Home energy station prototype that produces hydrogen from natural gas while supplying electricity and hot water to the home. Torrance, CA (Photo: Honda R&D Co, Ltd) |
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Safety and handling are the two main issues with hydrogen delivery and use. Because hydrogen is such a light gas, it escapes readily, making its transportation and handling more difficult than natural gas. Hydrogen also has a wider flammability range than natural gas in air, making it potentially more hazardous. And when hydrogen burns there is no color - the flame is invisible. Improved sensing devices will need to be developed and building codes adjusted to address these challenges. (See also Safety.)