Discussion:
Practical ways of extracting hydrogen from water
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Peter Percival
2020-05-15 14:53:39 UTC
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Hydrogen is often touted as an ideal fuel in as much as it can be
cleanly burnt. But what are the practical ways of producing it (from
water, I would suppose, but from other raw materials maybe)? I am aware
of electrolysis, but that raises the question of how is the electricity
to be generated cleanly?.
Ian Gay
2020-05-15 17:00:33 UTC
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Post by Peter Percival
Hydrogen is often touted as an ideal fuel in as much as it can be
cleanly burnt. But what are the practical ways of producing it (from
water, I would suppose, but from other raw materials maybe)? I am
aware of electrolysis, but that raises the question of how is the
electricity to be generated cleanly?.
Burning hydrogen produces water and releases energy. So if you want to
make hydrogen from water, you have to reverse that and supply energy.
How to make that energy greenly is the problem.
Hydrogen is not really an energy source; it is potentially an energy
transfer medium, like electricity.


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dlzc
2020-05-15 19:24:16 UTC
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Post by Peter Percival
Hydrogen is often touted as an ideal fuel in
as much as it can be cleanly burnt.
... or used in fuel cells.
Post by Peter Percival
But what are the practical ways of producing
it (from water, I would suppose, but from
other raw materials maybe)?
... currently, it is harvested from natural gas: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-production-natural-gas-reforming
Post by Peter Percival
I am aware of electrolysis, but that raises
the question of how is the electricity to be
generated cleanly?.
Solar, nuclear (neglecting the waste stream), hydroelectric, tidal are all pretty clean.

Generating power and charging batteries is more energy efficient that making hydrogen and oxidizing it again, at least until you factor in the load of transporting (accelerating and supporting) batteries.

David A. Smith
d***@gmail.com
2020-08-11 02:57:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by dlzc
Post by Peter Percival
Hydrogen is often touted as an ideal fuel in
as much as it can be cleanly burnt.
... or used in fuel cells.
Post by Peter Percival
But what are the practical ways of producing
it (from water, I would suppose, but from
other raw materials maybe)?
... currently, it is harvested from natural gas: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-production-natural-gas-reforming
Post by Peter Percival
I am aware of electrolysis, but that raises
the question of how is the electricity to be
generated cleanly?.
Solar, nuclear (neglecting the waste stream), hydroelectric, tidal are all pretty clean.
Generating power and charging batteries is more energy efficient that making hydrogen and oxidizing it again, at least until you factor in the load of transporting (accelerating and supporting) batteries.
David A. Smith
Hydrogen also has a low energy density compared to petrol. This means that your hydrogen tank will be large. As well, because of the small size of the hydrogen molecule, losses due to seepage are also significant. And then there is "O the humanity!"

We are close to harvesting solar energy by using large orbital mirrors to concentrate the light so that a narrow beam can be focused on a terrestrial collector - or anybody who has pissed you off.

Joe
Tom Seim
2020-08-18 21:55:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by dlzc
Post by Peter Percival
Hydrogen is often touted as an ideal fuel in
as much as it can be cleanly burnt.
... or used in fuel cells.
Post by Peter Percival
But what are the practical ways of producing
it (from water, I would suppose, but from
other raw materials maybe)?
... currently, it is harvested from natural gas: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-production-natural-gas-reforming
Post by Peter Percival
I am aware of electrolysis, but that raises
the question of how is the electricity to be
generated cleanly?.
Solar, nuclear (neglecting the waste stream), hydroelectric, tidal are all pretty clean.
Generating power and charging batteries is more energy efficient that making hydrogen and oxidizing it again, at least until you factor in the load of transporting (accelerating and supporting) batteries.
David A. Smith
Hydrogen also has a low energy density compared to petrol. This means that your hydrogen tank will be large. As well, because of the small size of the hydrogen molecule, losses due to seepage are also significant. And then there is "O the humanity!"
We are close to harvesting solar energy by using large orbital mirrors to concentrate the light so that a narrow beam can be focused on a terrestrial collector - or anybody who has pissed you off.
Joe
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