Carbon Dioxide Reduction Using a Hydrogen–Methane Fuel Blend

Although combustion technology is used in various fields, carbon dioxide is emitted when fossil fuels are burned. Using methane, the main component of natural gas, mixed with a non-carbon-dioxide-emitting fuel is a practical solution. In this study, we focused on hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel and examined the associated challenges. As a case study, we considered co-combustion in which the methane (the main component of LNG) was replaced with hydrogen, analyzing the impact on carbon dioxide emissions, calorific value, and price. Similarly, we examined ammonia and compared it with hydrogen. Taking into account the CO2 emissions permitted during fuel production under the Act on the Promotion of a Hydrogen Society, the reduction rate is lower when methane is replaced with hydrogen or ammonia. When methane is completely replaced with hydrogen, the CO2 emissions from the fuel production process would still amount to 15% of those from a 100% methane fuel. In contrast, this value rises to 33% for ammonia, indicating that the CO2 reduction effect of ammonia is smaller than that of hydrogen.