Hydrogen in the built environment

[EPullin]

Some of you may be aware, but the Mayor of London (England) wants to encourage possibility of a hydrogen economy. As a building services engineer this will mean that the primary form of heating, natural gas, will be superseded with pure hydrogen gas.

In an attempt to cover as many bases as possible and putting to one side the effect on the wider infrastructure, what implications will this have on the specification of distribution pipework, appliances and safety measures within a commercial or domestic building?

 

[GMcD]

In my opinion, there will not ever be direct hydrogen piping infrastructure extended into buildings. The specilaized materials and transport/pumping requirements make it a no-go technically. First of all, the myth of these hydrogen highways is pretty soundly defeated by many engineers in terms of the energy required to create and transport hydrogen vs the energy output from it, at least until we find a cost effective way to produce the hydrogen. Even then, hydrogen would likely replace the fuels currently used at thermal generating plants, and basic electricity will still be the fundamental energy source for domestic consumption.

I'd like to ask whatever became of cost-effective fusion generators? I was re-reading some stuff from the '70's and '80's where many astute folks were predicting cheap fusion power by the turn of the century. Sounds like the same prediction we are seeing for hydrogen. Just substitute "hydrogen" for "fusion", and all the stuff from back then sounds remarkably the same.

 

[pennpoint]

EPullin
The leak rate through all the poor joints will overcome the cost effective methode to produce the stuff.

It's more bah-bah from big eyed politicos with no sight.

My view




Best regards
pennpoint

 

[tombmech]

Tell the Mayor he will need to budget for more Cold Fusion generators.

 

[stanlsimon]

Norsk Hydro has an electrolyzer system that produces hydrogen from wind generators. The hydrogen is fed into generators that produce electricity and heat. The system is used on at least one remote island in Norway.

So if you could mount many huge wind generators on top the buildings of London you could supply the city with electricity and heat.

Unfortunately, Prince Charles (and many others) would not approve of the appearance.

How about doing like Brazil and building a new capital someplace else?

An ethanol economy seem more feasible.