Reducing CO2 Emissions with Hydrogen Fuel in UNB Heating Plant

Abstract
Global warming has caused adverse effects especially on matters relating to climate change
(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2018). The world today is grappling to
minimise the causes of global warming. To that effect, carbon-based fuels, mainly fossil fuels
are being phased out as much better alternatives are being introduced. In UNB heating plant,
20 764 562 kg of CO2 is emitted annually with wood being the highest contributor of the
CO2 emission. The UNB Heating plant has come by a new technique of producing hydrogen
fuel for their furnaces. This new technology of synthesising hydrogen holds promise of
reduced cost of production that will see the plant save up to 63% of their current operation
cost and also escape the hefty taxation for CO2 gas emission during operation imposed by the
federal government. In the recent years, the CO2 emission has been gradually increasing and
if this trend is to continue, the heat plant will run into losses in tax.

Introduction
The UNB heat plant has a high demand of energy in order to adequately supply steam to the
UNB community as well as the neighbouring institutions. Currently, the plant is utilizing
wood, heavy oil (number 6) and natural gas to supply the energy. These fuels have high
carbon content and hence release a lot of carbon (IV) oxide into the atmosphere together with
other pollutants such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. These emissions are the primary
cause of global warming (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2018).
A new technique has been discovered that can be used to generate hydrogen gas that can be
used as fuel in the place of the carbon-based fuels. This report highlights the benefits derived
from this new source of energy in terms of reduced emissions and cost of production.
Hydrogen Gas Demand and Production Cost
The new technique produces pure hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is an efficient fuel source due
to its high calorific value (141.70 MJ/kg). The gas is also more environmentally friendly
since the product of its combustion, water, is not toxic hence environmentally friendly. 5 108
333 kilograms of hydrogen are required on an annual basis to meet the demand of the Heat
plant. The associated cost for production is approximately $2656333 annually. When the cost
is compared to the cost of producing hydrogen from the traditional electrolysis of water
which stands at $ 13281665, this new method stands out as a very cheap alternative.
Carbon (IV) Oxide Emission
the current types of fuels used in the heat plant have high carbon content. A comparative
analysis of the contribution CO2 from each source shows that wood is the highest contributor.
the chart below gives a full illustration.

2%
33%
65%
CO2 Emission from Fuels
Oil
Gas
Wood
Figure 1 Contribution of CO2 by Current Use of Fuels
Carbon (IV) oxide emission from the plant has been gradually increasing over the years as
shown in the chart below.