Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Hydrogen scrubbing?

Draeger - 24-5-2020 at 08:55

Is there any way one could scrub hydrogen? Usually I just put a funnel backwards on top of an erlenmeyer flask and attach tubing to outside, and it seems to have worked. What's annoying though is that I have to open a window for days at a time, no matter what kind of weather and temperature it is, and I was wondering if there is any alternative to my method, like a scrubber or something like that.

Refinery - 24-5-2020 at 08:59

I would just get a long tube and lead it outside. Longest tubes and hoses I've had for my projects were, well, garden hoses across the yard.

Burning it would be risky due to backfire which could cause noise and damage.

[Edited on 24-5-2020 by Refinery]

Draeger - 24-5-2020 at 09:12

Quote: Originally posted by Refinery  
I would just get a long tube and lead it outside. Longest tubes and hoses I've had for my projects were, well, garden hoses across the yard.

Burning it would be risky due to backfire which could cause noise and damage.

[Edited on 24-5-2020 by Refinery]

Leading it outside is basically what I've always done, and since I can only do things inside burning it is definitely very much not anything I've ever considered.

Lion850 - 24-5-2020 at 12:54


posted on 25-5-2020 at 06:52


Depending on the rate of production and situation can you connect a balloon and collect the hydrogen? As a bonus you later watch the balloons soar into the sky or blow them up; makes a nice pop :)

Draeger - 24-5-2020 at 16:47

Quote: Originally posted by Lion850  

posted on 25-5-2020 at 06:52


Depending on the rate of production and situation can you connect a balloon and collect the hydrogen? As a bonus you later watch the balloons soar into the sky or blow them up; makes a nice pop :)

That's a nice idea. Sadly, letting balloons soar into the sky is illegal here since it interferes with aircraft, and blowing it up is not an option with my neighbors. So not really something I could do.

j_sum1 - 24-5-2020 at 21:31

Hydrogen disperses very quickly. if you are producing at lowish rates, I would not even bother trying to do anything with it.
I suppose if you were making litres per minute then you might get a blanket at the top of a well sealed room and you might have an indoor explosion hazard. In which case leading it to outside would be prudent.