Like other fuels, there are dangerous elements to be aware of when it comes to hydrogen, which makes it essential to know the correct way to make hydrogen fuel. Understanding the steps it takes to create the fuel and the cost involved will help you to determine the cost of running your car as well as how easy it is to make.
Goggles
The first step necessary will be to obtain all the materials and equipment you will need to make hydrogen fuel. The quantity of materials and type of equipment required will depend on the volume of hydrogen that you intend to make. Whether you want to make a small quantity of the fuel as a sample or a large amount, use the appropriate amount of materials. Sodium hydroxide is also known as lye and is cheaply available from hardware stores, as it has a range of different uses. Scrap aluminum can be found as a waste product from within your home.
There are hazardous materials involved in the production of this substance, so you will need protective clothing to make hydrogen fuel. In addition to overalls, you will need to wear goggles, a face mask and protective gloves. It is prudent to use a hydrogen generator, as you can be sure that it will not react to the chemicals used as part of the process. This will also give you the ability to store the fuel, which will help to reduce the hydrogen fuel price.
The first step needed to make hydrogen fuel is to combine the sodium hydroxide with the water. The chemical substance needs to be added to the water rather than the other way around. You should then slowly stir it or replace the lid of the vessel, and gentle swirl it until it dissolves. This process will produce toxic fumes and result in a dangerous liquid, so ensure that you are wearing the protective gear.
The aluminum you use for this process will work better if it is clean and has no paint, paper or other debris attached to the surface. Adding the aluminum to the sodium hydroxide solution will create a reaction, which will be quicker when the aluminum is clean. Open the vessel and add the aluminum to the solution, which will cause bubbles to form on the surfaces of the metal. This is the process needed to make hydrogen fuel and will continue for an hour or longer, depending on the quantity of fuel being made.
Leave the entire generator to allow the reaction to continue until the aluminum is no longer reacting. The chemical reaction will result in both steam and hydrogen. Make sure you wear your safety gear when returning to check the generator.
