An overview of hydrogen production technologies

Currently, hydrogen is primarily used in the chemical industry, but in the near future it will become a significant fuel. There are many processes for hydrogen production. This paper reviews the technologies related to hydrogen production from both fossil and renewable biomass resources including reforming (steam, partial oxidation, autothermal, plasma, and aqueous phase) and pyrolysis. In addition, electrolysis and other methods for generating hydrogen from water, hydrogen storage related approaches, and hydrogen purification methods such as desulfurization and water-gas-shift are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.