Hydrogeny

Hydrogeny is a neologism used in some scientific and educational contexts to denote the study of hydrogen, its properties, and its applications. It is not a standard term in formal chemistry, where the subject would typically be referred to as hydrogen science or hydrogen chemistry. The word derives from hydro- (water) and -geny (origin or production), echoing the etymology of hydrogen, but hydrogeny itself is infrequently used outside certain circles.

The scope typically includes the chemical behavior of hydrogen and its isotopes, production methods, storage and transport, and its roles in energy and industry. Key topics include the behavior of H2 as a diatomic gas, the properties of protium, deuterium, and tritium, and the mechanisms of reaction with other elements. Production methods such as electrolysis, steam methane reforming, and emerging green pathways are covered, as are storage options including compressed gas, liquefied hydrogen, and solid-state carriers. Safety considerations focus on flammability, low ignition energy, and material compatibility.

Applications of the broader concept align with hydrogen’s role in energy systems and industry. These include fuel cells for electricity generation and transportation, chemical synthesis such as hydrogenation, refining processes, metallurgy, and potential uses in decarbonized power and industrial sectors. In academic and professional contexts, hydrogeny is more often a semantic informalism; mainstream literature typically uses hydrogen science, hydrogen chemistry, or discussions of the hydrogen economy to describe similar topics.

See also: Hydrogen, Hydrogen isotopes, Hydrogen economy, Electrolysis, Fuel cell, Hydrogen storage.