Production of hydrogen from river water supported by solar energy

In the second stage of the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels began to be extensively used and are now classified as limited natural resources. Additionally, the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels has been known for a long time. The limited reserves of these fuels and their environmental impacts have increased the need for alternative energy sources. Hydrogen is a chemical element with many properties. It is rarely found in its pure form on Earth and is typically obtained by separating it from compounds, a process that requires a significant amount of energy. Hydrogen can be converted into different by-products and, when used, does not harm the environment. It is transportable and storable, which makes it stand out among alternative fuels. Hydrogen can be used directly as an alternative fuel due to its high energy content, in internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Additionally, it can be used as a component of synthetic fuels and in various industries. This study conducts a literature review on hydrogen, compares production methods, and produces hydrogen using the most efficient method considered: electrolysis of water. In hydrogen production, purified river water, PEM Fuel Cell technology, and solar energy were utilized. To ensure that river water can be used in the system throughout all seasons, a staged filtration system was employed. The filtered water was collected in a glass container, evaporated using concentrated sunlight, and then condensed in the experimental setup to obtain purified water. From this purified water, green hydrogen and oxygen were produced and stored with the help of PEM Fuel Cells and solar energy. Furthermore, the produced hydrogen was reacted with oxygen in the PEM cell to generate electrical energy, heat, and purified water. This system is one of the rare systems that produce zero (waste) emissions during operation. The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier is considered to potentially play a significant role in providing an alternative to clean energy sources in the future. However, the widespread and sustainable use of hydrogen for a clean environment requires overcoming technological barriers and particularly promoting its production with renewable energy sources as a global policy by governments.