Kazakhstan
Generation of Hydrogen and Oxygen from Water by Solar Energy Conversion
Dec 2021
Publication
Photosynthesis is considered to be one of the promising areas of cheap and environmentally friendly energy. Photosynthesis involves the process of water oxidation with the formation of molecular oxygen and hydrogen as byproducts. The aim of the present article is to review the energy (light) phase of photosynthesis based on the published X-ray studies of photosystems I and II (PS-I and PS-II). Using modern ideas about semiconductors and biological semiconductor structures the mechanisms of H+ O2↑ e− generation from water are described. At the initial stage PS II produces hydrogen peroxide from water as a result of the photoenzymatic reaction which is oxidized in the active center of PS-II on the Mn4CaO5 cluster to form O2↑ H+ e−. Mn4+ is reduced to Mn2+ and then oxidized to Mn4+ with the transfer of reducing the equivalents of PS-I. The electrons formed are transported to PS-I (P 700) where the electrochemical reaction of water decomposition takes place in a two-electrode electrolysis system with the formation of gaseous oxygen and hydrogen. The proposed functioning mechanisms of PS-I and PS-II can be used in the development of environmentally friendly technologies for the production of molecular hydrogen.
Hydrogen Embrittlement in Pipelines Transporting Sour Hydrocarbons
Sep 2017
Publication
Lamination-like defects in pipeline steels can be of both metallurgical and operational origin. In pipelines transporting hydrocarbon usually such defects are not a big challenge since they do not propagate under operating conditions. Nonetheless in presence of a corrosion phenomenon and sour gas (H2S) it is possible to observe blisters and cracks which may propagate in the steel. The observed damage mechanisms is Hydrogen Embrittlement and in spite of a huge amount of study and publications available it is quite difficult for a pipeline owner to get practical data (crack propagation rate for instance) allowing a reliable estimate of the fitness for service of a pipeline. Taking advantage of a pipeline spool containing internal defects that was in service for more than 10 years and recently removed a comprehensive study is underway to obtain a complete assessment of the pipeline future integrity. The program is comprehensive of study and comparison of ILI reports of the pipeline to determine the optimum interval between inspections assessment of inspection results via an accurate nondestructive (UT) and destructive examination of the removed section to verify ILI results lab tests program on specimens from the removed spool at operating conditions (75-80 bar and 30°-36° C) in presence of a small quantity of water H2S (5%) and CO2 (7%) in order to assess defect propagation and to obtain an estimate of crack growth rate and test in field of available methods to monitor the presence of Hydrogen and/or the growth of defects in in-service pipelines. This quite ambitious program is also expected to be able of offering a small contribution toward a better understanding of HE mechanisms and the engineering application of such complex often mainly academic studies.
Ranking Locations for Hydrogen Production Using Hybrid Wind-Solar: A Case Study
Apr 2021
Publication
Observing the growing energy demand of modern societies many countries have recognized energy security as a looming problem and renewable energies as a solution to this issue. Renewable hydrogen production is an excellent method for the storage and transfer of energy generated by intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar so that they can be used at a place and time of our choosing. In this study the suitability of 15 cities in Fars province Iran for renewable hydrogen production was investigated and compared by the use of multiple multi-criteria decision-making methods including ARAS SAW CODAS and TOPSIS. The obtained rankings were aggregated by rank averaging Borda method and Copeland method. Finally the partially ordered set ranking technique was used to reach a general consensus about the ranking. The criteria that affect hydrogen production were found to be solar energy potential wind energy potential population air temperature natural disasters altitude relative humidity land cost skilled labor infrastructure topographic condition and distance from main roads. These criteria were weighted using the best–worst method (BWM) based on the data collected by a questionnaire. Solar energy potential was estimated using the Angstrom model. Wind energy potential was estimated by using the Weibull distribution function for each month independently. The results of the multi-criteria decision-making methods showed Izadkhast to be the most suitable location for renewable hydrogen production in the studied area.
Resource Assessment for Green Hydrogen Production in Kazakhstan
Jan 2023
Publication
Kazakhstan has long been regarded as a major exporter of fossil fuel energy. As the global energy sector is undergoing an unprecedented transition to low-carbon solutions new emerging energy technologies such as hydrogen production require more different resource bases than present energy technologies. Kazakhstan needs to consider whether it has enough resources to stay competitive in energy markets undergoing an energy transition. Green hydrogen can be made from water electrolysis powered by low-carbon electricity sources such as wind turbines and solar panels. We provided the first resource assessment for green hydrogen production in Kazakhstan by focusing on three essential resources: water renewable electricity and critical raw materials. Our estimations showed that with the current plan of Kazakhstan to keep its water budget constant in the future producing 2–10 Mt green hydrogen would require reducing the water use of industry in Kazakhstan by 0.6–3% or 0.036–0.18 km3/year. This could be implemented by increasing the share of renewables in electricity generation and phasing out some of the water- and carbon-intensive industries. Renewable electricity potential in South and West Kazakhstan is sufficient to run electrolyzers up to 5700 and 1600 h/year for wind turbines and solar panels respectively. In our base case scenario 5 Mt green hydrogen production would require 50 GW solar and 67 GW wind capacity considering Kazakhstan's wind and solar capacity factors. This could convert into 28652 tons of nickel 15832 tons of titanium and many other critical raw materials. Although our estimations for critical raw materials were based on limited geological data Kazakhstan has access to the most critical raw materials to support original equipment manufacturers of low-carbon technologies in Kazakhstan and other countries. As new geologic exploration kicks off in Kazakhstan it is expected that more deposits of critical raw materials will be discovered to respond to their potential future needs for green hydrogen production.
Increasing Technical Efficiency of Renewable Energy Sources in Power Systems
Mar 2023
Publication
This paper presents a method for refining the forecast schedule of renewable energy sources (RES) generation by its intraday adjustment and investigates the measures for reserving RES with unstable generation in electric power systems (EPSs). Owing to the dependence of electricity generation by solar and wind power plants (PV and WPPs respectively) on natural conditions problems arise with their contribution to the process of balancing the power system. Therefore the EPS is obliged to keep a power reserve to compensate for deviations in RES from the planned generation amount. A system-wide reserve (mainly the shunting capacity of thermal and hydroelectric power plants) is used first followed by other means of power reserve: electrochemical hydrogen or biogas plants. To analyze the technical and economic efficiency of certain backup means mathematical models based on the theory of similarity and the criterion method were developed. This method is preferred because it provides the ability to compare different methods of backing up RES generation with each other assess their proportionality and determine the sensitivity of costs to the capacity of backup methods with minimal available initial information. Criterion models have been formed that allow us to build dependencies of the costs of backup means for unstable RES generation on the capacity of the backup means. It is shown that according to the results of the analysis of various methods and means of RES backup hydrogen technologies are relatively the most effective. The results of the analysis in relative units can be clarified if the current and near-term price indicators are known.
A Mini-review on Recent Trends in Prospective Use of Porous 1D Nanomaterials for Hydrogen Storage
Nov 2021
Publication
The sustainable development of hydrogen energy is a priority task for a possible solution to 26 the global energy crisis. Hydrogen is a clean and renewable energy source that today is used 27 exclusively in the form of compressed gas or in liquefied form which prevents its widespread 28 use. Storing hydrogen in solid-state systems will not only increase the bulk density and 29 gravimetric capacity but will also have a positive impact on safety issues. From this point of 30 view the current review considers the latest research in the field of application of 1D 31 nanomaterials for solid-state hydrogen storage and also discusses the mechanisms of its 32 adsorption and desorption. Despite the high publication activity the use of 1D nanomaterials for 33 hydrogen storage has not been fully studied. In the current review modern developments in the 34 field of hydrogen storage using 1D nanomaterials and composites based on them are investigated 35 in detail and their problems and future prospects are discussed.
Solar-Powered Water Electrolysis Using Hybrid Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) for Green Hydrogen—A Review
Nov 2023
Publication
The depletion of fossil fuels in the current world has been a major concern due to their role as a primary source of energy for many countries. As non-renewable sources continue to deplete there is a need for more research and initiatives to reduce reliance on these sources and explore better alternatives such as renewable energy. Hydrogen is one of the most intriguing energy sources for producing power from fuel cells and heat engines without releasing carbon dioxide or other pollutants. The production of hydrogen via the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as solar energy is one of the possible uses for solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). SOECs can be classified as either oxygen-ion conducting or proton-conducting depending on the electrolyte materials used. This article aims to highlight broad and important aspects of the hybrid SOEC-based solar hydrogen-generating technology which utilizes a mixed-ion conductor capable of transporting both oxygen ions and protons simultaneously. In addition to providing useful information on the technological efficiency of hydrogen production in SOEC this review aims to make hydrogen production more efficient than any other water electrolysis system.
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