How Is Hydrogen Fuel Obtained?

Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas that can also be stored as a cryogenic liquid. It is the most abundant chemical substance in the universe, but that doesn't mean that it can be accessed freely. Hydrogen is very reactive, and therefore is not found freely in nature. Hydrogen must be extracted from another naturally occurring molecule. Today this extraction is done primarily from fossil fuels, mostly natural gas, but hydrogen can also be obtained and extracted from water. In both cases, it's an energy intensive process.
 

What is Caterpillar’s Experience with Developing Hydrogen Technologies?

Caterpillar has decades of experience conducting research on alternative fuels, including the development of new hydrogen technologies and the use of hydrogen blends and 100% hydrogen in reciprocating engines. This deep expertise has allowed us to produce an expanded portfolio of hydrogen-fueled generator sets that is safe to operate and has the same long maintenance interval as natural gas powered assets. With options to configure existing assets for natural-gas pipeline blending today, users can prepare to meet the changing fuel requirements of the future.

What are Hydrogen-Powered Gensets?

Hydrogen gas can be used as a fuel in reciprocating engines, much in the same way that natural gas is used today. Additionally, gas gensets can operate on blends of natural gas and hydrogen. The main advantage to using hydrogen over natural gas for power generation is reducing or possibly even eliminating carbon emissions. Hydrogen is an alternative fuel, available today, to help an organization make progress on its ESG goals. When hydrogen is used in a recip engine, it produces significantly reduced NOx and near-zero greenhouse gas emissions. In the future, hydrogen used in fuel cells can achieve zero emissions at the tailpipe.
 

In what ways can you use hydrogen in Cat^® engines?

Power Generation with 25% H₂ Mixed with Pipeline Natural Gas

• Cat^® gensets are hydrogen ready and have the ability to run on natural gas blends with up to 25% hydrogen by volume for 50 or 60 Hz continuous, prime, and load management applications.

Power Generation with 100% H₂ Fuel

• Caterpillar offers demonstrator G3516 gas gensets capable of operating on 100% hydrogen. This product is available with a rating of 1000 kW for 50 or 60 Hz continuous applications.
   

Can my existing generator set run on hydrogen?

Caterpillar offers retrofit kits to make this possible, but the enclosures and Balance of Plant (BOP) may require significant modifications to safely use hydrogen. Interested parties should consult local permitting authorities and regulations to ensure the safe handling of hydrogen in their applications.

Retrofit Kit Includes:

• Flame arrestors
  
• Explosion relief valve
• Knockdown regulator
• Gaskets & sealings
• Controller software
  

The update can be performed on a standalone basis or during any major service event.

What applications do hydrogen-fueled generators support? 

The potential applications of hydrogen-fueled gensets are as numerous and varied as for natural gas gensets. Applications include data centers, healthcare, greenhouses, municipal/wastewater treatment plants, and more.