KR20050081847A - Method and apparatus for storage and transportation of hydrogen - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for storing and transporting hydrogen using carbon dioxide as a storage medium. The electrolyzer dissociates water with energy from renewable sources to provide hydrogen. The reactor reacts with hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form a product. The product is transported to a consumption location or storage location. The storage device can be used to store the retained carbon dioxide produced when the product is consumed. The retained carbon dioxide is transported to the reactor site and reacted with hydrogen provided from the hydrogen source. This carbon dioxide circuit is used to transport and store hydrogen effectively.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF HYDROGEN}

Cross-Verification of Related Applications

This application claims the advantages and priorities of a previously filed co-pending April 11, 2003, US Provisional Application Serial No. 60 / 462,234, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. More particularly, the present invention relates to the storage and transport of hydrogen by using carbon dioxide as the storage medium.

Fossil fuels such as methane (CH ₄ ) emit CO ₂ instead of providing energy. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind provide intermittent energy, including electrical energy, which is difficult to store, and it is not readily available to supplement energy demand. However, energy from renewable sources can easily be used to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen. Moreover, hydrogen can be obtained by reforming hydrocarbon products such as methane or diesel fuel. Hydrogen may also be produced by nuclear power, electrolysis or steam electrolysis (using waste heat).

Therefore, storage of hydrogen has been an intensive research field because hydrogen is a rich and excellent fuel suitable for many applications. Hydrogen can be used to generate electricity using devices such as fuel cells, which produce only water vapor as a byproduct. Hydrogen is the preferred fuel because internal combustion engines are more efficient when fuel cells use the energy content of hydrogen than when they use energy from diesel fuel or gasoline (approximately 40% vs. 30% energy). However, fuel cells are not a complete technology. Moreover, there is a problem with the transport of hydrogen.

There are difficulties associated with hydrogen storage. Although hydrogen has a very high energy capacity per unit mass, it has a very low density even in liquid form and as a result is very bulky as a fuel. Storage is a major concern, especially when moving, since there must be a tank on the vehicle. Even considering the improved efficiency of the fuel cell, one liter of hydrogen compressed to 400 times the standard pressure has an energy value of 0.24 liters of gasoline or diesel. One liter of liquefied hydrogen with an energy value slightly higher than the above mentioned compressed hydrogen is equivalent to about 0.475 liters of gasoline. Hydrogen must be at a very low temperature of about -423 ° F / -253 ° C to liquefy, which requires energy input. Tanks designed to hold liquefied hydrogen are also expensive. Hydrogen can be compressed up to 660 times its atmospheric pressure, but this requires additional energy and is very expensive to build a tank.

Because of the problem of storing hydrogen directly, there is a need for another fuel source that can be stored more easily. These compounds are then treated or modified to release the hydrogen used. Compounds such as these include methanol, ethanol, methane and even gasoline and can be modified to release hydrogen. One problem with this method is that carbon dioxide is emitted, which means that it is not a viable strategy for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). Moreover, these fuels are not a means of renewable energy sources.

Other compounds such as hydrides can be used to catch hydrogen. Some metal hydrides release their hydrogen when heated and then have to be recovered or "recharged" during later refueling processes. Other hydrides, such as sodium borohydride, release hydrogen when exposed to water, but must remain recharged, leaving residue on the storage material.

The final category for hydrogen storage is to store hydrogen using new or exotic materials, including nanotubes. The novel material has a vast array of small surfaces that hydrogen can attach to and then release, creating a storage mechanism. However, this technique has not yet been fully developed or proven to work effectively.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a cost effective means of storing hydrogen without having to consume a significant amount of energy to compress or liquefy the gas. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a cost effective means of transporting hydrogen. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a method for effectively powering a renewable energy source. Finally, it would be advantageous to provide an energy storage and transportation system that prevents net carbon dioxide emissions while consuming energy.

Summary of the Invention

The apparatus for transporting hydrogen includes a hydrogen source and a carbon dioxide source. The reactor is in communication with a hydrogen source and a carbon dioxide source, allowing hydrogen to react with carbon dioxide to form a product selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The conduit is in communication with the reactor and transports the product to a consumption or storage location. The conduit is also in communication with the consumption site for transporting carbon dioxide to the reactor location or storage location.

The method of transporting hydrogen includes providing a hydrogen source and a carbon dioxide source. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are sent to the reactor. Hydrogen reacts with carbon dioxide to form a product selected from the group comprising hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The product is transported to a consumption location or storage location. Carbon dioxide is transported from the consumption location to either the reactor location or the storage location.

An apparatus for storing hydrogen by using carbon dioxide as a storage medium includes a hydrogen source and a carbon dioxide source. The reactor is in communication with a hydrogen source and a carbon dioxide source and reacts hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form a product selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The storage device stores a product containing hydrogen and is in communication with the reactor.

The method of storing hydrogen by using carbon dioxide as the storage medium includes providing a predetermined amount of hydrogen and a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are sent to the reactor to form a product selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The product containing hydrogen is stored.

Other objects, configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art through the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the claims.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to FIG. 1, an energy use system according to the state of the art is schematically illustrated. The natural gas source 5, in particular the gas field, is in communication with the gas conduit 7 to transport the natural gas to the energy user of the consuming location 8. Assuming combustion is ideal, energy users burn natural gas with oxygen, consuming natural gas to generate heat and carbon dioxide and water as by-products.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is schematically shown the energy usage system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the state of the art, which further comprises a renewable energy source 9. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy are inconsistent, making it difficult to use renewable energy sources to supplement energy demand. Renewable energy sources can easily generate electricity, but can only sporadically reduce fixed loads from traditional power sources. In addition, electricity from renewable energy sources is difficult to store in large quantities. In addition, transmitting hundreds of miles of electricity over high-voltage power lines is inefficient. Thus, the renewable energy source 9 is shown as not connected to the energy user of the consuming location 8. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is believed to be a cause of global warming.

The prior art reveals that the world's energy systems have serious drawbacks, including the absence of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) emissions and the satisfactory use of renewable energy, which threatens the world with global warming.

There is a need for a solution to this problem that is easily obtainable, stable in price and quantity and generates energy from a low cost renewable source 9. To address the role of renewable sources and to avoid carbon dioxide emissions, a solution called hydrogen economy is considered.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is schematically shown an energy use system in which natural gas and renewable energy are converted to hydrogen for transportation. Energy from the renewable source 9 is converted into electrical energy provided to an electrolytic cell (not shown) that separates the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen conduit 7 connects a renewable energy source 9 with a consumption location 8 for the transport of hydrogen gas. A reformer can be used to reform the natural gas from the natural gas source 5 into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen conduit 7 connects the natural gas source 5 with the consumption location 8 for hydrogen transport.

In this embodiment, the renewable source uses power to produce hydrogen by electrolysis of water. Hydrogen is then sent to the consumer as a substituent for the hydrocarbon fuel. The product of hydrogen combustion is water, so no carbon dioxide is generated. In addition, fossil fuels are reformed with hydrogen and are suitable for energy demand. The byproduct of the reforming step is carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide in the reforming step is captured or simply emitted. If carbon dioxide is emitted, the hydrogen economy cannot avoid carbon dioxide emissions, and carbon dioxide emissions are simply postponed.

While the hydrogen economy setting seems theoretically valid, there are some concerns about it. First, the entire infrastructure we have must be changed to enable hydrogen to be used as fuel. Second, hydrogen is so bulky that it is difficult to transport or store. Therefore, renewable sources will only be available after this hydrogen infrastructure is in place.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a diagram of a carbon dioxide circuit 25 for transporting hydrogen is shown. This circuit 25 transports hydrogen from point "A" to point "B" to react hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form a product (methane in this preferred embodiment). The diagram of FIG. 4 shows that by using carbon dioxide as the storage medium, hydrogen can be transported from point “A” to point “B” and the carbon dioxide is returned to “recharge” at point “A”. . The premise of the present invention is that transporting the reaction product between carbon dioxide and hydrogen, including hydrocarbons such as methane or oxygenated hydrocarbons such as methanol, and the carbon dioxide to be reacted with hydrogen transfers hydrogen from point "A" to point "B". Is more efficient than transporting them.

Between two points (A, B), transporting one mole of methane from A to B and one mole of carbon dioxide from B to A is more than simply transporting the same amount of hydrogen from A to B. It is cheaper. For example, one mole of carbon dioxide reacts with four moles of hydrogen to produce one mole of methane and two moles of water.

Although the present argument seems counterintuitive, the two main ways of transporting hydrogen are by storage tanks or by pipeline. In the case of storage tanks, it is well known that compressed methane is a higher density energy carrier than hydrogen. Therefore, methane in a given tank will retain more energy than hydrogen at the same pressure. After draining, the hydrogen tank must be returned empty to the source for refilling. The methane tank is instead charged with carbon dioxide in its return path. Carbon dioxide is conveyed with the returned vessel.

In the case of pipelines, methane is more than twice the energy density per unit volume than a given volume of hydrogen at the same pressure. Two given pipelines, the first accepting methane and the second accepting carbon dioxide and moving in the opposite direction, are more energy than a single pipeline of more than twice the size of a methane pipeline containing only hydrogen at the same pressure. Can carry. Since methane is more than twice as large as hydrogen in energy density, the compression cost of both methane gas and carbon dioxide gas is less than that of hydrogen alone.

This argument can be more formally supported by considering: Hydrogen has an energy capacity of 33.90 kilowatt-hours / kilogram. Methane has an energy capacity of 13.44 kilowatt-hours / kilogram. Since 1 mole of hydrogen is 2 grams, it becomes 500 mol of hydrogen per kilogram. One mole of methane is 16 grams, resulting in 62.5 moles of methane per kilogram. On the basis of moles, the energy amount of hydrogen is 0.0678 kilowatt-hours / mol. However, methane has an energy capacity of 0.215 kilowatt-hours / mol. Combustion of one mole of methane generates one mole of carbon dioxide. Considering carbon dioxide, the energy capacity of methane / carbon dioxide is still 0.1075 kilowatt-hours / mol. This is 58% larger than hydrogen. The amount of energy per mole is important because the work needed to compress the gas depends not on the weight of the gas but on the number of moles of the gas. Since methane and carbon dioxide have higher and lower critical pressures, respectively, than methane and carbon dioxide, the energy needed to compress is less than that of hydrogen.

Referring to FIG. 5, a diagram of a carbon dioxide circuit 25 for transporting hydrogen from reactor location 90 to consumption location 80 is shown. The product conduit 60 is in communication with the reactor location 90 and the consumption location 80 for transporting the product, which is methane in this embodiment, from the reactor location 90. The carbon dioxide conduit 70 is in communication with the reactor location 90 and the consumption location 80 for transporting carbon dioxide from the consumption location 80.

The hydrogen economic plan can be modified because it is cheaper to transport methane and carbon dioxide around. Instead of using a single pipe of hydrogen, two pipes for the hydrogen pipe are replaced, one for sending methane from energy generation to energy use and the other for sending carbon dioxide from energy use to energy generation.

At energy consumption location 80, conduit 70 transports carbon dioxide back to reactor location 90, rather than discharging carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Users of large amounts of energy regularly hold carbon dioxide, so the ability to hold carbon dioxide is not a concern, and the concern is to treat the carbon dioxide they hold. Thus, any method known in the art can be used to sequester carbon dioxide. The present invention, which provides an apparatus and method for the storage and transport of hydrogen, also provides a requirement for carbon dioxide.

With reference to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of an operating element according to the principles of the present invention is shown. Reactor 40, which is a Sabatier reactor in this embodiment, is in communication with a hydrogen source 20 and a carbon dioxide source 30, forming a product, in particular methane. Although a Sabatier reactor is disclosed herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable alternative may be used, including but not limited to photo-electrolysis devices.

The generation of hydrogen for the present invention is accomplished by an electrolytic cell that dissociates water by injecting a current to form hydrogen and oxygen as by-products. For example, 9 kilograms of water will produce 8 kilograms of oxygen and 1 kilogram of hydrogen, as described by the chemical scheme below.

4H ₂ O → 2O ₂ + 4H ₂

The Sabatier reactor is usually simply a metal tube containing a catalyst such as nickel or ruthenium. Hydrogen exothermicly reacts with retained carbon dioxide to produce methane and water. Sabatier reactors are exothermic and energy is lost in the system. When hydrogen reacts with carbon dioxide, about 79% of the amount of hydrogen energy is stored as methane and the rest is released as heat. Some of the lower heat released by the Sabatier reactor can be used for other purposes. For example, 5.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide reacted with 1 kilogram of hydrogen will produce 2 kilograms of methane and 4.5 kilograms of water, as described in the chemical scheme below.

CO ₂ + 4H ₂ → CH ₄ + 2H ₂ O

Overall, renewable energy sites can have a efficiency of 70-90% in producing only hydrogen, while using CO ₂ as a carrier can have a efficiency of 60-80% in producing methane according to the principles disclosed herein. .

7 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to the principles of the invention. Energy from the renewable energy source 15 is used to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. As such, the renewable energy source 15 functions as a hydrogen source by dissociating water. Conduit 70 is in communication with the reactor to transport carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source to the reactor (not shown in this figure). This reactor causes hydrogen to react with carbon dioxide to form a product, in which the product is methane.

Conduit 60 transports the product to the consumption location 80. At consumption site 80 the product is consumed in the presence of oxygen to produce water and carbon dioxide as by-products. In this embodiment, the consumption location 80 is a carbon dioxide source, which is used by the reactor to convert hydrogen into a product, such as a hydrocarbon or an oxygenated hydrocarbon. Carbon dioxide itself is used as a storage medium for hydrogen. In addition, renewable energy sources provide methane as a fuel source rather than low quality and intermittent electrical energy. Natural gas forms of methane have long been transported in thousands of miles of pipelines, such as those extending from Louisiana to Michigan. Alternatively, it is uneconomical for electricity to transmit more than a few hundred miles due to the loss of resistance in the wires. Moreover, no carbon dioxide is released into the environment, which provides an environmental advantage.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a schematic diagram of a device according to the invention is shown, showing an embodiment for hydrogen transport. The electrolyzer 35 receives energy and water from the energy source 35 to produce hydrogen. As such, the electrolyzer 35 is a hydrogen source in communication with the reactor 40. Reactor 40 is located at reactor location 90, which may be any suitable location. The carbon dioxide source 30 provides carbon dioxide to the reactor 40. Reactor 40 causes hydrogen to react with carbon dioxide to form product 50 selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. Product conduit 60 is in communication with reactor 40 and transports product 50 to consumption location 80. The carbon dioxide conduit 70 is in communication with the consumption location 80 and transports carbon dioxide to the reactor location 90.

8B, there is shown a schematic diagram of a device according to the invention, which shows an embodiment for hydrogen storage. The electrolyzer 35 receives energy from the renewable energy source 15 to provide a hydrogen source to the reactor 40. Reactor 40 combines hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form product 50 that is stored in a tank (not shown) or any suitable apparatus provided at storage location 85. The product conduit 60 is in communication with the reactor and transports the product from the reactor location 90 to the storage location 85 for later use. If energy demand requires product 50 for consumption, product conduit 65 can be used to transfer product 50 to consumption location 80.

Once product 50 is consumed, carbon dioxide from consumption location 80 is transferred to storage location 87 for storage in a tank (not shown) provided at storage location 87 or any suitable apparatus. Storage location 87 functions as a carbon dioxide source 30.

With reference to FIG. 8C, a schematic diagram of a device according to the invention is shown, showing an alternative embodiment for carbon dioxide storage. The electrolyzer 35 receives energy from the renewable energy source 35 to provide a hydrogen source to the reactor 40. Reactor 40 combines hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form product 50 that is stored in a tank (not shown) provided in reservoir 85 or in any suitable apparatus. The product conduit 60 is in communication with the reactor 40 and can transport the product 50 from the reactor location 90 to the storage location 85 for later use. When energy demand requires product 50 for consumption, product conduit 65 may be used to transport product 50 to consumption location 80.

Once the product 50 is consumed, the carbon dioxide from the consumption position 80 can be transported, discharged or sequestered back to the reactor 40 depending on the condition of the control valve 75. Alternatively, carbon dioxide may be extracted from a carbon dioxide source 30, such as a thermal power generator, an underground oilfield or ethanol manufacturing facility, and sent to the reactor 40 by a control valve 75, sequestered or discharged. It should be noted that, in the present invention, any suitable technique known in the art for storing and extracting carbon dioxide may be used.

Thus, the present invention combines carbon dioxide as a "hydrogen carrier" that circulates within the system of the present invention rather than being released into the atmosphere. In addition, the present invention is expensive for the capture of carbon dioxide (as in vehicles), and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when it can be replaced by carbon dioxide, which can be easily retained from non-consumption locations, such as from ethanol manufacturing facilities. To be possible.

The invention can be adapted for a motor vehicle, which is driven by the product formed by the invention rather than hydrogen. For this adaptation, carbon dioxide by combustion during use can be retained. Retrofitting this object to a custom vehicle can be achieved by providing a plurality of tanks in which at least one tank comprises the product formed by the invention and at least another tank is for accommodating carbon dioxide.

Refueling can be accomplished by emptying the tank containing CO ₂ and refilling the empty tank with methane. The released CO ₂ may then be stored or provided to the production reactor. The storage and transportation system of the present invention solves the problems associated with automotive fuel cells, the storage and release of liquefied hydrogen.

The vehicle, which is the first consumption location, may also emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as long as it is replaced by another source of consumption, such as ethanol production, which is a non-consumption location, or another consumption location. The vehicle may also partially retain the carbon dioxide produced by the partial advantage as a result of recovering the carbon dioxide.

Although methane, the product formed by reacting hydrogen and carbon dioxide, is mentioned in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, any hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon can replace methane.

While not wishing to be bound by theory, more complex hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, and butane may also be desirable for hydrogen storage, such as storing methane more complex than methane in such a way that methane is stored more densely than hydrogen. Because will be easier.

The current infrastructure supports natural gas for use, but the tank storage infrastructure is clearly advanced for propane, C ₃ H ₈ . Ethane, C ₂ H ₆ , seems to be more difficult to store than propane, and is more expensive to produce than methane.

Formation of octane C ₈ H ₁₈ from electrolyzed hydrogen is prohibited in cost but is considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Alcohols are thought to be inferior to alkanes, CH ₄ , C ₂ H ₆ , C ₃ H ₈ , but the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons containing alcohols is also considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Ethylene, C ₂ H ₄ may also be a product within the scope of the present invention. Ethylene is an alkene because it has a carbon double bond. Liquefied ethylene or ethane C ₂ H ₆ may be stored at about 1200 psi at room temperature as compared to 7500 psi for methane. Ethylene may also be modified with, for example, ethane or propane using a Sabatier reactor, which may be stored at room temperature at 250 psi.

Carbon dioxide is heavier than methane, but liquefies under compression at much lower pressures. Carbon dioxide needs to be compressed to about 1000 psi to be retained as a liquid at room temperature. Methane requires a pressure of 5000-7500 psi at room temperature for high density storage. Hydrogen cannot be stored as a liquid at room temperature.

Although a renewable energy source for generating hydrogen from water is disclosed herein, any hydrogen source known in the art may be substituted for water.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes the preferred structure and control system for the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from this discussion and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true spirit and obvious scope of the invention.

The apparatus and method of the present invention can be used to provide a cost effective means of storing hydrogen without consuming significant amounts of energy to compress or liquefy a gas.

1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional energy usage system in which methane is used as fuel and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional energy usage system in which no renewable energy source is included as part of a fuel supply, and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

3 is a schematic diagram of an energy usage system showing the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when natural gas is converted to hydrogen when natural and renewable energy is converted to hydrogen for transportation.

4 is a diagram of a methane / carbon dioxide circuit that transports hydrogen from point “A” to point “B” compared to transporting hydrogen from point “A” to point “B”.

5 is a diagram of a carbon dioxide circuit that transports hydrogen from an energy generation location to an energy use location.

6 is a schematic representation of an operating element according to the principles of the present invention showing a Sabatier reactor in communication with a hydrogen source and a carbon dioxide source, forming a product, in particular methane.

7 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

8A is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing an embodiment of hydrogen transport.

8B is a schematic representation of an alternative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing an embodiment of hydrogen storage.

8C is a schematic diagram of an alternative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing an embodiment of carbon dioxide storage.

Claims (23)

Hydrogen source; Carbon dioxide source; A reactor in communication with said hydrogen source and said carbon dioxide source for reacting hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form a product selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxidized hydrocarbons; And A conduit in communication with the reactor for transporting the product to either a consumption or storage location Hydrogen transport apparatus comprising a. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conduit in communication with a consumption location for transporting carbon dioxide to either the reactor location or the storage location. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reactor is a Sabatier reactor. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen source is water. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the renewable energy from the renewable energy source is used to dissociate water to form hydrogen. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carbon dioxide source is a consumption location. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the product is methane. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein carbon dioxide from the first consumption location is emitted to the atmosphere and the carbon dioxide source may be a second consumption location or a non-consumption location. Providing a source of hydrogen; Providing a carbon dioxide source; Transferring hydrogen and carbon dioxide to the reactor; Reacting hydrogen with carbon dioxide to form a product selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxidized hydrocarbons; And Transporting the product to either a consumption location or a storage location Hydrogen transport method comprising a. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising transporting carbon dioxide from the consumption site to either the reactor location or the storage location. The method of claim 10, wherein said hydrogen source is water. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising dissociating water to form hydrogen using renewable energy from the renewable energy source. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a first consumption location and receiving carbon dioxide from either the second consumption location or the non-consumption location. Hydrogen source; Carbon dioxide source; A reactor in communication with said hydrogen source and said carbon dioxide source for reacting hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form a product selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxidized hydrocarbons; And Storage device in communication with the reactor for storing the product Hydrogen storage device comprising a. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a conduit in communication with a consumption location for transporting carbon dioxide to either the reactor or the storage device. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the reactor is a Sabatier reactor. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said hydrogen source is a renewable energy source. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the renewable energy from the renewable energy source is used to dissociate water to form hydrogen. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the carbon dioxide source is a consumption location. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the product is methane. Providing a predetermined amount of hydrogen; Providing a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide; Transferring hydrogen and carbon dioxide to the reactor; Reacting a predetermined amount of hydrogen with a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide to form a product selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and oxidized hydrocarbons; And Storing the product Hydrogen storage method using carbon dioxide as a storage medium comprising a. 22. The process of claim 21 wherein hydrogen and carbon dioxide are reacted by a Sabatier reactor. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein hydrogen and carbon dioxide are reacted by a photo-electrolysis device.