Separating hydrogen from any compound, no matter what the application, is a complex and demanding process which, until relatively recently, required tremendous amounts of energy. Since hydrogen doesn't exist on Earth as a gas -- at least, not in the lower part of the atmosphere where it can be easily obtained -- separating hydrogen from compounds is the only way to obtain it.

The two most common methods of separating hydrogen are separation via steam reforming, and electrolysis.

Membrane Separation Via Steam Reforming. This is the most efficient and productive method of separating hydrogen from refined fuel for use in a variety of applications; it is also the method of separating hydrogen for which Power + Energy develops new technologies. It's also the least expensive method available of producing hydrogen.

In membrane separation, the fuel in question is fed into a reformer, where it is broken down into its individual components -- usually carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and water. After passing through a heat exchanger which cools them down, these components are then transferred to a membrane reactor, where they are pushed through a membrane which only allows hydrogen gas to escape.

In the past, this process has been linked to the release of greenhouse gases, but membrane separators developed by Power + Energy reclaim the methane for further hydrogen separation. The only by-product is water.

Electrolysis. This is a method of separating hydrogen from water (and is not a method used in Power + Energy technologies). In its most general sense, electrolysis is the separation of chemically bonded elements and compounds via electric current -- not just separating hydrogen.

The type of electrolysis used for separating hydrogen is called Electrolysis of Water. It is done by connecting a power source to two platinum or stainless steel plates, or electrodes, and immersing them in water. The two electrodes have opposite charges. Hydrogen is drawn to the negatively charged electrode, and oxygen is drawn to the negatively charged electrode. Because of the chemical composition of water, the hydrogen yield is typically twice the oxygen yield.