Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless and highly flammable diatomic gas with the molecular formula H2.
With an atomic weight of 1.00794, hydrogen is the lightest element.
Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the universe’s elemental mass. Hydrogen gas (dihydrogen) is highly combustible and will burn in air at a very wide range of concentrations between 4% and 75% by volume.
What is the difference between Hydrogen Tech. & Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tech.?
1.) Hydrogen Fuel Cell is when the gas is introduced into a solid fuel or catalyst like aluminum oxide with oxygen. The reaction releases electrons (electricity 1.5 v) that can be used to run an electrical unit. This unit can be multiplied to get more power.
2.) Hydrogen can be combusted like any other gas, for combustion engines.
Units can be constructed fairly easily, to produce the gas, either by electrolysis or chemical methods. Here is a simple schematic of an electrolizer for producing hydrogen from water(Brown’s Gas) H2 + O, seperated.
A Little History
In the days of alchemy, Theophrastus Paracelsus (1493-1541) noted that when iron reacts with sulfuric acid, “an air arises which bursts forth like the wind.” Then in 1700, Nicholas Lemery demonstrated that this invisible “wind” would burn when ignited. Henry Cavendish (1731-1810) experimented with the gas and determined many of its physical properties, called it “flammable air” and noted that burning it produced “nothing but water.” But it was Antoine Laurent Lavoisier who, in 1783, named the element, Hydrogen – Greek term “hydro-generator” or “water producer.”
A well developed process of breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen gases involves the passage of electrical current through water, commonly referred as “electrolysis” can be carried out at ambient temperatures. Elevating the temp reduces the voltage required for dissociation. The electrical power needed for this can be obtained from falling water, wind generators, wave power, solar photovoltaic systems.
Various additional methods involve the use of chemical reagents to release hydrogen from water, if performed with heat, are called “thermo chemical reactions.” If both are involved with the use of electricity, is called “thermo electro chemical process.”
For more information on research and development, see U.S Department of Energy on Hydrogen. (Click here for)>>>
The Solar Hydrogen Civilization: The Future of Energy Is the Future of Our Global Economy
Here’s one man who’s implementing this concept (Video below)
Glenn Beck did an segment a few years back on CNN
Prof. Jerry Woodall PH.D. of Purdue University pulls hydrogen from water chemically. The actual process: gallium and aluminum combining, add water, rapid oxidation. stir of bubbles of hydrogen with only white aluminum oxide. As demonstrated by John Woodall – Jerry M. Woodall, National Medal of Technology Laureate, Distinguished Professor of School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN http://hydrogen.ecn.purdue.edu/
But has an obstacle called Dept. of Energy for some strange reason?
Here’s an in depth lecture from Prof. Jerry Woodall PH.D
Energy R&D at a University
Aluminum oxide is the waste by product of this process and can be used in hydrogen fuel cells as an catalyst.