Hydrogem® Hydrogen Boiler
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The H2ydroGEM® Hydrogen Boiler project has been launched to develop technical solutions that can produce thermal energy in a way completely independent from the use of fossil fuels.
The main objective of the research and development undertaken by Giacomini with the H2ydroGEM® project is to create a truly zero-emission cycle for heating buildings.
H2ydroGEM® represents the concrete commitment of Giacomini to sustainability and environmental respect.
H2YDROGEM® BURNER
H2ydroGEM® is the innovative catalytic burner that allows producing thermal energy totally fossil-fuel free.
H2ydrogem® is the result of R&D activity by Giacomini aimed at creating a ZERO EMISSION heating cycle for the building. H2ydrogem® uses just hydrogen, produced with renewable sources, and air taken from the atmosphere to produce the heat needed to heat the zones of the home.
HOW IT WORKS
For its operation, H2ydroGEM® uses a catalytic reaction so it is a thermal generator WITHOUT FLAME. In its channel a catalyser allows hydrogen and oxygen to combine in a molecule of water, simultaneously releasing heat.
Heat produced by the reaction is removed by a heat exchanger embedded in the burner. The water temperature is between 35 and 40°C, IDEAL to feed LOW TEMPERATURE heating systems such as radiant floor wall or ceiling panels.
The absence of carbon in reagents determines a reaction WITHOUT CO2 EMISSIONS, whereas low combustion temperature (300-350°C) AVOIDS THE FORMATION OF NOx. The only other product of the reaction is simple steam that can be released in the atmosphere without risks.
Patent pending
WHY HYDROGEN
The hydrogen atom is the simplest of all: it is made up of a nucleus with a single outer electron. It is therefore the lightest known substance and is also very widespread: 55% of all cosmic material is made up of hydrogen.
However in nature, it is not in free state, without exception: it is present in organic substances and, above all, in the water. It is no accident that, the name assigned to this element on 1783, 17 years after its discovery, means literally 'water generator'.
Today we look with increasing interest at the technologies connected to hydrogen. An energetic gas of almost unlimited availability in combination with renewable energy sources, in the near future these technologies could free society from the fossil fuel dependence with beneficial effects on the environment and on the climate of planet Earth.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier is certainly a viable solution to overcome pollution in urban areas, but we must not forget that in order to produce hydrogen it is necessary to use electricity or fossil fuels, inevitably producing carbon dioxide.
When using non-renewable sources, such as oil or coal, the production of CO2 is always present and must add up to the existing carbon dioxide. The case of biomass is of particular importance because it is not going to alter the concentration of CO2 already in the atmosphere. The burning, however, releases nitrogen and sulfur oxides and, depending on the type of biomass, also fine dust.
One way to produce hydrogen without any carbon dioxide emissions is to use renewable sources that enable the production of electricity and, electrolytically from this, hydrogen. The term "zero emissions" indicates precisely that producing energy the reaction is not accompanied by polluting (NOx) or climate-altering (CO2) emissions. Renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro power (shown in the figure) are those that allow nowadays the production of useful quantities of hydrogen through really zero-emission processes. Today we are working hard just to make this production economically viable on a large scale.
TOWARDS THE ZERO EMISSION CYCLE
By means of an electrolyser, it is possible to produce hydrogen wherever water and electric energy are available; in it the molecule of water is split into its two constituent elements: hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). The produced hydrogen is sent to the catalytic burner H2ydroGEM® directly, or through an intermediate storage, while oxygen can be stored for other uses.
The absence of carbon into the reagent gives a reaction without CO2 emissions, while the low combustion temperature (300-350°C) avoids NOx formation. The only other product of the reaction is simply steam that can be released in atmosphere.
By using electrical energy produced with renewable sources for the water electrolysis, it is possible to set up an authentic zero emission cycle.
