Posted on 11/30/2014 9:35:53 AM PST by Olog-hai
The once-distant promise of clean, affordable hydrogen-powered cars is starting to become a reality. Several major automakers, including Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, have started or will soon start selling these cars, which will be more expensive than comparable gasoline models but a lot cheaper than they were just a few years ago. Executives at Toyota say that the cost of making the critical components of hydrogen vehicles has fallen 95 percent since 2008. […]
The broad adoption of hydrogen-powered cars, which emit only water and heat, could play an important role, along with electric vehicles, in lowering emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants responsible for climate change. […]
Most hydrogen today is created from natural gas in a process that generates carbon dioxide. But scientists say fuel cells are still good for the environment, because making hydrogen produces far fewer emissions than burning fossil fuels. Hydrogen could be produced more cleanly by using alternative energy sources like solar and wind power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. And it can be generated from renewable sources like sewage and animal waste. …
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Actually, gasoline has to be atomized in order to burn properly.
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To burn most efficiently, yes. But as a foolish teenage given the task of burning our trash in the burn barrel, I can assure you, it burns REALLY WELL, just about any way you try to combine the liquid and flame.
I also know, that a paper sack full of trash will launch from a 55 gallon drum flaming garbage spread over ~20’ radius if allowed to set long enough to first evaporate enough of the liquid.
Much of that gas is carbon monoxide. Be wary if building such a system.
Unless the makers of battery-only EVs can get around the current slow charging times, there's potential utility in hydrogen.
Even if Elon Musk calls fuel cells "Bullsh*t".
Germany is jumping off a no-nuke cliff. Japan is drifting away from nuke power.
How do they plan on liberating all this wonderful hydrogen from the bonds that lock it up if they don’t have nuke power at their disposal?
On the man’s stated temperature range in wood gas systems, mild steel begins to melt for work at about 2500 to 2700 degrees Fahrenheit, but it softens and erodes quickly at much lower temperatures (roughly, temps higher than about 1000 degrees, F).
Highest potential for leakage is a result of H2 being the smallest molecule.
Some of the AGM batteries can charge very fast (very low internal resistance), but they’re expensive. I use low cost, flooded lead-acid batteries with thick plates for a small PV solar plant for home power.
I wouldn’t have an electric car up here, though (very risky), even if there were available grid power nearby. There are mountain passes at every exit to this area. Temps go down to the minus 30s F, and winds go over 100 mph in winter. Batteries won’t take that, unless they’re actively heated (big waste, very expensive). Bills from rural electric companies are high. There aren’t many garages around, either (vigilant property tax banditos—another cost).
Something else is lacking: powerful four-wheel-drive, high clearance, electric vehicles that will go through deep ice that drifts into dunes with the consistency and weight of sand.
I was thinking more along the lines of the Shuttle. When they were preparing it for launch, they had to allow for a certain amount of fuel to boil off, and they also had to launch within eight hours of the scheduled time, or they wouldn’t have enough fuel to launch.
Sounds like you have some challenging conditions!
My only experience with H2 was in my high school Chemistry class. My Chemistry teacher formed soap bubbles with O2 and H2 in his hand. About the size of a baseball.
He then instructed us to open our mouths (to even the shock wave pressure on our ear drums) and lit the handful of foamy bubbles. Easily one of the loudest explosions I have ever experienced. Louder than my 357 and I could feel the heat/shock-wave against my face. Probably close to when the national park service fired off a civil war cannon at the Vicksburg National Park. Lol.
The thing about gasoline is that it burns in a flame versus explodes. Seems like the quicker you can get something to consume its energy, means a greater force. And dispersing the fuel amongst the surrounding oxygen, means a greater yield.
H2 is already in gas form and with a little pressure behind it, mixes well with air although it might rise quickly since it is more buoyant than air. Gasoline is contained within the gas tank even when the gas cap is removed.
On the other hand, if the H2 disperses quickly enough, it is less of a threat. That is why FAE Bombs work well in a contained area like caves and tunnels.
Disclaimer: I am no expert and I could be wrong. Just makes sense. :)
I’m sure they were saying the same thing when the idea of carrying around 20 gallons of gasoline was introduced...
Hydrogen isn’t being burned in this solution. The chemical reaction using a catalyst is generating electricity.
The dispersion is almost immediate. If it doesn't ignite as soon as it leaks, it is gone.
Yup. Light gasses. Lighter than helium.
And unless it is trapped some way like a tunnel.
Not many tunnels have the middle higher than either end.
And they have a ventilation system. Although they are picky what is allowed to use it. Example: Eisenhower tunnel.
Unless the makers of battery-only EVs can get around the current slow charging times, there’s potential utility in hydrogen.
Even if Elon Musk calls fuel cells “Bullsh*t”.
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I think that both technologies will improve steadily in terms of price/performance. For a couple of decades we’re going to be treated to a seriously fun/interesting competition between several large transportation systems including internal combustion/oil, natural gas/internal combustion, hydrogen/fuel cell, hybrids and electric cars— which will have the effect of bringing down transportation costs substantially. I hope they all survive because its best to have a diversity of fuels engines for load balancing reasons.
How do they plan on liberating all this wonderful hydrogen from the bonds that lock it up if they don’t have nuke power at their disposal?
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cheapest method for creating hydrogen is steam reforming. Everybody does it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_reforming
Another more expensive method will be to use solar and wind to create electricity for electrolysis or cracking hydrogen out of water.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water
Picked it up off of wicki.
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