Introduction
Conclusions
Partial Oxidation
Currently, partial oxidation of heavy hydrocarbon fuels, such as diesel, and coal accounts for much of the hydrogen produced today.
>> Heavy hydrocarbon fuels
Heavy hydrocarbons often result as a by-product of crude oil treatment. Instead of treating these oils as a waste product, they can be oxidized by water vapor and oxygen as follows:
CH1.4 + 0.3 H2O + 0.4 O2 = 0.9CO + 0.1 CO2 + H2
This process is exothermic or autothermal, meaning that it can continue without additional inputs of energy if supplied properly with oxygen and water vapor.
>> Coal
This process is most common in areas rich in coal. The coal is powdered and mixed with water to form a suspended solid that can be pumped. The reaction is similar to that of heavy hydrocarbon fuels.
>>Future Developments
Using a ceramic membrane, the partial oxidation of methane and extraction of oxygen from the air could theoretically be separated. However, this process is still in the early stages of development.