Question

Hydrogen has been used as a rocket fuel. Would you consider it a cleaner fuel than CNG? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Hydrogen is considered the best fuel as it has the highest calorific value. It is used as a fuel wherever necessary. It is a zero-carbon emitting fuel. It is used in engines, jets etc. CNG is compressed natural gas. It is a non-renewable source of energy. It is also used to run engines.

Complete answer:
The hydrogen is majorly used as a fuel in running rockets. The hydrogen is the lightest and its weight is less as compared to that of air. It has a high calorific value and liberates a greater amount of energy.
Any fuel like CNG, or fossil fuel on combustion liberates carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is the major green-house gas and also causes acid rain. The hydrogen on oxidation produces water which makes it the cleanest form of fuel.

Production of hydrogen:
The hydrogen is not present in the purest form in the atmosphere. The maximum amount of hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels through partial oxidation of methane or coal gasification. It is also produced by the electrolysis of water.

Advantage of Hydrogen over CNG-
1)It is environment friendly as hydrogen produces very less around 70% carbon and its oxides less than that of CNG.
2)The heat produced by hydrogen is relatively greater than that of CNG.

Note: Disadvantages of using hydrogen as a fuel are
1)When the hydrogen is used to run engines, it produces nitrogen oxide which is toxic.
2)The hydrogen is highly inflammable. So it is difficult to store, handle or transport.
3)The production of hydrogen is expensive.
4)It is dependent on fossil fuel.
5)The energy produced from hydrogen is not sufficient to cater the demands.