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Hydrogen
(H2), the lightest element, has a gaseous specific gravity of 0.0695 and a
boiling point of -423°F (-252.8°C) at atmospheric pressure. It is a
colorless, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas found at concentrations of
about 0.0001% in air. Hydrogen is produced by several methods, including
steam/methane reforming, dissociation of ammonia, and recovery from
by-product streams from chemical manufacturing and petroleum reforming.
Hydrogen can be stored and transported as either a gas or a cryogenic
liquid.
Hydrogen
is widely used in petroleum refining processes such as hydro-treating,
catalytic reforming, and hydro-cracking. It is a raw material for
innumerable chemical processes ranging from the manufacturing of
high-density polyethylene and polypropylene resins to the hydrogenation of
food-grade oils. Hydrogen is also used as a reducing gas in metals
processing operations. Applications in the electronics industry are found
in the manufacture of silicon wafers and computer chips. Rocket engine
fuel is another major use for hydrogen |
