Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen, designated as h on the periodic table of the elements, is the simplest and most abundant of all the elements. A hydrogen atom consists of a single proton and an electron, and has the lowest density of all known matter. Hydrogen molecules combine to form a stable molecule of two hydrogen atoms and their associated electrons.

Hydrogen is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas (H2) that is not very reactive at ordinary temperature levels. It burns with a very hot, almost invisible flame, and can be used as a fuel in nuclear fusion and by chemical reactions. Nuclear fusion occurs with Deuterium combining at the proton level to form helium.

Hydrogen comprises most of the matter in the sun, which generates light by a process of nuclear fusion that combines hydrogen atoms into helium atoms. The amount of energy generated is enormous. Nuclear fusion has been weaponized in hydrogen bombs. However, the process has yet to be accomplished under controlled conditions so that energy can be obtained.

Hydrogen as a part of an energy-providing chemical reaction is simpler to accomplish than nuclear fusion. It is used in the production of synthetic ammonia, methanol, in the refining of petroleum, and as rocket fuel. The combination of hydrogen and oxygen is water (H2O), which is a clean emission.

Hydrogen in the presence of oxygen is an explosive mixture if a spark ignites the mixture. The combustible nature of hydrogen was demonstrated when the zeppelin The Hindenburg exploded on May 6, 1937 at Lakehurst, New Jersey, while attempting to dock, killing 35 people and injuring others. The Hindenburg was held aloft by hydrogen gas, but was not using it as a fuel.

Pure hydrogen is a fuel for the oxygen-hydrogen torch. Pure hydrogen has also been a major fuel in the U.S. space program. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen have been used on the second and third stages of the Apollo mission flights, and in other rockets.

Hydrogen gas is rare on earth. It must be extracted from water, hydrocarbons, coal, or biomass. To produce hydrogen from coal, it must be reduced to slurry, then calcium carbonate has to [Page 900]be used in reactions to free the hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen can be obtained from other sources, but most hydrogen is produced from natural gas. Research is being conducted to use one of several species of purple bacteria in the production of hydrogen, and other exotic methods are being explored. Hydrogen is present in most fuels as free hydrogen or hydrogen combined with other elements. Fuels abundant in hydrogen include coal gas, oil gas, natural gas, and other forms of methane.

The storage of hydrogen is a problem because it must be stored as a high-pressure gas or as cold liquid hydrogen and kept at a temperature just above absolute zero. Or, it can be kept as a slush of cold liquid and frozen solid hydrogen.