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Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, nontoxic but flammable gas at atmospheric temperatures and pressures. The gas burns in air with a pale blue, almost invisible flame. Hydrogen is the lightest of all gases, approximately one-fifteenth as heavy as air. Hydrogen is liquid at -423°F.
Hydrogen is manufactured industrially by either electrolysis of water, steam reformation of hydrocarbons or partial oxidation of coal or hydrocarbons.
Hydrogen is used in vast quantities as a raw material for production of ammonia, methanol, hydrogen peroxide, polymers and solvents. It is also used to hydrogenate many animal or vegetable oils and in the production of vitamins and other pharmaceutical products. Hydrogen is also used in heat treating, glass, welding and other metallurgical applications as an inert or reducing atmosphere. |
