Onsite Hydrogen Production

What is MHD?

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is a multidisciplinary field of science and engineering that combines principles from fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, and plasma physics. It deals with the behavior of electrically conducting fluids (such as plasma or ionized gases) in the presence of magnetic fields. MHD has applications in various fields, including power generation and propulsion.

Our technology uses principles of MHD to convert superheated steam to hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2), by subjecting it to intense magnetic fields and electrical currents. The main idea is to create a controlled flow of water through a magnetic field, induce ionization, and then separate the resulting ions (H+ and O-) to generate hydrogen gas.

Process Overview

  • Water is pumped or flowed through a catalyst filled chamber where it is subjected to an intense magnetic field. This interaction induces ionization of the water molecules. Water is a weak conductor of electricity, but under the influence of a strong magnetic field, it can become conductive.

  • As the water molecules become ionized (H+, O-, and OH- ions), electrical current is applied across the water. This current helps to further separate the ions, effectively causing water electrolysis. In conventional electrolysis, electrical energy is directly applied to achieve this separation, but in HydroGenMHD, the magnetic field plays a crucial role in ion movement.

  • The magnetic field interacts with the electrically charged ions, exerting a force known as the Lorentz force. This force causes the ions to move in a specific direction. In the case of HydroGenMHD, the magnetic field is designed to drive the positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) in one direction while pushing the negatively charged oxygen ions (O-) in the opposite direction.

  • To collect the hydrogen gas produced, a separate chamber is used where the positively charged hydrogen ions accumulate. This chamber may be equipped with electrodes or other means to facilitate the gathering of hydrogen ions and their recombination into hydrogen gas molecules (H2).

  • The efficiency of the HydroGenMHD process would depend on various factors, including the strength of the magnetic field, the flow rate of water, and the energy required to maintain the magnetic field and apply the necessary electrical current. It's important to note that generating strong magnetic fields and sustaining the required conditions could require a significant amount of energy.