Hydrogen gas is increasingly used in various industrial sectors. Let MIGCO explore how to produce hydrogen gas (H2) or how hydrogen is prepared in industry.
Hydrogen is a light gas, and the hydrogen element is in the first group of the periodic table. It is the lightest element, so hydrogen gas (H2) is very light, and we rarely find it in its pure form.
Hydrogen is used as a fuel to replace gasoline and diesel in rocket engines, as an oxyhydrogen flame for welding and cutting metals, and in the production of organic compounds, acids, and ammonia. Because of its wide range of applications, the demand for hydrogen gas is increasing, so how is hydrogen H2 produced?
How to produce hydrogen gas
Humans are constantly seeking ways to produce H2 or create hydrogen gas, even though hydrogen exists abundantly on Earth. However, it mainly exists in elemental form or as part of other compounds such as water. Therefore, hydrogen must be separated from water or other compounds before it can be used.
Hydrogen gas can be produced from various resources, including simple methods of generating hydrogen from fossil fuels, biomass, and the electrolysis of water into hydrogen. The environmental impact and energy efficiency of hydrogen depend on how it is produced.
Methods of producing hydrogen in industry:
Some common methods of producing hydrogen in industry include: water electrolysis, using coal to reduce oxygen from H2O in coal gasification, and producing H2 from natural gas and petroleum gas,…
Method of generating hydrogen gas from natural gas:
When natural gases react with steam at high temperatures, the products are synthesis gas, carbon monoxide, a small amount of carbon dioxide, and a mixture of hydrogen.
Carbon monoxide will react with water to produce more H2. This method of generating hydrogen is the cheapest and most effective and accounts for the majority of hydrogen gas produced annually worldwide.
A synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is also created by reacting coal or biomass with steam and oxygen at high temperatures in a gasifier, converting them into gaseous components.
This process is called gasification or hydrogasification by reacting with steam to separate hydrogen.
Electrolysis of water into hydrogen:
This is a method of producing hydrogen gas by using an electric current to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. If the electricity is produced from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, the resulting hydrogen gas is renewable.
Method of producing hydrogen by reforming renewable liquids:
Renewable liquid fuels such as ethanol are reacted with steam at high temperatures to produce hydrogen gas near the point of use.
Method of generating hydrogen gas through fermentation:
Biomass will be converted into sugar-rich materials, which can then be fermented to produce hydrogen.
Some other methods of producing H2 being researched and developed:
- Method of extracting hydrogen gas by thermal decomposition of water: High temperatures generated by solar energy or nuclear reactors will create a chemical reaction to split water to produce hydrogen.
- Photobiological water splitting: Microorganisms such as green algae will consume water in the presence of sunlight and produce hydrogen gas as a byproduct.
- Hydrogen produced from pure water: Photoelectrochemical systems will generate hydrogen from water using special semiconductors and solar energy.
How is hydrogen gas currently supplied?
Currently, hydrogen gas is distributed to customers and agents through three methods:
- Pipelines: This is the cheapest way for producers to supply large volumes of hydrogen.
- Compressed gas cylinders, H2 cylinders: Transporting hydrogen gas to customers with low volume needs.
- Liquefied hydrogen tanks: The liquefaction process allows for more efficient transportation of hydrogen gas.
Applications of hydrogen fuel
Hydrogen is considered a safe fuel source that does not cause any environmental incidents like nuclear energy, which has caused many radioactive leaks in recent years.
Hydrogen fuel can be used to power rocket engines, cars, boats, and airplanes. Mobile fuel cell applications or stationary fuel cell applications provide power to electric motors.
Hydrogen is used to produce electricity to replace fossil fuels in fuel cells. These fuel cells operate on the principle opposite to the hydrogen production process.
That is, if water is supplied with a certain amount of energy, the process of producing hydrogen and oxygen occurs. Conversely, if hydrogen and oxygen gases are combined under certain conditions, we obtain water and a corresponding amount of energy, which is electrical energy.
Hydrogen and fuel cells are key to solving the problem of atmospheric pollution and minimizing global climate change. Contact us if you have any questions about how to generate hydrogen gas or the 5 methods of producing hydrogen in industry and when you need to buy H2 gas.
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