Hydrogen Production and Use Methods of Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen Production and Use

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

Methods of Hydrogen Production n 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.

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

Methods of Hydrogen Production n n 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.

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

Barriers to Hydrogen Use n n 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.

The Future of Hydrogen n n Presently, there are few hydrogen fueled vehicles available for sale to the general public. It is estimated that in 10 -20 years; hydrogen vehicles, and the infrastructure to support them, will start to make an impact.

References n U. S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy http: //www. eere. energy. gov/hydrogenandfuel cells/hydrogen/basics. html n Alternative Fuels Data Center http: //www. afdc. nrel. gov/altfuel/hydr_market. html