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HYDROGEN |
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| What is Hydrogen? How is Hydrogen Made? Hydrogen Market Benefits Research and Development Other Resources Hydrogen gas (H2) is being explored for use in combustion engines and fuel-cell electric vehicles. It is a gas at normal temperatures and pressures, which presents greater transportation and storage hurdles than exist for the liquid fuels. Storage systems being developed include compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, and chemical bonding between hydrogen and a storage material (for example, metal hydrides). While no transportation distribution system currently exists, for hydrogen transportation use, the ability to create the fuel from a variety of resources and its clean-burning properties make it a desirable alternative fuel. Chemical Properties: The simplest and lightest fuel is hydrogen gas (H2). Hydrogen is in a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures. Fuel hydrogen is not pure hydrogen gas. It has small amounts of oxygen and other materials. See the fuel properties table (PDF: 116 KB) for more information. Two methods are generally used to produce hydrogen: (1) electrolysis and (2) synthesis gas production from steam reforming or partial oxidation. Electrolysis uses electrical energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrical energy can come from any electricity production sources including renewable fuels. DOE has concluded that electrolysis is unlikely to become the predominant method for large quantities of hydrogen production in the future. The predominant method for producing synthesis gas is steam reforming of natural gas, although other hydrocarbons can be used as feedstocks. For example, biomass and coal can be gasified and used in a steam reforming process to create hydrogen. A distribution system for hydrogen as a transportation fuel does not exist. While pipeline transportation is generally the most economic means of transporting gaseous fuels, a pipeline system is currently not in place. Transportation of Hydrogen is typically in canisters and tanker trucks. To learn more about hydrogen vehicles, go to the AFDC Hydrogen Vehicle Page. Hydrogen has many benefits, which are outlined nicely on the National Hydrogen Association's Web Site's Hydrogen Benefits Page. There are two major DOE programs dedicated to hydrogen research and development—the DOE Hydrogen Program and the Hydrogen Technologies Information Network.
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