At Triton Hydrogen, we're redefining the way global industries use the world's most abundant energy source with our innovative coating solution. Applying our coating inside any hydrogen-containing object ensures 100% containment, with no diffusion, permeation, embrittlement, leakage or degradation of the object.
We've finally unlocked a hydrogen-based future for everyone, and we're bringing every industry with us.
Tritonex positively impacts every form of hydrogen production.
Hydrogen can be both an atom and a molecule, depending on the context in which it's being discussed. As an atom, hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe, consisting of just one proton in its nucleus and one electron orbiting that nucleus. However, hydrogen naturally exists as a molecule in most environments, including Earth's atmosphere. This molecular form is known as dihydrogen or molecular hydrogen, and it consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded together (H2). This is the form in which hydrogen gas is found and used in various applications, from fuel to creating chemical reactions in industrial processes. So, in summary, hydrogen can refer to a single atom when discussing its elemental form, or a molecule when referring to its most stable, diatomic form, H2. Let's take a look at how commercial hydrogen is categorised.
Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen is produced by utilising clean electricity from surplus renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to electrolyse water. Electrolysers employ an electrochemical reaction to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, emitting zero carbon dioxide in the process. While green hydrogen currently represents a small fraction of overall hydrogen production due to its high cost, its price is expected to decrease as it becomes more commonplace, following the downward trajectory of wind power costs.
Blue hydrogen
Blue hydrogen is predominantly derived from natural gas using a process called steam reforming, which combines natural gas with heated water in the form of steam. The result is hydrogen, along with the byproduct of carbon dioxide. To be classified as blue hydrogen, the production process must involve carbon capture and storage (CCS) to capture and store the carbon dioxide emitted. Despite being referred to as “low-carbon hydrogen,” blue hydrogen production still generates greenhouse gases through the steam reforming process.
Grey Hydrogen
Grey hydrogen currently represents the most prevalent form of hydrogen production. It is produced from natural gas or methane using steam methane reforming, but without capturing the greenhouse gases emitted during the process. Grey hydrogen is essentially the same as blue hydrogen, but it lacks the implementation of carbon capture and storage.
Black & Brown Hydrogen
These types of hydrogen are produced by utilising black coal or lignite (brown coal) in the hydrogen production process. They represent the opposite end of the hydrogen spectrum from green hydrogen, being the most environmentally damaging options. Additionally, any hydrogen produced from fossil fuels through the gasification process is sometimes interchangeably referred to as black or brown hydrogen, further complicating the terminology.
Turquoise hydrogen
Turquoise hydrogen is a recent addition to the hydrogen colour spectrum, and large-scale production has yet to be demonstrated. It is created using a process called methane pyrolysis, which yields hydrogen and solid carbon. Whether turquoise hydrogen is regarded as a low-emission hydrogen depends on the thermal process being powered by renewable energy and the carbon being permanently stored or utilised.
Pink hydrogen
Pink hydrogen is generated through electrolysis powered by nuclear energy. It can also be called purple or red hydrogen. Furthermore, the high temperatures generated by nuclear reactors can be employed in other hydrogen production methods, such as steam production for more efficient electrolysis or fossil gas-based steam methane reforming.
Yellow Hydrogen
Yellow hydrogen is a relatively new term referring to hydrogen produced through electrolysis using solar power.
White Hydrogen
White hydrogen refers to naturally occurring geological hydrogen found in underground deposits and created through fracking. Presently, there are no strategies in place to exploit this type of hydrogen.
We are applying our innovative barrier coating system across every industry that utilises hydrogen.