Chapter 10, Hydrogen Production

摘要: Publisher Summary Though extremely abundant, hydrogen, unlike fossil fuels, is not a source of energy. Much the existing hydrogen in form water—hydrogen ash—and considerable energy required to extract desired element. Hydrogen is, at best, an excellent vector It holds great promise as fuel for land and sea vehicles, especially when used high-efficiency cells, large air- spacecraft owing its high energy-to-weight ratio cryogenic form, industrial domestic generation heat electricity, means transporting quantities over long distances. The advantages include low pollution—i.e., burns cleanly, producing only water. true that, depending on flame temperature burned air, small amounts nitrogen oxides may also be generated. Pollution, however, associated with some production processes controllability—i.e., ambient temperatures, reacts slowly oxygen. Catalysts permit adjusting reaction speed range from very low-temperature flames intense ones. Accumulation points equipment or buildings can prevented by installing catalysts that cause (relatively) slow oxidation gas conversion Odorants such mercaptans added alert people any escaping gas.