energy option, as it produces water as its only byproduct, making it an environmentally friendly choice. In this exercise, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen as a fuel source.
02

Advantage 1: Abundance of Hydrogen

One significant advantage of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source is its abundance. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. Although hydrogen is not freely available in nature, it can be extracted from water molecules (H₂O) and hydrocarbon fuels (like natural gas). This means that hydrogen fuel has the potential to be virtually inexhaustible.
03

Advantage 2: Clean Emission

Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water vapor and heat as byproducts, making hydrogen an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. This clean emission is a primary advantage of using hydrogen. By reducing air pollution, hydrogen fuel can lead to improved air quality and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
04

Advantage 3: Efficiency

Hydrogen fuel cells are generally more efficient than internal combustion engines, allowing for more effective energy production per unit of fuel. This efficiency could lead to a decrease in energy consumption, further reducing the environmental impact and making hydrogen fuel a more economically viable option.
05

Disadvantage 1: Production and Extraction

One notable disadvantage of hydrogen fuel is that its production and extraction processes require significant amounts of energy. Currently, the primary production methods, such as steam reforming and electrolysis, often rely on fossil fuels. This causes an increase in carbon emissions and undermines the environmental advantages of using hydrogen as a fuel source.
06

Disadvantage 2: Storage and Distribution

Storing and distributing hydrogen is much more complex and challenging than traditional fossil fuels. Hydrogen has a low energy density, requiring storage in high-pressure tanks or extremely low temperatures. Additionally, the hydrogen fuel infrastructure is limited, which complicates widespread adoption of this alternative fuel.
07

Disadvantage 3: Cost

Hydrogen fuel production and storage are still relatively expensive compared to conventional fuels. This higher cost can deter consumers and limit the expansion of hydrogen fuel as a popular alternative. While technological advancements and economies of scale might help decrease costs over time, they remain a key disadvantage in the present. In conclusion, hydrogen fuel offers several advantages, including abundance, clean emissions, and efficiency, making it an attractive alternative to conventional fossil fuels. However, the challenges of production, storage, distribution, and cost continue to pose significant obstacles to widespread adoption.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Assuming gasoline is pure \(\mathrm{C}_{8} \mathrm{H}_{1 \mathrm{~s}}(l)\), predict the signs of \(q\) and \(w\) for the process of combusting gasoline into \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{g}) .\)

Consider the following reaction: $$ 2 \mathrm{H}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{~g}) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \quad \Delta H=-572 \mathrm{~kJ} $$ a. How much heat is evolved for the production of \(1.00 \mathrm{~mol}\) \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) ?\) b. How much heat is evolved when \(4.03 \mathrm{~g}\) hydrogen is reacted with excess oxygen? c. How much heat is evolved when \(186 \mathrm{~g}\) oxygen is reacted with excess hydrogen? d. The total volume of hydrogen gas needed to fill the Hindenburg was \(2.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~L}\) at \(1.0 \mathrm{~atm}\) and \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). How much heat was evolved when the Hindenburg exploded, assuming all of the hydrogen reacted?

The preparation of \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)\) from \(\mathrm{N}_{2}(g)\) and \(\mathrm{O}_{2}(g)\) is an endothermic reaction: $$ \mathrm{N}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g) \text { (unbalanced) } $$ The enthalpy change of reaction for the balanced equation (with lowest whole- number coefficients) is \(\Delta H=67.7 \mathrm{~kJ}\). If \(2.50 \times\) \(10^{2} \mathrm{~mL} \mathrm{~N}_{2}(g)\) at \(100 .{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(3.50\) atm and \(4.50 \times 10^{2} \mathrm{~mL} \mathrm{O}_{2}(g)\) at \(100 .{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(3.50 \mathrm{~atm}\) are mixed, what amount of heat is necessary to synthesize the maximum yield of \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)\) ?

On Easter Sunday, April 3, 1983 , nitric acid spilled from a tank car near downtown Denver, Colorado. The spill was neutralized with sodium carbonate: \(2 \mathrm{HNO}_{3}(a q)+\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}(s) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) a. Calculate \(\Delta H^{\circ}\) for this reaction. Approximately \(2.0 \times 10^{4}\) gal nitric acid was spilled. Assume that the acid was an aqueous solution containing \(70.0 \% \mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) by mass with a density of \(1.42 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}\). What mass of sodium carbonate was required for complete neutralization of the spill, and what quantity of heat was evolved? \(\left(\Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}\right.\) for \(\mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(a q)=-467 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) ) b. According to The Denver Post for April 4, 1983 , authorities feared that dangerous air pollution might occur during the neutralization. Considering the magnitude of \(\Delta H^{\circ}\), what was their major concern?

Are the following processes exothermic or endothermic? a. the combustion of gasoline in a car engine b. water condensing on a cold pipe c. \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) d. \(\mathrm{F}_{2}(\mathrm{~g}) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{~F}(\mathrm{~g})\)
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