Comments on: Government Scientists More Efficient at Splitting Hydrogen

By: Origo1

Origo1 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Hasn’t anyone heard of photocatalysts? Water in contact with a photocatalyst while simultaneously being exposed to light generates hydrogen and oxygen, which are then directed through gas separators.

By: sola

sola — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Hydrogen is nowadays mostly produced from natural gas (methane). This is the only known method which is cheap-enough (still very expensive).

However, the article was about hydrolisis aided by an efficient new catalyst.

This is promising, but I believe there are several similar approaches. My favourite is the one which uses solar energy directly for splitting water and doesn’t need external electrical energy at all.

By: Mark P

Mark P — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:22:00 +0000

Susan needs to get some science education. electrolysis separates both hydrogens from the water, and they will be in the molecular form – H2.

the balanced equation comes to – (2) H2O (l) -> 2 O2 (g) + 2 H2 (g).

By: Mark P

Mark P — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:17:00 +0000

No it’s not, it’s an element. The most abundant element in the universe, in fact. Also, they produce it from water, not methane.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:16:00 +0000

Better to leave it connected the rest of the methane molecule and also leave the entire mess in the ground.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:07:00 +0000

Hydrogen is a highly refined form of natural gas. It’s much easier to store if you leave it in the methane molecule until you need it.

By: John Bailo

John Bailo — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:58:00 +0000

Bush funded the DOE’s Hydrogen Initiative to the tune of 1 Billion. Obama-Chu should be stepping up and going “all in” on Hydrogen research including nanomaterials, storage, building highway infrastructure. Romney should be on this issue as well.