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With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation. 3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles. How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 3 (All three). Green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy, is a versatile energy carrier with diverse applications as explained below:
- Statement 1 is correct: Hydrogen can be used directly in Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE). Unlike fuel cells, H2-ICEs burn hydrogen in a manner similar to gasoline or diesel, producing near-zero carbon emissions, making it a viable solution for heavy-duty transport.
- Statement 2 is correct: Hydrogen blending with natural gas is a proven technology. This mixture can be transported through existing pipeline infrastructure to be used for heating or in gas turbines for power generation, effectively reducing the carbon footprint of natural gas consumption.
- Statement 3 is correct: In Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), hydrogen undergoes an electrochemical reaction with oxygen to produce electricity, which powers an electric motor. This is a highly efficient, zero-emission application for decarbonizing the transport sector.
Since all three statements accurately describe the functional applications of green hydrogen, Option 3 is the correct choice.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Applied Science' question. While standard books (Shankar/NCERT) define Green Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Statement 3), the specific applications (ICE and Blending) require awareness of pilot projects like Delhi's H-CNG buses. The strategy is to map every new energy source to its potential end-uses: Power, Transport (ICE vs EV), and Industrial Feedstock.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly states that hydrogen engines burn hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, analogous to gasoline.
- Says hydrogen internal combustion engines are nearly identical to traditional spark-ignition engines, supporting direct use of hydrogen as fuel.
- Summarizes historical and recent investigations concluding hydrogen can be used as a vehicle fuel.
- Directly concludes that "hydrogen can be satisfactorily used as a fuel for internal combustion engine."
- Affirms hydrogen can be used for internal combustion engines but adds important caveats about practical challenges.
- Specifically notes distribution and on-board storage (high-pressure gas or cryogenic liquid) are major technical, economic, and safety obstacles to direct use.
Defines green hydrogen as a form of hydrogen produced by electrolysis from renewables, establishing the fuel type under discussion.
A student can combine this with basic chemistry/engineering knowledge about hydrogen (a gaseous fuel) to ask whether gaseous fuels can be fed to engines.
States that fuel-cell-powered vehicles use hydrogen and are contrasted with internal combustion engines, highlighting an established alternative hydrogen use in transport.
A student could use this to differentiate fuel-cell use (electrochemical conversion) from direct combustion and investigate whether hydrogen is typically used in ICEs or fuel cells.
Explains that internal combustion engines in vehicles run on petroleum hydrocarbons, indicating conventional ICE fuel characteristics.
A student can compare hydrocarbon fuel properties with hydrogen (using basic external facts) to assess compatibility or required modifications for ICE use.
Lists compressed natural gas (CNG) as an example of an alternative gaseous fuel used in internal combustion engines.
A student can use the CNG example plus knowledge that hydrogen is also a gas to explore whether ICEs can be adapted to run on gaseous fuels like hydrogen (e.g., fueling, storage, injection).
States the Green Hydrogen Mission aims to use green hydrogen as an energy source to decarbonise heavy industries and mobility, implying practical transport applications are a policy goal.
A student could use this to justify investigating practical transport deployment paths (fuel cells vs direct combustion) and look for technical/regulatory reasons favoring one route.
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