Fact sheet n°1 : The evolution of the use of hydrogen
What is hydrogen?
It is the simplest and most common atom. It consists of a single proton and a single electron. It is also the most common chemical element in the universe, accounting for three quarters of the universe’s mass.
The discovery of hydrogen
Early uses of hydrogen
1800 : Half of the lighting gas is hydrogen / 1878 : The inflatable balloon is filled with dihydrogen
The airship
Hydrogen, which is 11 times lighter than air, was also used in airships … until 6th may 1937 when the Hindenburg airship crashed in New Jersey.
This tragic accident along with planes growing popularity led to the end of airships uses.
Hydrogen as a raw material
After World War II, hydrogen found new usages in the industry (petrochemistry, steel industry, food-processing…) as a raw material.
Space uses for hydrogen?
Hydrogen also found new applications in space.
– As a fuel, a mix of liquid hydrogen and oxygen is used to throw space rockets such as Ariane 5 and Saturn V.
– As a reliable power supply system in space missions (Apollo, Gemini) through the development of compact 5 kW fuel cells.
New applications for hydrogen
Hydrogen as an energy carrier?
Produced from zero-emission or renewable electricity:
Hydrogen could then be stored, transported and used in all kind of energy applications such as fuel for instance.
For one purpose
