Emission scenarios for a global hydrogen economy and the consequences for global air pollution

van Ruijven, Bas; Lamarque, JF; van Vuuren, DP; Kram, Tom; Eerens, H

HERO ID

809013

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2011

Language

English

HERO ID 809013
In Press No
Year 2011
Title Emission scenarios for a global hydrogen economy and the consequences for global air pollution
Authors van Ruijven, Bas; Lamarque, JF; van Vuuren, DP; Kram, Tom; Eerens, H
Journal Global Environmental Change
Volume 21
Issue 3
Page Numbers 983-994
Abstract Hydrogen is named as possible energy carrier for future energy systems. However, the impact of large-scale hydrogen use on the atmosphere is uncertain. Application of hydrogen in clean fuel cells reduces emissions of air pollutants, but emissions from hydrogen production and leakages of molecular hydrogen could influence atmospheric chemistry. This paper combines a global energy system model and a global atmospheric model to explore the range of impacts of hydrogen on atmospheric chemistry. We found that emissions of molecular hydrogen may range from 0.2 up to 10% (or 25–167Tg hydrogen/yr) for a global hydrogen energy system. The lower end of this range would in fact be equal to current emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Hydrogen energy use leads to a clear decrease in emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, but large-scale hydrogen production from coal may lead to net increase in emissions of nitrous oxide and volatile organic compound. Compared to a reference scenario, this would lead to positive impacts on surface concentrations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and ozone. However, if hydrogen leakage would not be minimised it leads to an increase in methane lifetimes and a decrease in stratospheric ozone concentrations.
Doi 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.03.013
Wosid WOS:000293549000021
Url http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0959378011000409
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000293549000021
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Hydrogen energy;Atmospheric chemistry;Molecular hydrogen emissions;Stratospheric ozone;Air polluting emissions
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