How can hydrogen be made from an alkane?

Hydrogen is made from hydrocarbons by reactions known as steam reforming. The most common source material is methane. At high temperatures (between 700 and 1100 degrees C)

CH4 + H2O --> CO + 3H2

The temperature is then lowered to about 260 degrees C and further hydrogen is produced:

CO + H2O --> CO2 + H2

This second step is known as the water gas shift reaction.