Hydrogen is an almost perfect energy source. It combines with
oxygen to produce energy and water with no greenhouse gases. The
problem is, hydrogen rarely occurs by itself in nature. There
are basically two ways to produce usable hydrogen - through
steam reforming or electrolysis. The chemical equation for steam
reforming is CH4+H2O->CO + 3 H2. Practically, it means you mix a
hydrocarbon such as methane with steam to produce hydrogen and
carbon monoxide. Electrolysis is greener, but costs at least
three times as much as steam reforming. In 2003, the Bush
administration announced amid great fanfare the nation would
collaborate with Europe to eliminate dependence upon petroleum
and decrease the production of greenhouse gases. The missing
piece though, was how to generate the hydrogen. The next
generation nuclear reactor was envisioned to provide a more
efficient electrolysis. Unfortunately, that has not panned out.
But 'Inexhaustible' Source of Hydrogen May Be Unlocked by Salt
Water, Engineers Say tells that a