What element is produced industrially by steam reforming of natural gas?

The production of hydrogen through the process of steam reforming of natural gas is a well-established industrial method. In this process, natural gas, which is primarily composed of methane (CH4), reacts with steam (H2O) at high temperatures, typically between 700°C and 1,000°C, in the presence of a catalyst.

This reaction produces hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide as byproducts. The overall chemical reaction can be simplified as follows:

[

CH4 + H2O \rightarrow CO + 3H2

]

Here, each molecule of methane yields three molecules of hydrogen gas. Hydrogen produced in this manner is crucial for various industrial applications, including the production of ammonia via the Haber process, petrochemical refining, and as a potential clean fuel source.

The other elements listed—oxygen and nitrogen—are not produced by this method. While carbon can indeed be produced as a byproduct, it is not the primary product of steam reforming. Hence, hydrogen is the correct answer, being the primary product derived from the steam reforming process.