Usage of on-demand oxyhydrogen gas as clean/renewable fuel for combustion applications: a review

ABSTRACT

The extensive and inefficient utilization of fossil fuels leads to high environmental concerns and energy security. Scientists are merely emphasizing on renewable energy sources and their appropriate utilization. In this regard, on-demand production (by dry cell alkaline water electrolysis) and utilization of brown’s/oxyhydrogen (oxyhydrogen) gas deemed feasible due to its less capital cost, simplicity, low maintenance, and high calorific value. Furthermore, oxyhydrogen is considered to be clean because it does not produce NOx, SOx and carbon during its combustion as compared to conventional fossil fuels. This review is focused on different applications which has a potential to use oxyhydrogen gas for their combustion process. Moreover, it was emphasized on effective utilization of oxyhydrogen gas as on-demand production by the application. As fuel with hydrogen contents is considered to be dangerous to handle, so in the final section of the article an attempt has been made to detail various safety parameters such as flash back arrest, combustion nozzle design and working temperature for production and utilization of oxyhydrogen. It is concluded from the study that oxyhydrogen gas has a future for replacing conventional fuels as primary and secondary source for combustion applications due to their sustainability, combustibility and environmental friendliness.

KEYWORDS:

• Oxyhydrogen
• electrolyzer
• clean fuel
• combustion

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the technical and financial assistance of UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC) and the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) Program Research Grant, UMPEDAC - 2018 (MOHE HICOE - UMPEDAC), Ministry of Education Malaysia, RU007-2018 and RU012-2019, University of Malaya.