How Is Hydrogen Fuel Made? - Hydrogen Fuel - page 17

does not have to come from a fossil fuel source. Instead, it can
come from renewable resources such as wind and the Sun. This
would provide a never-ending supply of electrical energy to
drive the electrolysis that produces hydrogen fuel.
A great deal of Earth's surface—72 percent—is covered by
water. The U.S. Navy estimates that there are 361.2 quintillion
gallons of water just in the world's oceans. In the United States,
one quintillion is deined as the number 1 followed by 18
zeroes. So, there is a great deal of water. If the electricity to
run the electrolysis process comes from renewable sources,
electrolysis can be a very eficient way to produce hydrogen
fuel. Currently, it is estimated that this type of process can be
80 to 85 percent eficient. Many believe that electrolysis can be
the most eficient means of producing hydrogen fuel over the
long term. Today, however, electrolysis is too expensive to be
practical for everyday use. In addition, if the electricity used in
the process comes from fossil fuel power plants, harmful levels
of carbon dioxide and other gases are produced.
Coal Gasiication
Coal can be changed into different gases through gasiication ,
which is a series of chemical reactions that rely on heat,
pressure, and steam. These gases are called synthesis gas , or
syngas. Syngas is a type of middle point in the hydrogen gas
production process. The synthesis gas is a mixture of hydrogen
and carbon monoxide. When this gas reacts with steam, it
produces even more hydrogen. It also produces carbon dioxide.
At this point, the hydrogen can be separated out to produce
pure hydrogen that can be used as fuel. The carbon dioxide,
however, is a waste product.