What Is a Hydrogen Generator?
A hydrogen generator is a device that produces hydrogen from water, using a process called electrolysis.
Hydrogen used to be produced in large factories and transported to where it was needed using cylinders, etc. However, because it is a flammable gas, it must be handled with care.
A hydrogen generator can produce hydrogen on-site, reducing the risks associated with transportation and storage. Moreover, the required raw materials, such as water, electricity, and natural gas, are readily available, and the machine is easy to maintain.
Uses of Hydrogen Generators
Small hydrogen generators are mainly used to supply hydrogen fuel to FIDs used in gas chromatography.
Depending on the product, the generated gas may be treated with palladium or other chemicals to increase the purity of the hydrogen produced.
On the other hand, large hydrogen generators are used in metal production, crude oil desulfurization, fuel cells, and other applications requiring substantial hydrogen volumes. Nevertheless, issues pertaining to the cost of electricity consumption and the management of carbon dioxide byproducts need to be addressed.
Principle of Hydrogen Generators
The most common hydrogen generators use the principle of water electrolysis.
There are two methods of electrolysis: alkaline water electrolysis using a KOH solution and solid polymer water electrolysis using an ion exchange membrane. The former method is superior in generating efficiency, but the latter, which does not use an alkaline solution and requires careful handling, is preferred, especially for small-sized devices.
On the other hand, large hydrogen generators use the steam reforming method, in which natural gas or naphtha reacts with water to extract hydrogen.
Hydrogen generated by steam reforming contains more impurities than hydrogen generated by electrolysis, so it is purified by separation using the pressure fluctuation adsorption method. When city gas is used as the raw material, equipment is required to remove the sulfur content contained in the gas for odorization.