This article was originally featured on Pipeline & Gas Journal
As companies around the world identify ways to combat climate change and mitigate their environmental impact, hydrogen is becoming a staple in many industrial and commercial industries. The use of hydrogen in the production of fuels and other industries has more than tripled since 1975, and this level of consumption shows no indication of slowing down.
In fact, future projections show continued exponential growth and estimate the global hydrogen market will exceed $160 billion by 2026.
This growth is no surprise to many who work with this versatile gas. Hydrogen is incredibly useful for various commercial and industrial purposes such as oil refining and the production of ammonia, steel and methanol. Hydrogen is also used to treat metals, produce fertilizer and process foods. But its future growth is dependent upon its link to clean energy production and consumption.
The history behind hydrogen and energy is long. The gas was used to power the first internal combustion engine before becoming a staple in the refining industry.
Once adapted for the petroleum refining industry, the use of hydrogen became widespread. It can reduce heavy gases and oils to lower molecular weights, reduce the sulfur content of fuels, treat gas in catalytic reforming and help meet regulatory standards for environmental safety.
Currently, as an abundant resource, hydrogen is one of the leading options for storing and producing renewable energy. There are multiple characteristics of hydrogen that make it an ideal source of clean energy. It is light, storable and energy-dense. It produces no direct pollutants, emissions or greenhouse gases. READ MORE