Second Law Implications for Hydrogen as a Fuel

M. Tekelioglu and B.D. Wood (USA)

Keywords

Hydrogen Energy, Reversible Work, Second Law.

Abstract

For the past few years, interest in clean and natural energy sources has increased dramatically. Because of the need for the elimination of air and water pollution and need for obtaining sustainable energy resources, alternative as well as renewable energy sources are given attention. Hydrogen is such an alternative energy source. The present paper evaluates the reversible work output of hydrogen in comparison to hydrocarbon fuels propane and methane with particular emphasis given to the type of the combustion process, viz., isothermal or adiabatic. The second law of thermodynamics with the aid of the first law represents the results of entropy generation, reversible work output, and exergy destruction of isothermal and adiabatic combustion processes of propane, methane and hydrogen fuels. This provides a benchmark for the maximum work available from the two fuels. Results based on per kg fuel consumption favor the use of hydrogen over propane and methane in terms of reversible work output regardless of the type of combustion process, adiabatic or isothermal.

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