Question

List two major industrial uses of hydrogen.

Short answer

Two major industrial uses of hydrogen are –

• For carrying out Haber Process.
• For the Hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids.

Step-by-step solution

Important uses of hydrogen

The two most important industrial uses of hydrogen are in the Haber process and in the process of hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils to produce solid shortenings that are saturated.

Haber Process

The principal industrial process for the manufacturing of ammonia today is the Haber process, also known as the Haber-Bosch process, which is an artificial nitrogen fixation process.

${\text{3H}}_2{\text{(g) +N}}_{\text{2}}\text{(g)}\to {\text{2NH}}_3\text{(g)}$

Hydrogenation Process

By adding hydrogen to the unsaturated bonds on the fatty acid chains connected to the triglyceride backbone, hydrogenation is a chemical reaction. Unsaturated fat can become saturated fat in this manner, raising its melting point.

Therefore, hydrogen can be used for the Haber process and the Hydrogenation of oils in industries.