Introduction
In this topic, I want to represent information about producing hydrogen gas with stable pressure and flow for syntheses which take hydrogenation in large-scale drug manufacturing. In previous review I told about Hydrogen gas (H2) laboratory preparation with low flow rate and pressure.
General
A Hydrogen generator is a machine that is used to produce hydrogen from water, using a process called electrolysis. If the supply pressure of hydrogen from the generator is high enough, it can eliminate the need for hydrogen cylinders by providing a safer and more user-friendly alternative. A hydrogen generator uses a proton exchange membrane (PEM) to produce high purity hydrogen gas from water. The PEM cell was originally developed by NASA and is extensively used in industrial and laboratory applications.Hydrogen gas production
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the Universe, although in its gaseous state it does not naturally occur on Earth and must be manufactured. In industry, H2 (gas) is produced on a large scale by a process called steam reforming, to separate carbon and hydrogen atoms from hydrocarbon fuels. Hydrogen is used in the laboratory for a variety of lab applications such as Hydrolysis of unsaturated substances such as P2NP, Modafinil synthesis, (+)-Lysergic acid total synthesis, HU-210 synthesis, dl-Ephedrine synthesis from 1-Phenyl-1,2-propandion and another syntheses. Also, it is used in Gas Chromatography (GC) as fuel or carrier gas and ICP-MS as a collision gas, in the chemical industry to synthesize ammonia, cyclohexane and methanol and in the food industry for hydrogenation of oils to form fats.
Significant research and development has afforded safer, greener, more efficient and cost-effective means of generating on-demand hydrogen gas for laboratory, manufacturing and industrial applications. Safety has improved so much that Hydrogen gas is now being used in some transport vehicles as a clean ‘pollution-free’ fuel with the gas being generated from water with the by-product of its combustion being water.
Significant research and development has afforded safer, greener, more efficient and cost-effective means of generating on-demand hydrogen gas for laboratory, manufacturing and industrial applications. Safety has improved so much that Hydrogen gas is now being used in some transport vehicles as a clean ‘pollution-free’ fuel with the gas being generated from water with the by-product of its combustion being water.
This article provides answers, How does a hydrogen generator work?
A hydrogen generator uses a proton exchange membrane (PEM) to produce high purity hydrogen gas from water. The PEM cell was originally developed by NASA and is extensively used in industrial and laboratory applications.
Hydrogen gas production
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the Universe, although in its gaseous state it does not naturally occur on Earth and must be manufactured. In industry, H2(g) is produced on a large scale by a process called steam reforming, to separate carbon and hydrogen atoms from hydrocarbon fuels. Hydrogen is used in the laboratory for a variety of lab applications such as Gas Chromatography (GC) as fuel or carrier gas and ICP-MS as a collision gas, in the chemical industry to synthesize drugs, ammonia, cyclohexane and methanol and in the food industry for hydrogenation of oils to form fats.
How is a hydrogen generator safer than a cylinder?
A hydrogen generator does not store vast quantities of hydrogen inside itself at any time, either during operation, or when not in use. This means that if a leak occurs, only a very small quantity of hydrogen is likely to escape. Conversely, a full hydrogen cylinder may contain as many as 11,000 litres of hydrogen gas; all of which could be released if a leak were to occur. Good hydrogen generators also contain sensors to detect hydrogen and water leaks, and shut down hydrogen production when a leak is detected.
- Poure distilled water into the generator.
- Attach a hose to the outlet hydtogen gas tap which is located on the rear of the generator and prepare your system (flasks or reactor).
- Connect the generator to electrical supply and switch it on at the wall socket. Turn the generator on at the power switch (located on the rear of the generator) and wait. The generator will perform a system check. Note: Upon first use, the generator may appear to stop building pressure while the separation chamber fills with water. Should this happen, restart the generator. The internal pressure (“ACT” pressure) of the generator will build up to the required operating pressure (“SET” pressure). Once the required pressure is reached, the outlet valve of the generator will be opened and hydrogen will be supplied to the application instrument.
Main characteristics of hydrogen generator
- H2 flow speed. This characteristic quite important for organic synthesis by reason that if you have big reactor, which is connected with atmosphere, you have to use high flow hydrogen generator. Vice versa with small volume close reactor, which is don't need to stable flow, you don't need high flow. It would be enough of Keep's apparatus hydrogen generator.
- H2 purity. Is purity of hydrogen gas, which is important for gas chromatography goals. In organic synthesis, this characteristic is not so important.
- Input Power (watt/hour). This characteristic depends on performance and flow of a gas generator, hence, bigger for more high flow generators. They take more electricity power.
DIY Hydrogen generator video
Suppliers
Your choice depends on your budget and goals, time for shipping to your location and import rules. Here represented some suppliers with different range of prices for 250-300 mL/min flow Hydrogen generators. Prices are valid for 04.2022.Jinan Konwer Instrument Co., Ltd.
Hunan Moreshine Trading Co., Ltd.
Vici-dbs
SPW Industrial
Parker
Last edited by a moderator: