Make Hydrogen Generator: How to Build a Hydrogen Generator

Hydrogen is a light element with an atomic weight of 1.00794, due to which, it is not found in its elemental form. Hydrogen is one of the elements that are most abundantly found on earth. Hydrogen is a by-product of the cracking process carried out on the natural gas. Generating hydrogen from water is preferred because generating hydrogen from carbon is an expensive process. Hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water (H₂O) and forms methane (CH₄) with carbon. There are several companies which sell hydrogen generators, but making one at home is an easy task. At the same time, it must be kept in mind that hydrogen is highly combustible and great care must be taken while handling hydrogen gas.

Hydrogen is preferred over other fuels, as it is a clean fuel found in abundance in the earth's crust in the form of water. On the other hand, reserves of fossil fuels are very meager and cause a lot of air pollution when burned. Hydrogen also reduces dependence on petroleum and can be used for domestic purposes. A hydrogen generator can be attached to your existing car engine to improve mileage or simply can be built for doing simple science experiments.

The things you will require to build a hydrogen generator at home are as follows:

1. 1 two liter plastic bottle
2. 2 small bottles (20 ounce each)
3. A pair of scissors
4. A sharp utility knife
5. A piece of telephone wire (12 inches)
6. Pencils
7. Glue and glue gun
8. Electrodes
9. Tubes (24 inches)
10. Valves
11. Drilling machine

Let's take a look at the steps to be followed for building a hydrogen generator:

1. The top of the bigger 2-liter bottle is cut and the smaller bottles are housed in it.
2. The wooden casing of the pencil is cut and only the carbon graphite is to be used. Cut this carbon graphite lead into two equal pieces with a utility knife.
3. Strip off the insulation of the telephone wire; 1/4th inch on one side and two inches on the opposite side.
4. Wrap the 2 inch stripped bare copper wire to the carbon graphite piece and keep it away after applying some glue.
5. Drill a hole in the center of the two bottle caps and place the 24 inch tube in that hole using glue. Replace the caps of the smaller bottles.
6. The electrodes are placed in the two small bottles from the bottom and the valves are fitted at the cap side. The valves are used to hold the tube inserted in the cap.
7. Place the two small bottles inside the bigger bottle using glue.
8. Connect the 12 volt battery to the tube coming out from the caps of the two small bottles. One tube acts as anode and the other acts as cathode.

The basic concept behind the working is that the electricity from the battery breaks down the water molecules. This process generates a gas called brown gas (or oxyhydrogen) that can be used as a fuel.

Gas and oil are expensive and many experts estimate that these prices will continue to soar even in the future. NASA uses liquid hydrogen and oxygen combustion for launching space shuttles. Even hydrogen powered fuel cell cars are available in the market, but they are quite expensive, as the hydrogen economy is building steadily. A day is sure to come, when hydrogen fuel becomes very common and inexpensive.