Lane hydrogen producer
Encyclopedia
The Lane hydrogen producer was an apparatus for hydrogen production
based on the steam-iron process and water gas
invented in 1903 by Howard Lane.
s for the Gordon-Bennet race
. Different Lane plants were in use around the world to inflate Zeppelins and military balloons.
was commonly produced with the single retort
like the Messerschmitt and the Bamag type, Lane introduced the multiple retort type. In the Lane generator water gas
was used to heat the retorts up to 600-800 °C after which water gas-air was used in the retorts. In the steam-iron process the iron oxydises and has to be replaced with fresh metal, in the Lane hydrogen producer the iron is reduced
with water gas back to its metallic condition, after which the process restarts.
Hydrogen production
Hydrogen production is the family of industrial methods for generating hydrogen. Currently the dominant technology for direct production is steam reforming from hydrocarbons. Many other methods are known including electrolysis and thermolysis...
based on the steam-iron process and water gas
Water gas
Water gas is a synthesis gas, containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It is a useful product but requires careful handling because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas is made by passing steam over a red-hot hydrocarbon fuel such as coke:...
invented in 1903 by Howard Lane.
History
The first Lane hydrogen producer was demonstrated in St. Louis in 1907 to inflate balloonBalloon (aircraft)
A balloon is a type of aircraft that remains aloft due to its buoyancy. A balloon travels by moving with the wind. It is distinct from an airship, which is a buoyant aircraft that can be propelled through the air in a controlled manner....
s for the Gordon-Bennet race
Gordon Bennett Cup in ballooning
The Gordon Bennett Cup is the world's oldest gas balloon race, and is "regarded as the premier event of world balloon racing" according to the Los Angeles Times. Referred to as the "Blue Ribbon" of aeronautics, the first race started from Paris, France, on September 30, 1906...
. Different Lane plants were in use around the world to inflate Zeppelins and military balloons.
Process description
Where hydrogenHydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
was commonly produced with the single retort
Retort
In a chemistry laboratory, a retort is a glassware device used for distillation or dry distillation of substances. It consists of a spherical vessel with a long downward-pointing neck. The liquid to be distilled is placed in the vessel and heated...
like the Messerschmitt and the Bamag type, Lane introduced the multiple retort type. In the Lane generator water gas
Water gas
Water gas is a synthesis gas, containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It is a useful product but requires careful handling because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas is made by passing steam over a red-hot hydrocarbon fuel such as coke:...
was used to heat the retorts up to 600-800 °C after which water gas-air was used in the retorts. In the steam-iron process the iron oxydises and has to be replaced with fresh metal, in the Lane hydrogen producer the iron is reduced
Redox
Redox reactions describe all chemical reactions in which atoms have their oxidation state changed....
with water gas back to its metallic condition, after which the process restarts.
See also
- Iron oxide cycleIron oxide cycleThe iron oxide cycle is a two-step thermochemical cycle proposed for use for hydrogen production.-Process description:The thermochemical two-step water splitting process uses redox systems...
- Sponge iron reactionSponge iron reactionThe sponge iron reaction is a chemical process based on redox cycling of an iron-based contact mass, the first cycle is a conversion step between iron metal and wuestite , the second cycle is a conversion step between wuestite and magnetite .-Process description:The process has two modes, a...
- Water gas shift reactionWater gas shift reactionThe water-gas shift reaction is a chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide reacts with water vapor to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen:The water-gas shift reaction is an important industrial reaction. It is often used in conjunction with steam reforming of methane or other hydrocarbons, which is...
- Timeline of hydrogen technologiesTimeline of hydrogen technologiesTimeline of hydrogen technologies — A timeline of the history of hydrogen technology.-1600s:* 1625 - First description of hydrogen by Johann Baptista van Helmont...
- Chemical looping combustionChemical looping combustionChemical looping combustion typically employs a dual fluidized bed system where a metal oxide is employed as a bed material providing the oxygen for combustion in the fuel reactor...