(649c) Carbohydrate Is a Promising Hydrogen Carrier for Transportation Section

Hydrogen-fuel cell system is believed to eventually replace current internal combustion engine for transportation sector because the former has much higher energy conversion efficiencies and does not produce any pollutant. But there are several technical obstacles to a hydrogen economy, such as, hydrogen storage and distribution infrastructure. In order to solve the above challenges, the proposed hydrogen carriers include methanol, ethanol, hydrocarbon, and even ammonia. Here we proposed to use carbohydrates (C6H10O5) as a hydrogen carrier (14.8 H2 mass %), based on our invention ? complete conversion of carbohydrate and water to hydrogen and carbon dioxide (PLOS ONE, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000456). This new conversion can be catalyzed at 30oC and atmospheric pressure. Special features, such as, safe storage of solid carbohydrates, modest reaction conditions, easy separation of the products and reactants (gas/liquid), complete conversion, high hydrogen storage capacity (14.8 mass%), no toxic by-products generated (e.g., CO or sulfuric oxide), and no special infrastructure required, make carbohydrate as a hydrogen carrier more appealing, as compared to other hydrogen carriers. Life cycle analysis suggests that the carbohydrate-hydrogen-PEM fuel cell system would be the most energy efficiency power train system; economic analysis suggests that it would be one of the cheapest fuel systems based on the final mechanical output. With technology improvement, we envision that we will drive vehicles powered by carbohydrates someday.