Hydrogen Economy and Role of Hythane as a Bridging Solution: A Perspective Review

Molecular hydrogen is the most optimistic solution for achieving a carbon-neutral energy economy, and it requires scientific intervention for its production, storage, and transportation. In the present time, hydrogen is produced primarily from conventional fossil fuels. Hydrogen production from natural gas using partial oxidation and steam reforming processes is a relatively mature process. However, several modifications and improvements are being researched. Hydrogen generation from potential renewable and biological sources such as water splitting and biomass conversion are propitious approaches. Hydrogen is one of the smallest molecules, and the volumetric efficiency of its storage is quite poor. The creative and innovative ways for molecular hydrogen storage, including pressurized, liquified, physically adsorbed, chemically adsorbed, and in the form of gas hydrates, are being investigated. The delay in developing a systematic and mature hydrogen economy is mainly due to challenging storage conditions and the safety aspect of its transportation. Hythane, a patented mixture of hydrogen and natural gas, can act as a bridge for the hydrogen economy by sharing the current natural gas infrastructure. This review delivers an extensive understanding of the properties of hythane fuel with a brief history. Hydrogen addition can increase NOx emissions due to exceptional heat generation that can be solved to a certain extent with the approach of inventive technologies developed for internal combustion engines, including three-way catalyst, lean burn combustion, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and direct fuel injection (DFI).