Hydrogen Production and Use

Methods of Hydrogen Production Splitting water (H 2 O) into Splitting water (H 2 O) into Hydrogen (H 2 ) Oxygen (O)

Methods of Hydrogen Production The most common method involves steam reforming of methane (from natural gas). The most common method involves steam reforming of methane (from natural gas). Steam reforming converts methane (and other hydrocarbons in natural gas) into hydrogen and carbon monoxide by reaction with steam over a nickel catalyst.Steam reforming converts methane (and other hydrocarbons in natural gas) into hydrogen and carbon monoxide by reaction with steam over a nickel catalyst.

Methods of Hydrogen Production Other methods include: Other methods include: Electrolysis, where electrical current is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.Electrolysis, where electrical current is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Methods of Hydrogen Production Thermal water splitting,which uses a very high temperature (approximately 1000°C) to split water. Thermal water splitting,which uses a very high temperature (approximately 1000°C) to split water. Gasification, which uses heat to break down biomass or coal into a gas from which pure hydrogen can be generated. Gasification, which uses heat to break down biomass or coal into a gas from which pure hydrogen can be generated.

Barriers to Hydrogen Use Cost is the biggest impediment to using hydrogen more widely as a fuel. Cost is the biggest impediment to using hydrogen more widely as a fuel.

Barriers to Hydrogen Use Expensive changes must be made in our nation's energy infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen. Expensive changes must be made in our nation's energy infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen. For example, electricity is required by many hydrogen production methods, which makes hydrogen more expensive than the fuels it would replace. For example, electricity is required by many hydrogen production methods, which makes hydrogen more expensive than the fuels it would replace.

The Future of Hydrogen Presently, there are few hydrogen fueled vehicles available for sale to the general public. Presently, there are few hydrogen fueled vehicles available for sale to the general public. It is estimated that in years; hydrogen vehicles, and the infrastructure to support them, will start to make an impact. It is estimated that in years; hydrogen vehicles, and the infrastructure to support them, will start to make an impact.

References U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy cells/hydrogen/basics.html U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy cells/hydrogen/basics.html Alternative Fuels Data Center Alternative Fuels Data Center