Introduction of Hydrogen Routines

The objective of this chapter is to give an overview of different hydrogen production routes from fossil fuel, nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, and coal) are the most heavily used feedstock to directly generate hydrogen through thermochemical conversion technologies. Steam-methane reforming, oil reforming, and coal gasification are the most common processes. Nuclear energy has a great potential to produce hydrogen from water decomposition. The routes of thermochemical water splitting cycles and high temperature (steam) electrolysis are the leading contenders for H₂ generation in the near future. Hydrogen produced from wind, solar, and bioenergy is also attractive because the sources are renewable. By water electrolysis, thermochemical routes, and biological routes, the renewable H₂ generation can be realized.