How is Hydrogen energy made?

Answer 1

There are several ways to make hydrogen fuel.

The most basic, and easiest way is through electrolysis of water. An electric current is run through water, and the electricity causes the hydrogen atoms to separate(or disassociate) from the oxygen atoms in the water. The gasses bubble to the surface, and are separated by density. The result is H2 and O2 gas in a volume ratio of 2:1. Because of how simple this, many people see a demonstration of this in high school chemistry. Because if the amount of electricity required, this method is not used for industrial scale production of hydrogen fuel.

Another way to produce hydrogen, also seen in chemistry class, is the old Sodium and water trick. When Sodium, or another alkaline metal, is put into water, an aggressive disassociation reaction takes place: The oxygen separates from the water molecules, and joins with the sodium atoms, forming a sodium-oxide. This produces hydrogen gas and a large amount of heat. Because of the heat and the oxygen in the air, the hydrogen immediately ignites, forming more water. It is this ignition that makes the trademark explosions we all remember from chemistry class. Under normal conditions, this method is unsuitable for the mass production of hydrogen, as the hydrogen is immediately burned. But if the reaction takes place in an oxygen free atmosphere, under a partial vacuum, then the hydrogen can be collected an stored. This method is surprisingly efficient, requiring minimal additional electricity, sodium (or other alkaline metal) and water. The required equipment can fit into the average gas pump. In fact, there is a company in Denmark that, as of 2006, was producing machines using this process to make hydrogen to run hydrogen fuel-cell cars.

The most common industrial method for the production of hydrogen is vaporization of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are made of hydrocarbons, containing hydrogen and carbon. To separate the hydrogen, the hydrocarbon(usually natural gas) is super heated until the chemical bonds in the hydrocarbon molecules are overpowered and fly apart, producing hydrogen gas and carbon based waste products(usually CO and CO2). The hydrogen is collected, and the waste products are usually discharged into the atmosphere. This is the primary stumbling point for environmentalists regarding hydrogen fuel cell technology: It still pollutes, and still requires fossil fuels. It's also not very efficient, requiring a lot of additional energy to pull of. The reason it is so common today is because fossil fuels are so common and easy to produce. Even with the rising price of fossil fuels and awareness of the negative effects of burning them on the environment, there is little motivation in the industry to make any changes.

Another way to make hydrogen fuel is completely natural; pond scum. Anyone who's been to a swamp or pond may notice a strange smell. This smell comes from two gases produced by the pond scum(algae): Ozone(O3) and Hydrogen(H2). The algae produces the gases through its metabolic processes. In some places the hydrogen is released at levels high enough to be flammable, or even explosive. As far as I know, there are no large scale operations using this method, although there are research projects at several major universities. It would be the most efficient method, requiring only water, algae, and sunlight, but because of the limited rate of the process, any operation would have be massive in scale for industrial production, requiring a huge amount of capital to get started.

Answer 2

Hydrogen energy can be produced through a process called electrolysis, where electricity is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Another method is through steam methane reforming, where hydrogen is extracted from natural gas. Both processes require energy inputs, with electrolysis often relying on renewable sources to be considered a clean energy solution.

Answer 3

Hydrogen (H2) is being aggressively explored as a fuel for passenger vehicles. It can be used in fuel cells to power electric motors or burned in internal combustion engines (ICEs).

It is an environmentally friendly fuel that has the potential to dramatically reduce our dependence on imported oil, but several significant challenges must be overcome before it can be widely used.

<<>>

Free hydrogen can be used as a fuel because it gives up heat energy on being combined (burned) with oxygen to form water.

Since most hydrogen is already combined with other elements, energy must be used to separate the hydrogen gas out from the compounds where it is found. Water is a common source of hydrogen, and electrolysis is used to separate the two free gases.

It is this same energy which is released when the hydrogen is used as a fuel.

Hydrogen has problems when used for transport because it is one of the most highly explosive substances available. As it is a very light atom, hydrogen needs extreme compression when used in a fuel tank.

Answer 4

One method is the electrolysis of water.

In simple terms an electric current is passed through a vat of water which breaks down water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. The two gases are collected and compressed.

Answer 5

A fuel cell is not an engine, and it is not a battery. But it powers a vehicle because it is a little like each of them.

A battery stores chemical energy until the energy is needed; it then converts the chemical energy into electrical energy. A gas engine doesn't store energy. Instead, an external tank provides the proper fuel necessary to create usable energy.

Fuel cell cars need fuel provided by an external tank, like a gas engine, but it converts chemical energy into electrical energy like a battery

Answer 6

Hydrogen energy is produced in the form of electricity most commonly (unless it is combusted) through a hydrogen fuel cell.

The fuel cell operates by a reaction between the fuel (hydrogen in this case) and an oxidant in the presence of an electrolyte. The electrolyte carries the electricity to an external circuit.

Answer 7

The sun is basically a giant ball of hydrogen and helium gases. In the sun's core, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium atoms. This process - called fusion - gives off radiant energy and is how hydrogen energy is formed.

Answer 8

Yes. There are two ways that hydrogen can be used as a fuel. It can either be burnt in an internal combustion engine, or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in fuel cells, the only byproduct being water. However, the drawbacks of using hydrogen as a fuel is, low energy content per unit volume, high tankage weights, very high storage vessel pressures, the storage, transportation and filling of gaseous or liquid hydrogen in vehicles, the large investment in infrastructure that would be required to fuel vehicles, and the inefficiency of production processes.

Answer 9

Hydrogen is an element.A basic unit of matter.

Answer 10

How is hydrogen made into fuel.

(WOW DUDE. Your answer sucks!)