An Overview of Hydrogen Production Techniques: Challenges and Limiting Factors in Achieving Wide-scale Productivity

Abstract

The growing population and human activities of the world have significantly increased the demand for energy worldwide. Currently, fossil fuels serve as the main source of energy, however, their use contributes to environmental pollution due to greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is an energy carrier that can be derived from both renewable and non-renewable sources. In this study, a comprehensive overview of various renewable methods for producing hydrogen, including thermal decomposition, electrical analysis, optical decomposition, vital mechanisms, and thermal and biological chemical processes, is presented. Limitations to the expansion of the hydrogen economy, such as the lack of a clean hydrogen value chain, storage and transfer issues, high production costs, lack of international standards, and investment risks, are also identified. To address these challenges and encourage governments to reduce investment risks, this study offers recommendations based on the latest research in this field. Improving the technical aspects of hydrogen production mechanisms, establishing a clean hydrogen value chain, developing standardized procedures for storage and transfer, and increasing investment in research and development are some of the proposed solutions. These actions can pave the way for a more sustainable and clean energy future.