Question

Which of the following statements is correct in context with the industrial preparation of hydrogen from water gas \[(CO + {H_2})\] ?
A.\[{H_2}\] is removed through occlusion with \[Pd\]
B.\[CO\] is oxidised to \[C{O_2}\] with steam in the presence of catalyst followed by absorption of \[C{O_2}\] in alkali
C.\[CO\] and \[{H_2}\]are fractionally separated using differences in their densities
D.\[CO\]is removed by absorption in aqueous \[C{u_2}C{l_2}\] solution

Answer 1

Hint: Water gas is the mixture of carbon monoxide \[(CO)\] and hydrogen gas \[({H_2})\] . It is produced by passing steam over hydrocarbons, over red hot coke at very high temperature. This reaction is known as a water-gas shift reaction.

Complete answer:
This water-gas shift reaction is helpful in decreasing the amount of \[C{O_2}\] and to have a tremendous increase in the quantity of hydrogen gas\[({H_2})\].
So, all this information is pointing towards the option B i.e. \[(CO)\] is oxidised to \[C{O_2}\] with steam in the presence of catalysts followed by absorption of \[C{O_2}\] in the alkali.
First, Carbon monoxide \[(CO)\] is converted to carbon dioxide \[(C{O_2})\] by passing steam and gases through \[CO\] over a catalysts such as cobalt oxide, iron oxide and chromium oxide at a high temperature of\[673K\].
\[CO + {H_2}0\xrightarrow[{673K}]{{CuO,F{e_2}{O_3}}}C{O_2} + {H_2}O\]
Then in the next step, Carbon dioxide is absorbed on alkali such as\[NaOH,KOH\].
\[C{O_2}\xrightarrow[{alkali}]{{NaOH}}N{a_2}C{O_3}\]
So, this process separates hydrogen gas from carbon dioxide and makes it easily available for collection. This pure hydrogen gas is used in the production of ammonia by Haber’s process.

Therefore, we can say that the correct answer to the above question is option B.

Note:
Scientists are investing a lot of focus on the production of cost effective Hydrogen as a fuel, because hydrogen has a high calorific value and most importantly because it produces carbon free products on combustion.