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Process
Gases :: Hydrogen |
| Description |
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Hydrogen, or H2, is the lightest of all gases. Commonly found
in nature in compounds with other elements, it is the most abundant
element in the universe. Hydrogen is a component of water, minerals
and acids, as well as an essential part of all hydrocarbons and
essentially all other organic substances. In fact, 98 percent of the
known universe - most notably the sun and stars - consists of
hydrogen.
Colorless, odorless,
tasteless and nontoxic, hydrogen exists as a gas at atmospheric
temperatures and pressures. A stable molecule because of its high bond
strength, hydrogen becomes reactive at elevated temperatures or with
the aid of catalysts. When cooled to its boiling point of -423°F
(-253°C), hydrogen becomes a liquid that is approximately 93 percent
lighter than water. All other gases - except helium - become solids at
this temperature.
Hydrogen is flammable
and burns in air with a pale blue, almost invisible flame. In its
gaseous form, hydrogen dissipates quickly. These unique properties
call for strict safety measures in hydrogen use and storage.
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| Applications
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- Fuel Cells
used as
a fuel to power fuel cell generators that create electricity
through an electrochemical process in combination with oxygen.
- Food
to hydrogenate liquid oils (such as soybean, fish, cottonseed and
corn), converting them to semisolid materials such as shortenings,
margarine and peanut butter.
- Chemical processing
primarily to manufacture ammonia and methanol, but also to
hydrogenate non-edible oils for soaps, insulation, plastics,
ointments and other specialty chemicals.
- Metal production
and fabrication
to serve as a protective atmosphere in high-temperature operations
such as stainless steel manufacturing; commonly mixed with argon
for welding austenitic stainless. Also used to support plasma
welding and cutting operations.
- Pharmaceuticals
to produce sorbitol used in cosmetics, adhesives, surfactants, and
vitamins A and C.
- Aerospace
to fuel spacecraft, but also to power life-support systems and
computers, yielding drinkable water as a by-product.
- Electronics to create specially controlled atmospheres in
the production of semiconductor circuits.
- Petroleum
Recovery and Refinery
to enhance performance of petroleum products by removing organic sulfur
from crude oil, as well as to convert heavy crude to lighter,
easier to refine, and more marketable products. Hydrogen's use in
reformulated gas products helps refiners meet Clean Air Act
requirements.
- Power Generation
to serve as a heat transfer medium for cooling high speed turbine
generators. Also used to react with oxygen in the cooling water
system of boiling water nuclear reactors to suppress intergranular
stress corrosion cracking in the cooling system.
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| Supply
Options |
- Bulk liquid delivery by tank trucks and
specially designed tanks for temporary installation.
- Bulk gas delivery by tube trailer trucks
- Cylinders
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| Safety |
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Hydrogen is
flammable and can act as a simple asphyxiant by displacing the oxygen
in the air. In addition, when in its liquid form, it may cause sever
frostbite to the eyes and skin. To avoid these harmful effects,
producers and customers should follow strict safety guidelines for
storage and handling, and consult hydrogen Material Safety Data
Sheets.
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