How to Make Hydrogen

How to make hydrogen is an age old question and pursuit. In the early 1800's hydrogen was made for some of the first internal combustion vehicles by electrolyzing water. Now, days, the most common method of mass producing hydrogen is made by steam reforming of natural gas.

Making Hydrogen

Hydrogen on Demand Plans
Inside information, Internet only plans help drivers convert their cars and save gasoline.

Most of the hydrogen produced today on a massive scale is used by either the oil companies at the refineries to help in removing the sulfur from gasoline and diesel fuel or it is used to hydrogenate food products.

Steam reforming of natural gas is also sometimes called catalytic oxidation or steam methane reforming. At high temperatures of around 1,000 degrees C steam, natural gas and the catalyst nickel are introduced and produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The hydrogen is separated and used for industry purposes.

On a smaller scale, home hydrogen fueling stations like the Honda Home Energy Station uses approximately half steam and half natural gas in order to produce hydrogen. But, more recently, the electrolysis of water has been getting a new look for making hydrogen.

Because of the work of General Electric, ITM Power and others the price of electrolyzing water to create hydrogen is coming down significantly. But, many people want to know how to make hydrogen as a backyard experiment.

Besides the electrolysis of water (used by hydrogen generators in cars) another way to make hydrogen on demand is by chemical means. Here is where the obligatory cautionary note is: If you are a minor, do not try this. If you are an adult take extreme caution in producing hydrogen since it is both very combustible and flammable.

People who want to know how to make hydrogen at home are often surprised by explosions and even fires because they do not take great care in handling H2. Many people are likewise hurt by mishandling gasoline as well as it is also flammable and combustible.

Okay, so hydrogen can be made with simple household substances and ingredients such as aluminum, drain cleaner and water. Watching a few videos on how others do it is often helpful before making hydrogen yourself. There are many destructive videos so don't emulate these, but rather emulate the ones that practice safety and precaution first.