Hydrogen energy in Indian context and R&D efforts at Banaras Hindu University

Abstract

This paper describes Hydrogen energy in India and R&D efforts at Banaras Hindu University. All the three important ingredients i.e. production, storage and application of hydrogen have been dealt with. As regards hydrogen production, we have described and discussed the solar route consisting of photoelectrochemical electrolysis of water. Nanostructured TiO2 films have been synthesized through hydrolysis of Ti[OCH(CH3)2]4. This has been used as photoanode. Modular designs of TiO2 photoelectrode based PEC cells have been fabricated to get high rate of hydrogen production (∼10.35 Lh-1m-2). Regarding storage which appears to be most crucial issue at present, we have discussed the intermetallic as well as complex hydride systems. For intermetallic we have dealt with materials tailoring of LaNi5 through Fe substituion. The La(Ni1-xFex)5 (x=0.16) has been found to yield to high storage capacity of ∼2.40wt%. We have also described and discussed the hydrogen storage in carbon nanofibres. Here storage capacity in excess of ∼10wt% has been obtained. We have shown that CNT admixing in NaAlH4 helps to circumvent the low desorption rate of hydrogen in NaAlH4. For 8 mol % CNT admixing, we have found the desorption rate to increase from ∼3.3 in more than 50 hrs to within 2 hrs. Relating to applications, we have focused on use of hydrogen (stored in intermetallic La-Ni-Fe system) as fuel for IC engine based vehicular transport particularly 2 and 3-wheelers (and small car). The 2 and 3-wheeler have nearly the same performance as the petrol fueled vehicles. At present we have vehicle range of ∼60-80 kms for 2-wheelers and ∼60 kms for 3-wheelers (at top speed of ∼50 kms/hr). Commercialization efforts on hydrogen fueled vehicular transport is being done by BHU:HEC with the help of Indian auto industries. © 2007 Taylor & Francis.