Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe. It exists mostly as a gas or plasma while retaining its gaseous state even near absolute zero. As the most abundant element in the universe, it makes up many chemical compounds, including water. It is also the most important power source. Hydrogen fusion produces enormous amounts of power, and is responsible for almost 30% of all power generating capacity in The Celestial Grove.
Hydrogen is the most abundant material in the universe, making up 75% of the traditional matter mass, and upwards of 90% of the number of atoms. Hydrogen exists mostly in the atomic and plasma states, either in gas clouds or in stars. Molecular hydrogen permeates the atmospheres of gas giants, and can be found within the rocks of terrestrial worlds and asteroids. Hydrogen atoms also exist naturally in certain compounds such as methane and water.
Hydrogen has three isotopes, 2 of which are stable. H1 and H2 are the two stable isotopes, and collectively they make up almost all of the naturally occuring hydrogen in the universe. The other isotope, H3, is unstable with a half life of 12.32 years. There are heavier isotopes, but they cannot occur naturally and they have half lives of nearly incomprehensible short length and so have no practical use.
Nuclear fusion is one of the most popular methods of producing electricity. It utilizes the abundant hydrogen and helium elements to produce large amounts of energy for cheap. Controlled fusion confines superheated hydrogen plasma in a small area. Deuterium (hydrogen-2) and tritium (hydrogen-3) are heated to upwards of a 100 million degrees. The extremely high kinetic energy of the atomic nuclei allows them to overcome atomic repulsion and fuse into a heavier element. This process releases large amounts of energy that can be converted to electricity.
Hydrogen can be used to produce electricity directly using a fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel cells work in the opposite direction as hydrogen electrolysis by reacting with oxygen to create water and electricity. Fuel cells are often used as backup sources of electricity, especially where H2 is already accessible.
Natural Distribution
Hydrogen is the most abundant material in the universe, making up 75% of the traditional matter mass, and upwards of 90% of the number of atoms. Hydrogen exists mostly in the atomic and plasma states, either in gas clouds or in stars. Molecular hydrogen permeates the atmospheres of gas giants, and can be found within the rocks of terrestrial worlds and asteroids. Hydrogen atoms also exist naturally in certain compounds such as methane and water.
Isotopes
Hydrogen has three isotopes, 2 of which are stable. H1 and H2 are the two stable isotopes, and collectively they make up almost all of the naturally occuring hydrogen in the universe. The other isotope, H3, is unstable with a half life of 12.32 years. There are heavier isotopes, but they cannot occur naturally and they have half lives of nearly incomprehensible short length and so have no practical use.
Production
Water Electrolysis
Water electrolysis is an age-old method of producing molecular hydrogen using water and electricity. Electrical currents separate the water molecule. O2 forms at the anode, while H2 forms at the cathode. The nodes are typically made from an inert metal such as platinum. Using an inert metal prevents produced gases from corroding the nodes, prolonging lifetime of the electrolysis device and increasing the reaction yield.2 H2O(l) → 2 H2(g) + O2(g)
Water electrolysis used to be a popular method of producing hydrogen, but high prices of freshwater have made electrolysis not cost effective.
Methane Pyrolysis
Methane pyrolysis is a more common method of producing hydrogen than electrolysis of water. Naturally abundant and easily produced methane gas is passed through a molten catalyst of metal that may contain dissolved nickel. The methane molecules are dissolved, releasing hydrogen and carbon.CH4(g) → C(s) + 2 H2(g)
Carbon produced from methane pyrolysis can be collected and used in other industrial applications or disposed of.
Mining
Molecular hydrogen exists within the rock of most worlds. Mining releases hydrogen, as well as helium gas that can be extracted using filters. However, this application is mostly suited for mining operations on worlds with denser atmospheres. Surface mining on bodies with little or no atmosphere make collecting the gas hard as it quickly and sometimes violently escapes. Deep shaft mining of terrestrial bodies makes collecting gases possible if seals are in place. However, lots of other gases are released. Many of them highly toxic.Terrestrial Atmosphere Extraction
Hydrogen gas is a common atmospheric gas in young planets. Extracting atmospheric hydrogen is much simpler, but not necessarily as safe. Proto-worlds that still have high levels of H2 in their atmospheres can be very toxic. Weather is also unpredictable, and young solar systems are quite chaotic in nature as many large asteroids linger around planets waiting to fall to the surface. Collecting the gas is otherwise safe. Hydrogen gas is simply filtered from the atmosphere, stored in rocks below the surface, or cooled to cryogenic temps and shipped to where it needs to be.Gas-Giant Skimming
Collecting hydrogen gas from the atmosphere of a gas giant is risky, but is the most common method of doing so regardless. Atmospheric skimming is the process of flying through the upper atmosphere of a planet using either a spaceplane or special spacecraft designed to withstand atmospheric entry. One-way intakes allow gas the enter large tanks, but not exit. Skimming to collect gaseous hydrogen is a relatively cheap and quick method of extraction. It has even been advertised as a "get rich quick" scheme, which is very far from reality. Pure H2 is relatively cheap. On top of this, the gas in pure form is often sold by liquified volume. Skimming produces the gas at low pressures that may also include impurities such as helium, methane, and water ice which devalue a haul significantly. Hydrogen skimming is a trade, and often a dead-end job. Pilots work for life on vehicles that receive as little maintenance as possible as proper maintenance is too expensive. The income from low-pressure, impure hydrogen being barely enough to cover living expenses. Pilots are often killed by failing skimmers, or by flying too low and too fast in order to collect hydrogen gas at much greater pressures which is otherwise more cost-effective.Star Lifting
Star lifting is a theoretical method of extracting abundant hydrogen plasma from the surface of a star. The process involves superheating a small area of the solar surface resulting in a large amount of material being ejected into space. This can be done by lasers, or refocusing sunlight using mirrors. Ejected plasma is then collected and shipped elsewhere. The primary benefits of this method is it potential to be much cheaper than other methods by lifting incredibly volumes of high purity material, while simultaneously increasing a star's lifetime. The method is being research as a viable alternative to skimming, but it is quite far from being commercially viable.
Show spoiler
Far future civilizations beyond the current focus timeframe will almost definitely use star lifting. Such civilizations could be anywhere from several thousands to several tens of thousands of years in the future.
Uses
Fusion Energy
Main Article: Fusion EnergyNuclear fusion is one of the most popular methods of producing electricity. It utilizes the abundant hydrogen and helium elements to produce large amounts of energy for cheap. Controlled fusion confines superheated hydrogen plasma in a small area. Deuterium (hydrogen-2) and tritium (hydrogen-3) are heated to upwards of a 100 million degrees. The extremely high kinetic energy of the atomic nuclei allows them to overcome atomic repulsion and fuse into a heavier element. This process releases large amounts of energy that can be converted to electricity.
Propulsion
Hydrogen can be used in several different methods of propulsion. The gas can be burned in internal combustion engines such as piston, jet, or rocket engines. It is also burned in fusion Jets using the nuclear fusion process. A hydrogen slush may also be injected into antimatter engines to increase thrust at the expense of engine efficiency.Energy Cells
Main Article: Hydrogen Fuel CellHydrogen can be used to produce electricity directly using a fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel cells work in the opposite direction as hydrogen electrolysis by reacting with oxygen to create water and electricity. Fuel cells are often used as backup sources of electricity, especially where H2 is already accessible.
Cooling
H2 is a popular coolant in some applications. The gas has the highest thermal conductivity and highest specific heat of any other. Liquid hydrogen may be used to cool large power generators or superconductors. Supercooled hydrogen may also be used for research purposes.
Material Type: Diatomic Element
Material State (At 25℃): Gas
Melting Point: -259.2 °C
Boiling Point: -252.8 °C
Appearance: Invisible Gas Odor: Odorless Flame: Ultraviolet, Blue
Health Notices:
Safety Notices:
Appearance: Invisible Gas Odor: Odorless Flame: Ultraviolet, Blue
Health Notices:
Asphyxiant
Safety Notices:
Fire Hazard
Explosion Hazard
Mixes with Atmosphere
High Reactivity
Low Flame Visibility
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