Maria Grazia De Giorgi , Muhammad Basit Chandio , Zubair Ali Shah , Ghazanfar Mehdi , Sara Bonuso , Paolo Maria Congedo , Ossi Kaario
{"title":"A critical assessment of MILD and plasma-enhanced combustion for net-zero energy systems using green hydrogen and ammonia","authors":"Maria Grazia De Giorgi , Muhammad Basit Chandio , Zubair Ali Shah , Ghazanfar Mehdi , Sara Bonuso , Paolo Maria Congedo , Ossi Kaario","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151826","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151826","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition to sustainable and smart urban energy systems requires combustion technologies that combine high efficiency with near-zero emissions. Moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion has emerged as a promising solution, offering volumetric heat release, reduced peak temperatures, and strong NO<sub>X</sub> suppression, ideal for integrating green hydrogen carriers such as ammonia and ammonia–hydrogen blends into stationary energy systems.</div><div>While MILD combustion is well-studied for hydrocarbons, its application to carbon-free fuels presents challenges including high ignition temperatures, low reactivity, and potential NO<sub>X</sub> formation. This review examines the behavior of ammonia-based fuels under MILD conditions, mapping combustion regimes across reactor types and operating parameters.</div><div>To address ignition and stability issues, the review also explores plasma-assisted MILD combustion (PAMC). Non-equilibrium plasma (NEP) discharges promote radical generation, reduce ignition delay times, and enhance flame stability under lean, highly diluted conditions. Recent experimental and numerical studies demonstrate that plasma activation can reduce ignition delay times by up to an order of magnitude, lower flame lift-off heights by over 30 % in certain configurations, and enhance OH radical concentrations and heat release intensity. The extent of these improvements depends on factors such as plasma energy input, fuel type, and dilution level. This review synthesizes key findings, identifies technical gaps, and highlights the potential of MILD and PAMC as clean, flexible, and scalable solutions for low-emission stationary energy generation in smart city environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151826"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bi-level economic optimization of integrated energy systems considering electric-thermal-hydrogen synergistic carbon reduction","authors":"Yi Luo, Xiaojuan Han, Hui Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address environmental pollution and fossil fuel scarcity while improving energy utilization efficiency, this paper proposes an optimal scheduling approach for integrated energy systems. The proposal is based on a Stackelberg game framework that incorporates electric-thermal-hydrogen synergistic carbon reduction. On the energy supply side, this paper integrates an enhanced combined heat and power model with an integrated hydrogen utilization model. Based on a stepwise carbon trading mechanism, an electric-thermal-hydrogen synergistic carbon reduction strategy is formulated to optimize system carbon reduction performance under real-time demand fluctuations. In this model, the energy retailer acts as the leader, and the user aggregators and energy suppliers are the following. The CPLEX solver and an enhanced differential evolution technique are used to solve this problem. A comprehensive energy station in China provides real-world operational data to validate the efficacy of the suggested approach. Case studies demonstrate that the approach increases the energy retailer's revenue by 2.71 %, reduces carbon emissions by 18.6 %, and boosts the user aggregator's profits by 22.7 % compared to the traditional system. Furthermore, a life-cycle cost analysis validates its long-term economic advantages, enabling low-carbon, economically efficient, and flexible operation of IES.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151734"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Differentiating hydrogen-driven hazards from conventional failure modes in hydrogen infrastructure","authors":"Yutao Li , Jose Torero , Augustin Guibaud","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151155","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151155","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogen is a promising carbon-free energy carrier for large-scale applications, yet its adoption faces unique safety challenges. Microscopic physicochemical properties, such as high diffusivity, low ignition energy, and distinct chemical pathways, alter the safety of hydrogen systems. Analyzing the HIAD 2.0 incident database, an occurrence-based review of past hydrogen incidents shows that 59% arise from general industrial failures common to other hydrocarbon carrier systems. Of the remaining 41%, only 15% are unequivocally linked to the fuel’s unique properties. This study systematically isolates hazards driven by hydrogen’s intrinsic properties by filtering out confounding factors, and provides an original clear characterization of the different failure mechanisms of hydrogen systems. These hydrogen-specific cases are often poorly described, limiting their contribution to safety strategies and regulations improvement. A case study on pipeline failures illustrates how distinguishing hydrogen-specific hazards supports targeted risk mitigation. The findings highlight the need for evidence-based regulation over broadly precautionary approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151155"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zakaria El Fatouaki , El Mustapha Hrida , Abdellah Tahiri , Abderrahim Jabar , Mohamed Idiri
{"title":"Novel alkali metal AFe3H8 (A = Na, K, Rb) hydrides explored by first-principles calculations for hydrogen storage","authors":"Zakaria El Fatouaki , El Mustapha Hrida , Abdellah Tahiri , Abderrahim Jabar , Mohamed Idiri","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using CASTEP, key physical properties of the hydride compounds AFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> (A = Na, K, Rb) were systematically investigated, including structural, hydrogen storage, elastic, electronic, thermodynamic, and optical properties. The hydrides exhibit stable cubic structures with lattice constants ranging from 4.111 Å to 4.375 Å, and their mechanical, thermodynamic, and thermal stability is confirmed via elastic criteria, formation energies, phonon dispersion, and AIMD simulations. Hydrogen gravimetric storage capacities are 4.06, 3.76, and 3.09 wt% for NaFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>, KFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>, and RbFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>, respectively, with NaFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> showing the highest desorption temperature of 324.817 K. Electronic band structure analysis under GGA-PBE confirms metallic behavior for all hydrides, while DFT + U calculations reveal more complex spin-dependent behavior: NaFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> remains metallic with an asymmetric band structure, whereas KFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> and RbFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> exhibit half-metallic character in the spin channels, with corresponding magnetic moments of 1.440 μ<sub>B</sub>, 1.270 μ<sub>B</sub>, and 1.435 μ<sub>B</sub>, respectively. Despite their rigidity, AFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> hydrides are sufficiently ductile for long-term hydrogen cycling. Calculated optical properties indicate potential for optoelectronic-assisted hydrogen storage and other device applications. These results highlight AFe<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> perovskite hydrides as promising candidates for advanced energy, hydrogen storage, and optoelectronic technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151849"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhiqiang Niu , Kangwei Qiao , Shiqing Huang , Xu Lin , Shitao Wang , Jimmy Yun , Dapeng Cao
{"title":"A review of hybrid membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells and electrolyzers","authors":"Zhiqiang Niu , Kangwei Qiao , Shiqing Huang , Xu Lin , Shitao Wang , Jimmy Yun , Dapeng Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151832","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151832","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) have been extensively used in fuel cells, water electrolyzers, CO<sub>2</sub> reduction, and other energy conversion devices. Designing hybrid MEAs based on a combination of proton exchange membrane (PEM) and anion exchange membrane (AEM) may be beneficial for reducing the cost of MEAs and accelerating its applications. This review analyzes the origin of developing hybrid MEAs for fuel cells, and then presents the research progress of hybrid MEAs from three aspects, including the types of hybrid MEAs, process optimization, and theoretical calculations. Then, the applications of hybrid MEAs in direct borohydride fuel cell, water electrolyzer, and carbon dioxide electrolyzer are introduced briefly. Finally, the future perspective of hybrid MEAs is addressed. Although hybrid MEAs exist some problems such as low power density, it is still considered as a promising solution for industrial applications because it can couple pH environments. In short, this review provides a significant guidance for the development of high-performance hybrid MEAs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151832"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhongzheng Huang , Zhoujian An , Daozeng Yang , Dong Zhang , Yong Ding
{"title":"Effect of emulsification of catalyst ink on the structure of catalyst layer in PEMFC","authors":"Zhongzheng Huang , Zhoujian An , Daozeng Yang , Dong Zhang , Yong Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151830","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151830","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cathode catalyst layer (CCL) as one of the most critical components of the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), requires precise structural engineering to optimize electrochemical performance, and the cluster structure formed in the catalyst inks directly affects final morphology and catalytic performance of the catalyst layer. In conventional catalyst ink formulations, the low surface tension of alcohols is utilized to disrupt the water film encapsulating catalyst particles, thereby destabilizing agglomerate structures and enabling mechanical dispersion of catalyst particulates. Current studies indicate that cluster sizes in traditional CCL inks typically range from hundreds of nanometers to 1 μm. This study introduces an emulsification strategy for PEMFC catalyst inks by incorporating ethyl propionate to form water-oil microemulsions. Catalyst inks with increasing oil-phase mass fractions exhibit progressively smaller hydrodynamic cluster diameters. Sufficient emulsification optimizes catalyst layer pore structure. Electrochemical tests confirm significant performance gains: the emulsified system achieves a limiting current density of 3.12 A cm<sup>−2</sup> and a peak power density of 1.275 W cm<sup>−2</sup> at 2.5 A cm<sup>−2</sup>, exceeding the conventional water-alcohol system by 20 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151830"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed Kamil , Ahmad Alobaid , Md Mustafizur Rahman , Rosli Abu Bakar , Omar I. Awad
{"title":"One-dimensional single-zone analysis of combustion, thermodynamics, and heat transfer in a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion Engine: A parametric evaluation","authors":"Mohammed Kamil , Ahmad Alobaid , Md Mustafizur Rahman , Rosli Abu Bakar , Omar I. Awad","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151838","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151838","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the combustion, thermodynamic, and heat transfer characteristics of a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine (H<sub>2</sub>ICE). A one-dimensional single-zone simulation model is developed to represent intake, compression, combustion, and expansion processes. Multiple heat transfer correlations, including those of Woschni, Annand, and Bargende, are integrated and evaluated. The model is validated against experimental data from a port-injectionhydrogen engine. Results show that conventional correlations underestimate heat losses for hydrogen combustion. Among the examined models, the Bargende correlation yields the closest match to the validated trends across the studied cases. Relative to Woschni and Annand, it reduces the cycle-integrated heat-loss discrepancy by up to 18 %. Sensitivity analysis identifies equivalence ratio and spark timing as the most influential parameters; advancing spark timing from 10° to 25° BTDC increases network by ∼660 J. These findings underscore the need for hydrogen-specific heat transfer models and demonstrate the effectiveness of simulation in guiding H<sub>2</sub>ICE optimization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151838"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hybrid multi-scale multiphase flow modeling of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers for green hydrogen production","authors":"Vittorio Nardin, Emilio E. Paladino","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this paper, a three-dimensional multiphase flow model for the anode side of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer was developed using OpenFOAM. The model incorporated key factors like electrochemical reactions, porosity, capillary pressure, and bubble formation. A hybrid multi-scale approach captured dispersed and continuous phase morphologies, characterized by small and large-scale interfaces between water and oxygen at anode flow channels, which were crucial for predicting gas distribution and cell performance. This multi-field approach associated one specific numerical phase to each possible physical phase morphology, allowing precise modeling of multiple interface dynamics within the same computational domain. The model was validated with experimental polarization curves and in-situ two-phase flow visualization, showing excellent agreement with literature. This study provided insights into the behavior of PEM electrolyzers under various operating conditions, especially at high current densities, highlighting the importance of accurate modeling in optimizing PEM electrolyzers for green hydrogen production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151764"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unraveling the synergistic advantage and interaction of chromium–iridium oxide catalyst for promoting acidic oxygen evolution reaction","authors":"Jiaxin Li, Hongmei Yu, Zhiyang Wang, Wanxiu Pang, Yutong Zhao, Jun Chi, Zhigang Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Integrating transition metal oxide that has certain acid-resistant properties with Ir-based catalyst is a promising method to simultaneously reduce Ir loading and improve acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. In this work, we synthesize a series Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>–IrO<sub>2</sub>/Ti (CrIrO/Ti) catalysts with different Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> dosage for acidic OER, where IrO<sub>2</sub> is loaded on Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> coated Ti felt. The optimal CrIrO/Ti-0.5 catalyst generates the current density of 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> at a low overpotential of 211 mV. The Ir loading in CrIrO/Ti-0.5 greatly reduces to 73.3 μg cm<sup>−2</sup> accompanied with a high mass activity of 630.1 A g<sub>Ir</sub><sup>−1</sup>, which is 4.5 folds of IrO<sub>2</sub>/Ti. The Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> interlayer on the Ti felt surface provides more anchor sites for Ir species and maintains good electrical conductivity of Ti substrate. This work unveils the synergistic advantage and specific interaction between IrO<sub>2</sub> and Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, providing a profound understanding of the promotion effect of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> to Ir-based catalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151861"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A comparative investigation on flame characteristics and temperature distribution in ammonia and hydrogen Co-firing with coal combustion","authors":"Mingyang Xu, Xiaowei Liu, Yishu Xu, Aoyang Zhang, Minghou Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study on pulverized coal co-firing with ammonia and hydrogen, including the ignition time, flame length, and temperature distribution of coal particles, is of great significance for the design and operation of new co-firing burners. It provides technical support for the realization of low-carbon transformation of coal-fired power plants. Based on the typical research methods for pulverized coal ignition, this paper investigates the characteristics of pulverized coal jet ignition during the co-firing process of ammonia/coal and hydrogen/coal through a Hencken burner. By utilizing high-speed photography and the backlight method, this study obtained the ignition mode and ignition time of pulverized coal particles under various working conditions, including differences in ammonia and hydrogen co-firing difference and co-firing ratio. It was found that the ignition process of pure coal particles is primarily heterogeneous. However, as the co-firing ratio increases, the homogeneous ignition characteristics of the flame become significantly more pronounced. The co-firing flame consists of coupled combustion of the solid and gas phases, with the flame length primarily influenced by the combustion of the solid phase.</div><div>The ignition time of pulverized coal particles can be significantly reduced by co-firing a small proportion of ammonia or hydrogen. This reduction is primarily attributed to the faster ignition time of gas-phase flame, which provides additional heat that enhances the heating rate of pulverized coal particles. At the same time, hydrogen demonstrates a higher combustion rate than ammonia, resulting in a more significant enhancement of pulverized coal combustion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":337,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hydrogen Energy","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 151851"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}