Many owners of private houses are interested in a cheap and clean way to heat a room. Hydrogen heating is one of the possible solutions. Such technology can be a worthy alternative to modern systems. Is it possible to assemble and install a hydrogen generator for heating a private house with my own hands? How does this installation work? What equipment is used during installation? The answer to such questions can be found in this article.
What is hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical substance on our planet. A toxin-free colorless gas is present in almost all compounds. The substance is endowed with unique properties. In the solid and liquid state, hydrogen has practically no mass. The size of its atoms is the smallest in comparison with other chemical elements.
The substance obtained as a result of mixing hydrogen with the surrounding air can retain its properties for a very long time while in the room, but may explode from minimal contact with fire. For transportation and storage, special cylinders made of alloy steel are used.
Heating a private house with hydrogen
You can get fuel indefinitely. To obtain it, ordinary water and electricity are enough. Thermal energy released during the interaction of hydrogen with oxygen is used to heat buildings.
What is an installation?
Oxygen and hydrogen generation technology is a great alternative to natural gas. The average burning temperature can be equal to 3000 degrees Celsius. To withstand such a high rate, you will need a special burner for burning hydrogen.
A similar device consists of several elements. A good hydrogen generator for heating a private house, contributing to the process of dividing water into components, can be assembled independently. Additionally, catalysts are used to optimize the chemical reaction. The piping from the generator and the burner will be needed to create a flame. As a heat exchange device, you can use an ordinary boiler. In the furnace there is a burner responsible for heating in the heating system.
Old equipment can be adapted to handle hydrogen fuel. In financial matters, such engineering solutions will be much more acceptable in comparison with the acquisition of a new boiler manufactured at the plant. At the same time, a hydrogen generator for heating a private house will require more space.
First samples
For the practical use of the reaction in the combination of hydrogen with oxygen, industrial designs were first developed . The maximum efficiency of such installations was 80%. As a result of the hard work of engineers after numerous improvements, manufacturers were able to launch the first hydrogen plants for use in the home.
To connect, you will need to fulfill several conditions. These include providing connectivity to a fluid source. An ordinary water supply will do. The capacity of the installation will determine the consumption of raw materials. An electrical connection is required for electrolysis. Depending on the model and power of the boiler, the quality of the catalyst is determined. An example of a quality installation is a hydrogen generator for heating a Star 1000 private house.
The device, unlike devices operating on solid fuel, is much safer to use. This is due to the fact that all processes take place inside the installation itself, and only visual control of the readings is required from users. It should always be remembered that in improvised units leakage of the fuel mixture is possible. Be sure to check the tightness of the container before starting the device.
Relevance of the installation
The operational features of such products are of interest to all consumers. You can create a hydrogen generator for heating a private house with your own hands. Photos of examples are presented in our article.
Home-made and factory devices differ significantly in efficiency. You need to be prepared for the fact that their actual capacity will not correspond to the calculations. For this reason, the self-installation of the hydrogen system must be carried out using proven boilers or factory generators.
Benefits and recommendations
Consider the positive aspects of hydrogen-fired heating appliances. The fuel supply is endless. To refuel such a boiler, plain water is needed. A minimum volume of electricity of 0.3 kW / h is sufficient for normal operation of the device with a capacity of 27 kW. Carbon monoxide, harmful to the body, are completely absent.
When buying a hydrogen generator for heating a house, it is recommended to choose a suitable boiler or device for heat exchange. Such plants should function normally at elevated temperatures, which are achieved by burning hydrogen fuel.
The resulting mixture as a result of the generator belongs to explosive gases. A person cannot detect a leak in a room by smell. The flash point is very high. This means that the substance is explosive. It is for this reason that every home-made unit should always be checked.
disadvantages
High cost is the main limiting factor when choosing a factory setting. The most popular hydrogen generator for heating a private house is available for 50,000 rubles. The replacement of the catalyst block should be done once a year. This part is necessary to improve the quality of the boiler, even if it is not a factory setting.
The main features of hydrogen plants
Of course, you must follow the safety rules. We must not forget about the possible consequences of an uncontrolled chemical reaction. To organize the heating of a private house with hydrogen yourself, you will need accessories such as pipes and a boiler.
Installations do not require additional devices for the removal of combustion products. Heat is generated as a result of a chemical reaction. Hot steam enters the pipe system. Such heating systems are best used for heating ceilings, baseboards and flooring indoors.
What pipes are needed?
Recommended pipe diameters from 25 to 32 mm. The diameter must be changed from larger to smaller after wiring. This method will provide the maximum effect of heating systems.
Prospects for hydrogen energy
Current methods are being developed to significantly reduce the cost of such plants. These include technologies for generating cheap or even free electricity. Better catalysts for a chemical reaction can be selected. They have long been known and are used in hydrogen fuel blocks for cars. But again, everything comes down to an excessively high cost.
Widely known are modern welding machines with integrated hydrogen reactors. The cost of fuel does not really matter. There is also no need to solve the problem of transporting heavy cylinders. The whole device fits comfortably in a lightweight small drawer.
Science has come a long way. The opportunity to improve technology for arranging life today is available to mankind, as never before. Simply find the right information. Not all sources of alternative energy are brought to mass production today. But these technologies are so elementary and simple that anyone can build a hydrogen generator for heating a private house with their own hands in their garage and use it to ensure their own well-being.
Conclusion
For the time being, we can only make assumptions about what technologies humanity will use tomorrow. The prospects for hydrogen-based energy are skeptically evaluated by many scientists because of the small range of applications. But you can look at this situation from the other side. If it is human nature to develop technologies for arranging one's own life, interacting with the forces of nature, how can one discard the possibility of obtaining thermal energy as a result of the interaction of electricity and water?
It is foolish to pass such an opportunity. If you canโt find a way to apply this in the modern world, maybe itโs better to think about which world we are striving to create? A hydrogen generator for heating a private house and other natural technologies must be developed and used.