Page 45 - Tcexpression2021 - Sept to Dec 2020

Hydrogen Distribution eliminating transport cost.

Typically, the following options are available for For Hydrogen as transportation fuel, it is necessary to
transportation, ensuring availability at the user point. have a countrywide distribution network. The water
electrolysis method is most suitable for onsite hydrogen
Gas tankers/trailers generation for remote areas as it is more scalable and
emission-free. Electrolyser produces a sufficiently high
Liquified tankers/trailers purity (nearly 100%) Hydrogen required for hydrogen-

based vehicles. It could be cheaper to produce
Hydrogen pipelines
Hydrogen locally in refuelling stations far away from
Onsite production central hydrogen production facilities. However, there
may be space constraints in the urban area for onsite
Gaseous Hydrogen can be transported in medium hydrogen production.
quantities in pressurised gas containers by road tankers.
The hydrogen storage capacity of road tankers depends Various issues for hydrogen transportation and
on storage pressure and materials of construction of associated challenges are presented in Table 2 below.
road tanker. Compressed Hydrogen is generally shipped
in road tankers at pressures up to 200-250 bars. In India, Transportation Issues Challenges
gaseous Hydrogen is transported using road tankers Mode
having pressures up to 172 bar.
Pressurised Manufacturing of
Liquefaction of hydrogen results in a significant Container or Low capacity indigenous onboard
increase in its energy density enabling transportation Cylinders cylinders, reduction
of large quantities using road tankers or ships. Due to in material weight
the density difference in the gaseous and liquid phase, Development
liquid hydrogen road trucks can carry approximately of indigenous
ten times more Hydrogen than the pressurised Cryogenic Road Liquefaction cryogenic road
transport mode. For longer distance distribution, Tankers costs tankers and
liquified hydrogen transport is usually more cost- boil-off gas
effective as it can significantly hold more Hydrogen management
than a pressurised gas tank. Liquefaction requires
more energy and higher capital costs compared to the Safety such Reduction in
pressurised mode. Pipelines as leak costs associated
detection with materials of
Hydrogen produced at any central processing facility construction
can be transported to user point directly through
pipelines. Pipeline transport mode is a technologically Reduction in the
sophisticated method, and it’s the most efficient Onsite Economical costs of electricity
method of hydrogen transportation in large quantities. Production technology and electrolyser
Selection of materials of construction for Hydrogen cells
requires careful attention as Hydrogen tends Table 2: Issues with Hydrogen Transportation Methods
embrittlement. Hydrogen is also prone for corrosion
due to presence of an active electron of Hydrogen. The For large-scale consumer adoption of hydrogen-based
blending of Hydrogen with natural gas can be studied transport vehicles, deployment of hydrogen refuelling
further. This may help in boosting hydrogen usage. stations (HRS) in primary markets is essential. Hydrogen
Cost of hydrogen pipelines depends upon CAPEX for refuelling station consists of hydrogen storage tanks,
pipes, the compression energy costs and the available compressors with aftercoolers, and dispensers for
pressure limit at the source. delivering fuel. It is easy and fast to set up refuelling
stations. By standardising the components, refuelling
Transmission pipelines use mild, low carbon steels as station costs can be reduced. Hydrogen refuelling
materials of construction. Liquid hydrogen pipelines stations shall be conceptualised and designed
are expensive due to extremely low-temperature considering the risk of fire and explosion.
requirement. It may also be beneficial to consider onsite
hydrogen generation using smaller-scale equipment for

Sept - Dec 2020 45