Preparation of Hydrogen and Its Various Uses

Introduction

Preparation of Hydrogen involves more than one step in laboratory as well as in commercial scale. The most abundant element in the universe is Hydrogen. There are many uses of Hydrogen.

What is Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is present in an ample amount in Universe. It is lightest in weight. It is a gaseous and non-reactive element. It is colourless, tasteless, odourless and a non-poisonous. Hydrogen is found mostly in water or any organic compound. It is also found in plant and animal tissues. Its unique characteristics make it available in fuels, starch, acids, and a number of other substances.

Properties of Hydrogen

The properties of Hydrogen are discussed below −

• Physical Properties − Hydrogen is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. It is a flammable gas but it does not help in ignition. The atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.008 atomic mass unit (amu).

• Chemical Properties − Hydrogen molecules exerts with only one H-H bond, which has the highest bond enthalpy. It shares electrons with other elements and forms a covalent bond. Due to high bond enthalpy, Hydrogen is non-reactive at standard temperature. . Therefore, Hydrogen is prepared at a higher temperature in an electric arc or under ultraviolet radiation.

Preparation of Hydrogen

Preparation of Hydrogen involves the following steps:

The Laboratory Preparation Method

Figure 1 − The Laboratory Preparation Method

In laboratory, Hydrogen is prepared using granulated Zinc and diluted Hydrochloric acid. Hydrogen is also prepared in laboratory by reacting excess aqueous alkali solution with Zinc. The following equation is mentioned below −

$$\mathrm{Zn\:+\:2NaOH\:\rightarrow\:\:+\:H_{2}}$$

The Commercial Method

There are a few ways through which Hydrogen can be produced commercially are as follows −

• The acidified water is electrolysed with the help of Platinum electrodes, produces Hydrogen gas.

• The warm aqueous Barium Hydroxide solution is electrolyzed using Nickel electrodes results in high purity of Hydrogen gas.

• In the presence of catalyst and at a particular high temperature, steam reacts with Hydrocarbons to produce Hydrogen gas

Figure 2 − The Commercial Preparation Method by electrolysis

Hydrocarbons can be used to produce Syngas or Synthesis Gas which is also known as Water gas. This water gas consists with Carbon Monoxide and water. Water gas or Syngas exists in sewage, scrap, and other associated substances. It can also be extracted from coal using coal gasification technique. Hydrogen production is increased from Hydrocarbons using catalyst like, Iron Chromate at a heating condition. The equations of the synthesis are written below −

$$\mathrm{CH_{4}(g)\:+\:H_{2}O(g)\:\rightarrow\:CO(g)\:+\:3H_{2}(g)}$$

$$\mathrm{CO(g)\:+\:H_{2}O(g)\:\rightarrow\:CO_{2}(g)\:+\:H_{2}O(g)}$$

The major production of Hydrogen gas is done by using Hydrocarbons and few productions are done by electrolysis method.

Other methods

Another method for production of Hydrogen is known as catalytic steam-hydrocarbon process. Gaseous Hydrocarbons are treated under high pressure along with steam over a Nickel catalyst to produceCarbon Oxide and Hydrogen. The reaction is as follows −

$$\mathrm{C_{n}H_{2n\:+\:2\:+\:nH_{2}O\:\rightarrow\:nCO\:+\:(2n\:+\:1)H_{2}}}$$

$$\mathrm{c_{n}H_{2n\:+\:2}\:+\:2nH_{2}O\rightarrow\:nCO_{2}\:+\:(3n\:+\:1)H_{2}}$$

Another important process of Hydrogen production is the noncatalytic partial oxidation of Hydrocarbons under high pressure is presented a. −

$$\mathrm{C_{n}H_{2n\:+\:2}\:+\:(n/2)O_{2}\:\rightarrow\:nCO\:+\:(n\:+\:1)H_{2}}$$

Uses of Hydrogen

The usages of Hydrogen are discussed below.

• It helps in synthesis of Ammonia and in the manufacture of Nitrogenous fertilizers and Nitric acid.

• It is used in manufacturing vegetable oil and unsaturated vanaspati fat

• It is used in the manufacture process of numerous organic substances, specifically, Methanol.

• Hydrogen produces Hydrogen Chlorides which is a useful chemical.

• It helps in the manufacture of Metal hybrids as well.

• Hydrogen helps in reduction of metal oxide to Metal in the metallurgical process. Hydrogen can also be used as rocket fuel.

• Hydrogen fuel cells are used to generate electricity as well. It does not have any side effects to the environment to generate energy, which is a positive side of the cell compared to the other forms of energy.

• For welding of Iron and Steel materials, oxyhydrogen and atomic hydrogen torches are also used

• The automotive industries carry out lots of experiments regarding the use of Hydrogen fuel cells

Conclusion

Hydrogen being such an important and unique element serves with a lot of purpose and uses. It shows a similarity with alkali metals and halogens in electronic configuration, physical, and chemical property. Hydrogen is also present in the composition of the Sun and stars. Though, there are limitations in production of this element, yet naturally it is abundantly found in Mother Nature.

FAQs

1. What is the need of Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is one of the most important elements helps in power generation as fuel cell, in power vehicles and industries

2. Why do we need to know the preparation of Hydrogen?

Preparation of Hydrogen is required to know for the existence of life, for lots of other purposes. It is like most of the components in our daily life.

3. What is the chemical name of Hydrogen?

The chemical name is Hydrogen and the molecular formula is H2. The atomic symbol is H and the atomic number is 1

4. Is Hydrogen gas flammable?

Hydrogen gas is not flammable in nature but it supports ignition. The ignition can sometime initiate fire.