Frequently Asked Questions

Most hydrogen today goes into oil refining, ammonia for fertilizer, methanol and other chemicals. It is also used in metal processing, glass and electronics manufacturing. Newer uses are growing quickly: fuel for trucks, buses and forklifts, zero-emission backup and mobile power, and energy storage that pairs with solar and wind.

The color describes how the hydrogen was made, not how it looks. Gray hydrogen comes from natural gas through steam methane reforming, with the CO2 released. Blue hydrogen uses the same process but captures and stores most of the CO2. Green hydrogen is made by electrolysis using renewable electricity, so production is essentially emission-free. The gas itself is chemically identical in every case.

One kilogram of hydrogen holds about the same energy as one gallon of gasoline, roughly 33 kWh. Hydrogen carries about three times more energy per kilogram than gasoline or diesel, but it is very light, so it has to be compressed to high pressure or liquefied to store a useful amount in a practical space.

In many applications, yes. Fuel cell trucks, buses, forklifts and generators can do the work of diesel equipment with water as the only exhaust, less noise and fewer moving parts. The trade-offs today are higher upfront equipment cost and the need for a reliable hydrogen supply, which is why sizing production, storage and refueling together matters.

Most of the world's hydrogen is made from natural gas through steam methane reforming. The other main route is electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. THS offers both: electrolysis systems built around Enapter AEM electrolyzers, and reforming and generation technology through our partners Element 1 and H2 Pan.

An electrolyzer passes direct current through purified water inside a stack of cells. Oxygen forms at one electrode and hydrogen at the other, and a membrane or electrolyte keeps the two gases apart. Systems range from compact modular units for pilot projects to multi-megawatt plants, and they can scale by adding stacks or modules.

Alkaline electrolyzers are the most mature and lowest-cost option, but they are bulky and slower to follow changing power. PEM electrolyzers are compact and respond quickly, but rely on costly precious-metal catalysts. AEM electrolyzers, like the Enapter units THS supplies, aim to combine the compact, responsive design of PEM with the lower-cost materials of alkaline technology.

Chemistry sets the minimum at about 9 liters of water per kilogram of hydrogen. Real systems use more, often 10 to 20 liters, once water purification and cooling are included. Electricity use for commercial electrolyzers typically falls between 50 and 60 kWh per kilogram, depending on the technology and how the system is operated.

It depends on how much you use and how steady your demand is. Delivered hydrogen in cylinders or tube trailers is a simple way to start. On-site production removes delivery logistics and can lower cost at higher, consistent volumes, especially with access to low-cost or renewable power. We can model both options for your site before you commit.

Hydrogen is the lightest gas there is, so at normal pressure it takes up an enormous amount of space. Compression packs more hydrogen into storage vessels and vehicle tanks and provides the pressure needed for fast refueling. Electrolyzers usually deliver hydrogen at around 30 bar, so a booster or compressor is needed to reach storage and dispensing pressures.

These are the two standard vehicle fueling pressures. 350 bar (about 5,000 psi) is common for buses, heavy trucks and forklifts. 700 bar (about 10,000 psi) is used mainly for passenger cars, where tank space is tight. 700 bar stations need higher storage pressure, often up to 1,000 bar, and chill the hydrogen during fueling. See our compression systems.

Most hydrogen is stored as a compressed gas in steel or composite cylinders, tube trailers or stationary storage banks, typically from 200 to 1,000 bar depending on the application. It can also be stored as a liquid at about -253°C for large volumes. The right choice depends on how much you need on hand, how fast you draw it down and your site layout.

Hydrogen can make some metals brittle over time, a process called hydrogen embrittlement. Austenitic stainless steels such as 316/316L are the preferred choice for tubing, fittings and valves in hydrogen service, and ASME B31.12 sets requirements for hydrogen piping. Through PHC, we stock hydrogen-rated components from more than 40 brands.

Refueling is fast. A hydrogen forklift typically refuels in about two to three minutes, compared with 15 to 20 minutes for a battery swap. Cars and trucks fill in a timeframe similar to gasoline or diesel, depending on tank size, pressure and station capacity. That speed is a major reason fleets running multiple shifts choose hydrogen.

A station needs a hydrogen supply (delivered or produced on site), compression, high-pressure storage, a dispenser and safety and control systems. Larger and 700 bar stations also need precooling. Site layout, permitting and fire code review are part of the process. THS integrates complete refueling systems, from compact units to high-capacity fleet stations.

Yes. Mobile refuelers carry storage, compression and dispensing on a trailer, so fleets can refuel at a job site, depot or event without building a permanent station. They are also a practical way to support a fleet while a permanent station is being permitted and built. THS builds mobile hydrogen refueling systems and also offers drone filling solutions.

A fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, with water and heat as the only byproducts. There is no combustion, so it runs quietly with very few moving parts. Cells are stacked to reach the power level needed, from small backup units to mobile and stationary generators that power equipment and buildings.

For many backup and mobile power needs, yes. Fuel cell generators produce zero emissions at the point of use, run quietly enough for neighborhoods, hospitals and events, and need less maintenance than engines. THS offers 20 kW and 60 kW zero-emission mobile power units, which are eligible for California CORE incentives.

Runtime is limited only by how much hydrogen is on hand. Adding cylinders or storage extends runtime without changing the fuel cell itself, which is a key difference from batteries, where more runtime means more battery. With a resupply plan in place, a fuel cell generator can keep running for days or weeks during an extended outage.

Fuel cells need very clean hydrogen. Vehicle fuel cells require at least 99.97% purity under the ISO 14687 and SAE J2719 standards, because trace contaminants such as sulfur or carbon monoxide can damage the catalyst and shorten its life. Your production method, storage and handling all affect purity, so they need to be designed together.

Hydrogen has been produced and used safely in industry for decades. It is non-toxic and about 14 times lighter than air, so it rises and disperses quickly in open or ventilated areas. It is also flammable over a wide range and colorless, which is why systems rely on proper design, ventilation, leak detection and trained people. THS is AIChE certified in hydrogen safety.

In the U.S., the main code is NFPA 2, the Hydrogen Technologies Code, which covers production, storage, piping, dispensing and use. ASME B31.12 covers hydrogen piping, and your state and local fire codes also apply. Your local fire marshal or authority having jurisdiction reviews and permits the installation, so code planning should start early in the project.

The federal 45V clean hydrogen production tax credit pays up to about $3 per kilogram, depending on lifecycle emissions, for qualifying facilities that begin construction before January 1, 2028. Some states offer their own programs, such as California's CORE voucher program for zero-emission equipment. Incentive rules change, so confirm eligibility with your tax advisor.

Total Hydrogen Solutions designs, engineers and builds systems that produce, compress, store, dispense and use hydrogen, then supports them in the field for their full lifecycle. As a division of Pneumatic and Hydraulic Company, we pair hydrogen system expertise with deep high-pressure experience and more than $4 million in component inventory.

We partner with established manufacturers across the hydrogen value chain, including Enapter, Element 1, H2 Pan, Haskel, HNO International, Honda, Intelligent Energy, Nuvera and PowerGenX. THS is an Enapter Core Partner and a U.S. distributor for Enapter AEM electrolyzers. See all the brands we represent.

Yes. Our team provides 24/7 product support, routine and preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and emergency on-site response to keep downtime to a minimum. Because we stock parts through our parent company, replacement components are often available right away. Learn about our support and service.

Start with a conversation about your application, how much hydrogen you need, your site and your timeline. From there we can recommend the right mix of production, compression, storage and dispensing or power equipment and outline next steps for permitting and installation. Contact our team or call 866-994-3209.