HOW CAN HYDROGEN BE PRODUCED FROM WATER AND SUNLIGHT

ML - The way the world works - analyzing how things work

Hydrogen can be produced from water and sunlight in two ways: 1 Thermal, in a highly purified reactor, using electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, or hydro) to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, and using the heat from this process to generate steam 2 Photoelectrolysis, a method for producing hydrogen by using sunlight to catalyze electrolysis of water In either process, the only waste product is pure water WHERE CAN WE FIND HYDROGEN? Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe It is not a fossil fuel and is not derived from any oil or natural gas There are several methods of extracting hydrogen from water: 1 Electrolysis This is the only method of producing hydrogen that is both energy efficient and non-polluting Hydrogenation When hydrogen is passed over a catalyst, it combines with carbon monoxide to produce a mixture of hydrocarbons The mixture can be used as a fuel 3 Steam reforming This process can be used to produce hydrogen from methane 4 Membrane technology This process uses high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen from water 5 Photoelectrochemical This method of using sunlight to produce hydrogen from water is currently in the experimental stage WHY IS HYDROGEN BEING PROMOTED? Hydrogen is being promoted as a fuel for use in cars and as a source of electrical power WHAT FORMS DO HYDROGEN TAKES? Liquid hydrogen is used as a rocket fuel The world's leading producer of liquid hydrogen is the United States Solid hydrogen (ice) is an important component of the upper atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn Gaseous hydrogen is found in the atmosphere, mainly in its atomic form WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING HYDROGEN AS A FUEL? Hydrogen has many advantages, including: 1 It is non-toxic It is odorless and colorless It is easy to store It can be used in a variety of ways, including as a fuel for vehicles It is a versatile fuel