Solar Industry
5/29/13
Alternative Fuels Data Center: Hydrogen Basics
U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center
Hydrogen Basics
Hydrogen (H2 ) is a potentially emissionsfree alternative fuel that can be produced from domestic resources. Although not widely used today as a transportation fuel, government and industry research and development are working toward the goal of clean, economical, and safe hydrogen production and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe. At Earthsurface temperatures and pressures, it is a colorless, odorless gas (H2 ). However, hydrogen is rarely found alone in nature. It is usually bonded with other elements. For more information, see fuel properties and the Hydrogen Analysis Resource Center. Very little hydrogen gas is present in the Earth's atmosphere. Hydrogen is locked up in enormous quantities in water (H2 O), hydrocarbons (such as methane, CH4 ), and other organic matter. Efficiently producing hydrogen from these compounds is one of the challenges of using hydrogen as a fuel. Currently, steam reforming of methane (natural gas) accounts for about 95% of the hydrogen produced in the United States. Almost all of the approximately 9 million tons of hydrogen produced here each year are used for refining petroleum, treating metals, producing fertilizer, and processing foods. Hydrogen has been used for space flight since the 1950s. Learn more about hydrogen and fuel cells from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Hydrogen also can be used to fuel internal combustion engines and fuel cells, both of which can power zero to nearzeroemissions vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Major research and development efforts are aimed at making hydrogen fuel cell vehicles practical for widespread use. Additionally, hydrogen can be blended with natural gas to create hythane, a transportation fuel for use in natural gas
Alternative Fuels Data Center: Hydrogen Basics
U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center
Hydrogen Basics
Hydrogen (H2 ) is a potentially emissionsfree alternative fuel that can be produced from domestic resources. Although not widely used today as a transportation fuel, government and industry research and development are working toward the goal of clean, economical, and safe hydrogen production and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe. At Earthsurface temperatures and pressures, it is a colorless, odorless gas (H2 ). However, hydrogen is rarely found alone in nature. It is usually bonded with other elements. For more information, see fuel properties and the Hydrogen Analysis Resource Center. Very little hydrogen gas is present in the Earth's atmosphere. Hydrogen is locked up in enormous quantities in water (H2 O), hydrocarbons (such as methane, CH4 ), and other organic matter. Efficiently producing hydrogen from these compounds is one of the challenges of using hydrogen as a fuel. Currently, steam reforming of methane (natural gas) accounts for about 95% of the hydrogen produced in the United States. Almost all of the approximately 9 million tons of hydrogen produced here each year are used for refining petroleum, treating metals, producing fertilizer, and processing foods. Hydrogen has been used for space flight since the 1950s. Learn more about hydrogen and fuel cells from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Hydrogen also can be used to fuel internal combustion engines and fuel cells, both of which can power zero to nearzeroemissions vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Major research and development efforts are aimed at making hydrogen fuel cell vehicles practical for widespread use. Additionally, hydrogen can be blended with natural gas to create hythane, a transportation fuel for use in natural gas