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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.
What else can I help you with?
Where does the energy to move hydrogen ions across the thylakoids membrane come from?
Concentration gradient is made first.Solar energy is used.
How are the organic compounds in living things different from one another?
A carbohydrate is an energy-rich organic compound made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Like carbohydrates, lipids are energy-rich organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Lipids contain even more energy than carbohydrates. Proteins are large organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and, in some cases, sulfur. Nucleic acids are very long organic molecules made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
What biomolecule is made of Oxygen Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen and provides your body with energy?
All sugar molecules are made of those three elements.
Which does the electron tranportchain do during cellular respiration?
it provides energy that powers the formation of atp
What is second ionization energy of hydrogen?
hydrogen has only one electron so after you remove that electron you do not have any electrons left to remove so hydrogen doesn't have a 2nd ionization energy. hydrogen has 1 proton and 1 electron.
What energy is the sun made of?
the suns energy comes from a hydrogen particle smashing in to another hydrogen particle and creates helium, however during this proses it causes heat and light energy and that is what the suns energy is made of
Is the sun made out of energy?
People say it's made out of energy, but that is wrong. It's made out of Hydrogen and powered by fusion.
What is the sun's energy made up of?
the suns energy comes from a hydrogen particle smashing in to another hydrogen particle and creates helium, however during this proses it causes heat and light energy and that is what the suns energy is made of
What word means a nutrient made of carbon hydrogen and oxygen and that supplies energy?
carbohydrate
Where does the energy to move hydrogen ions across the thylakoids membrane come from?
Concentration gradient is made first.Solar energy is used.
What is the energy source for hydrogen?
the energy source for hydrogen is semen ;)
How are the organic compounds in living things different from one another?
A carbohydrate is an energy-rich organic compound made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Like carbohydrates, lipids are energy-rich organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Lipids contain even more energy than carbohydrates. Proteins are large organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and, in some cases, sulfur. Nucleic acids are very long organic molecules made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Is Hydrogen a renewable or nonrenewable energy source?
Hydrogen is a nonrenewable source of energy when used for nuclear fusion (which is still not a technologically attainable power generation mechanism). When used as an energy carrier for oxidation (e.g. fuel cell, and internal combustion engine) hydrogen is not an energy source. In such applications, hydrogen is a man-made resource.
Why is hydrogen an excellent energy source?
It isn't - there are no large deposits of hydrogen anywhere. Hydrogen can be used for energy STORAGE.
Is the sun made out of burning gas?
No, the sun is made primarily of hydrogen and helium, not burning gas. The sun's energy comes from nuclear fusion in its core, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing energy in the process.
What type of energy is the sun's energy source?
hydrogen fusion
What are cabohydrates made up of?
Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They are the body's main source of energy and can be found in foods such as bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.
