Coal can be a cornerstone for the diverse hydrogen supply mix, with integration of
hydrogen production into coproduction of power and synthetic fuels. The United States
has more than one-quarter of the world’s coal reserves, with a supply that will last
over 250 years at current mining rates. Teamed with carbon management, coal-to-hydrogen
technology can help meet the main goals of a hydrogen economy (energy security, environmental
benefits, and economic advantages).
Coal gasification, a process that converts coal to a hydrogen-rich gas, is
a promising approach for producing hydrogen from a fossil fuel while at the same
time satisfying the nation’s electrical energy needs with an abundant natural and
domestic resource. Learn more about the
gasification equipment at the EERC NCHT.
The EERC NCHT is working with numerous industrial partners to develop systems to produce
both electricity and clean hydrogen from coal in near-zero-emission coal gasification plants.
In addition, the EERC NCHT is in partnership with Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., a world leader
in hydrogen supply. They are working to develop an improved system for producing hydrogen from
coal. This partnership will develop technology to produce a very pure hydrogen gas that
can be used in internal combustion engines and fuel cells.
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