He orange hydrogen It’s one of the most curious elements we’ve seen. It is a kind of energy source experimental, but there are already several who don’t want it. If you were surprised by what we told you about turquoise hydrogen, this type H will not leave you indifferent. The electrification of various areas is a crucial step to achieve the long-awaited energy transition that humanity needs.
The same happens with the production of hydrogen, one of the main processes that complement and strengthen this method in particularly difficult cases. When we hear about hydrogen, we often talk about green hydrogen, but there are many more types.
The world is going through a moment of change on an energy level. The misuse of fossil fuels is increasingly rejected and both governments and various companies are working together to provide alternatives for ordinary citizens.
Orange hydrogen, the experimental option that many prefer to see from afar
Among the different hydrogen production processes experimental there’s that of the orange hydrogen, which many don’t even want to hear about. It is energy generated from non-renewable energy sources, such as natural gas or coal. Unlike what happens with green hydrogen (the most popular), orange hydrogen It is NOT a source of clean energy because its production results in carbon emissions.
The production process uses natural gas or coal as raw material. Through a process called steam reforming, natural gas or coal is converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen that is released is captured and used as fuel or to carry out other industrial processes.
Broadly speaking, this type of hydrogen is used in the petrochemical industry and in industrial processes that require hydrogen as a raw material. It can also be used as a fuel in hydrogen cars, although its use in this area is not as common due to its negative environmental impact.
Despite being an element that works efficiently as a fuel, the fact that it ‘releases’ carbon emissions does not convince many users. The most important? Waste that is not biodegradable is used, so they are not burned. We thus achieve two benefits: we avoid the pollution associated with its combustion and also the degradation of ecosystems.
Alternative to orange hydrogen
Green hydrogen is a clear alternative to this orange hydrogen. It becomes the most popular of the different types of hydrogen, among which we can distinguish other colors such as red, blue, turquoise, brown, gray…
It receives this great recognition because it is produced from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind energy. This is achieved through a water electrolysis process, where hydrogen and oxygen are separated using renewable electricity. The resulting hydrogen is a clean energy source without CO2 emissions.
The green hydrogen production process starts with the production of energy via solar panels or wind turbines. This energy is used to fuel water electrolysis, which separates water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is captured and stored for later use as fuel.
Green hydrogen has various applications in different sectors: including transport, electricity production and heat production. In addition, it can be used in hydrogen cars as an energy source in fuel cells to produce electricity, and in industrial methods that require heat.
Likewise, it has great potential as a renewable energy storage because H can be generated when there is excess energy and used when demand is high.
Orange hydrogen versus green hydrogen: which is better?
Ecologically speaking, the answer is simple. Green hydrogen is considered the most sustainable option due to its renewable origin and carbon-free production.
It is not without reason that many consider the experimental orange hydrogen the “dirtiest” energy in the world. However, green H is generally more expensive to produce than orange. Would you like to know more about the different types of H? Here we tell you more about red hydrogen.