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Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H₂)

The cleanest burning and most efficient fuel

Hydrogen exists naturally on Earth but not in large quantities in its elemental form and so it is produced industrially in several ways. By far the most common method is through steam-methane reforming (SMR) where the steam reacts with the natural gas (methane) at very high temperatures to produce syngas (a hydrogen/carbon monoxide mixture). The syngas can be further processed to convert the carbon monoxide through a reaction with steam to produce more hydrogen. Hydrogen can also be produced by using fossil fuels such as oil and coal by gasification, or by the electrolysis of water.

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel through combustion or through a hydrogen fuel cell. The space industry utilizes hydrogen as a propellant for rockets. Oil refineries use hydrogen to make lower sulphur, cleaner burning transport fuels to reduce air pollution, and the metals industries use hydrogen to reduce metal oxides and to prevent oxidation during heat-treating process.

Hydrogen is used in semiconductor manufacturing to reduce atmospheres. In the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, hydrogenation processes are used to combine hydrogen molecules with other compounds (for example oils and fats) and so help extend shelf life, modify properties or conduct highly selective transformations.

In the hydrogen for mobility transportation sector, fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to power an electric motor. In flat or float glass production, blends of nitrogen and hydrogen are used to purge and capture any oxygen that is present, to prevent oxidation and glass defects.

Air Products offers liquid hydrogen and compressed hydrogen gas in a variety of purities and various modes of supply around the world, thanks to our network of pipelines, hydrogen manufacturing plants and transfill facilities.

Hydrogen Technologies Accelerating the Energy Transition

Hydrogen plant

Air Products is a World-Leading Hydrogen Supplier

  • Extensive pipeline supply network
  • Key enabler in global energy production
  • Large dedicated on-site plant development
  • Large-scale on-site hydrogen plants
  • World's largest producer of outsourced hydrogen to oil refineries
  • A leader in hydrogen fueling infrastructure development
  • Industry leader in safety
  • World-class customer service
Download Powerhouse Hydrogen article

How Can Air Products Help with your Hydrogen Supply?​

Pipeline Supply

Connect with one of our pipeline systems around the world for large volumes and flexible supply of hydrogen

Temporary or Emergency Gas Services for Plants or Pipelines

Air Products' APEX (Express) Hydrogen Services provide a fast, high pressure, reliable supply of high-purity hydrogen

State-of-the-Art On-Site Hydrogen Generation Technology

Air Products’ range of hydrogen manufacturing plants provide a reliable on-site supply of low-cost hydrogen.

Bulk Deliveries and Storage Systems

Liquid or gas bulk deliveries and storage systems provide a safe, reliable supply option for high-purity hydrogen

Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure

We are a leading developer of hydrogen energy services and equipment

Large-Scale Hydrogen Plants

Air Products provides large dedicated on-site plant development.

Could On-Site Hydrogen Generation Save You Money?

Superior design delivers performance

  • Cost-effective hydrogen supply
  • High reliability through real-time monitoring through global operating service centers
  • Flexibility thanks to compact and modular design
  • Fast initial and hot start-up
  • High onstream time with process and proven components
  • Training and ongoing operations support based on leading experience with hydrogen generation
Download PRISM® Hydrogen Generation Systems brochure
Petrochemical plant

H2 Recovery Technologies

PRISM® Membrane and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technologies are used to recover hydrogen from H2 containing offgas streams found in many refineries and chemical plants. Our industry specialists can help you assess which technology is best for your operations.

Learn more about our PRISM Membranes and PSA Hydrogen Purification technologies.

Supply Options

Air Products can help you determine the most economical supply option for your particular application and geographic location. Industrial gases are typically provided in gaseous and liquid form through a variety of supply systems.

Cylinders & Hard Goods

The traditional solution for low-volume gas supply. Cylinders can be supplied in a full range of sizes, pressures and gas purities for a range of gases and gas mixtures. Search our extensive network of distributors in the U.S. and parts of Canada for your cylinder and hard goods supply needs.

Bulk Supply

Delivered by truck and stored on your site either as a liquid in cryogenic tanks or as a gas in high-pressure tubes based on your volume, desired pressure, purity level, flow rate, and operating pattern.

APEX Temporary Emergency Gas Services

Short-term or emergency industrial gas supply for start-ups, peak demand periods, planned or unplanned maintenance activities, and plant or pipeline turnarounds.

On-site Hydrogen Gas Generation

On-site gas generation helps sustainability-minded customers lower their carbon footprint, boost energy efficiency, increase throughput, enhance end product quality, and improve environmental performance.

Pipeline Supply

Located in major industrial locations around the world, pipelines offer customers with large product demands a range of benefits, including reliable, safe and flexible supply in a cost-effective way.

Ask the Expert

“My process requires high pressure hydrogen, what's the most efficient method of supply?”
Our engineers can easily assess your operation and recommend the optimal supply mode, but Air Products is uniquely positioned to offer our patented Cryogenic Hydrogen Compression (CHC) technology for increased efficiency typically in the 50,000 to 1 million scf/day range.

Interested in hydrogen for your application?

Contact our experts now

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Convert weight and volume measures for argon, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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Our Safety Data Sheet (SDS) library allows you to search and find the SDS you need--in the language you select.

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