Hydrogen production from fossil fuel and biomass feedstocks

Industrially, the main source of hydrogen is the synthesis gas derived from hydrocarbon fossil fuel and water. Depending on the actual application, the synthesis gas produced undergoes catalytic processing to optimise the hydrogen yield. It is frequently used in different gas mixtures; for instance, hydrogen/nitrogen mixtures for ammonia manufacture, hydrogen/carbon oxide mixtures for methanol production and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of higher hydrocarbons. This chapter reviews the early development of large-scale coal-based hydrogen, before outlining modern technologies using hydrocarbon and biomass feedstocks. The catalytic steps that enhance the hydrogen yield and the various purification processes involved are also considered.