Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
peroxide and table sugar are hydrogen compounds. Other
common hydrogen compounds include ammonia, hydrochloric
acid, and just about every chemical compound found in the
human body.
Getting the Hydrogen out of
Hydrogen Compounds
The fact that hydrogen is found in so many places makes it very
promising as a source from which to make hydrogen fuel. In
order for hydrogen to be used as a fuel, however, it must irst
be separated from the other elements in a compound. This can
be done in a number of ways using energy from heat, pressure,
electricity, or light.
Remember that even though hydrogen fuel is a good source
of energy, it takes a great deal of energy to get the hydrogen
out of a hydrogen compound. Also, the best hydrogen fuel is
the purest. This means that fuel that is almost all hydrogen is
better than fuel that has a lot of hydrogen but also might have
Common Uses
Compound
Name
Elements in the
Compound
Ammonia
nitrogen and hydrogen
(NH
3
)
Production of agricultural
fertilizers, cleaning
materials.
Hydrochloric
acid
hydrogen and chlorine
(HCl)
Fertilizers, photographic
developing liquid, PVC (a
type of plastic). HCl is made
in the human stomach and
helps you digest food.
Table sugar
carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen (C
12
H
22
O
11
)
Sweetener, used in cooking
and baking.
Hydrogen
peroxide
hydrogen and oxygen
(H
2
O
2
)
Disinfectant (kills germs),
used in a variety of
products such as mouth-
wash, cosmetics, and
household cleaners.
