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 Although hydrogen is abundant in the universe, on earth it normally doesn't exist by itself. It combines with other elements to form compounds and is produced by separating the elements that it is attached to. In the case of water (H2O), electricity is used to split the hydrogen (H2) from the oxygen (O) in a process called electrolysis. In industrial applications, high temperature steam (between 700 - 900° C) separates hydrogen from carbon atoms in natural gas (CH4). This method of hydrogen production is called steam reforming. Other methods of hydrogen production are photelectrolysis (using sunlight to split water molecules), biomass gasification (superheating wood chips and agricultural waste) and the use of sunlight on bacteria and algae under certain conditions. These methods are experimental and not commercially viable at this time. Today, the U.S. safely uses about 90 billion cubic meters (3.2 trillion cubic feet) of hydrogen annually, almost all of which is produced at oil refineries or by the chemical industry using steam reforming of natural gas. This hydrogen is used primarily for refining petroleum and for making industrial commodities, such as ammonia.
As demand for hydrogen rises beyond its industrial uses, a new and cost effective technology will have to be developed that can produce hydrogen as an energy carrier for the mass markets. This new technology has to overcome numerous challenges such as large size, weight and cost, high temperature requirements for the process and other associated obstacles such as slow start ups, transient response capabilities, storage and transportation issues. To see how PowerNova's hydrogen production technology overcomes these challenges, click here.
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