Hydrogen production

Hydrogen production is the family of industrial methods for generating hydrogen. Currently the dominant technology for direct production is steam reforming from hydrocarbons. Many other methods are known including electrolysis and thermolysis.

In 2006, the United States was estimated to have a production capacity of 11 million tons of hydrogen. 5 million tons of hydrogen were consumed on-site in oil refining, and in the production of ammonia (Haber process) and methanol (reduction of carbon monoxide). 0.4 million tons were an incidental by-product of the chlor-alkali process. Hydrogen production is an estimated $100 billion industry. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, only in 2004, 53 million metric tons were consumed worldwide. There are no natural hydrogen deposits, and for this reason the production of hydrogen plays a key role in modern society.