Hydrogen
Hydrogen (periodic table symbol: H1) is a chemical element that can be found in the atmosphere and in frozen water on Mars.
Liquid hydrogen has a density of 70 kg/m3. Gaseous hydrogen at standard atmospheric pressure and temperature has a density of 0,089 kg/m3.
Biological significance
The metabolism of human beings, animals and microbes depends on water, composed of hydrogen and oxygen. The human body contains about 70% water. Human beings need about 2 liters water per day for drinking, hard working people need even more. Some organisms, Xenotrophs, can directly metabolize hydrogen as a source of energy.
Production
Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis of water, thermally via the Sulfur/Iodine cycle[1] or with CO to produce syngas in the Zinc/Sulfur/Iodine cycle[2]. Thermal production of hydrogen can be achieved using nuclear heat, enhanced with a turboinductor[3] to achieve the high required operating temperatures. Hydrogen can also be produced through the catalytic decomposition of ammonia[4], allowing for the non cryogenic storage of bulk hydrogen.
Use
- Hydrogen may be used directly as a fuel for a propulsion system, or, through the sabatier reaction, in the form of methane for the same purpose.
- Hydrogen can be used to react with iron ore or aluminium ore to create metals and water.
- Hydrogen can be combined with carbon to form methane or methanol to feed methanotrophs, creating carbohydrates, amino acids and hydrocarbons, the building blocks of all living organisms.
