Chemical Symbol: H2
Description
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, flammable and nontoxic
gas. It is the lightest element and can be found in the atmosphere
with the concentration of about 0.5 ppm. The gas burns in air with
an almost invisible light blue color. When mixed with air or oxygen,
it has an ignition temperature between 566°C and 579°C. Hydrogen
is flammable in dry air when the mixture consists of 4.0 percent to
75.0 percent hydrogen, and between 4.6 percent and 93.9 percent when
mixed with oxygen. At temperatures of less than -253°C, hydrogen
is in liquid form and its weight is only one fourteenth of the weight
of water.
Uses
Hydrogen is used by refineries, petrochemical and bulk chemical facilities
for hydrotreating, catalytic reforming, and hydrocracking. Hydrogen
is used for production of chemicals, such as dyes, catalysts, flavors,
fragrances, pesticides, halogen organics, plastic and synthetic fibers,
and petroleum. It can also be used for heat treating, metal production,
welding and cutting. Food companies use hydrogen to hydrogenate fats,
oils and fatty acids for the products such as oleomargarine, soap and
industrial greases and oils. In addition, hydrogen is used by glass
manufacturers in the production of glass and by electronics manufacturers
for production of semiconductors. Liquid hydrogen is used as a fuel
for missiles and rockets, as well as in laboratory research.
