[V8] Diesels, hybrids, continued! - Hydrodgen

[Scott Justusson]

 I went to a SAE seminar on Hydrogen fuel vehicle technology.  I say that's tossing sand in the playlot more than any other technology.  The idea is attractive as zero emissions, but it has some major issues:
To be released as a gas 'supply' it either has to be super cooled or superheated
It must be stored at super high pressures
The tanks are massive and heavy
The amount of 'fuel energy' per volume is small
It's best use would be 'indirect' drive - as battery storage (see earlier battery tech issues)
Practical driving range is less than a battery only vehicle.
Seen now only as a possible secondary hybrid source (ie acceleration/passing enhancer) - but pretty far out there

All that said, researchers have found that rhodium is an excellent hydrogen release agent for hydrogen stored at room temperature.  The hydrogen binds to the rhodium, and when electricity is put across the rhodium, it then releases the hydrogen.  Problem: rhodium is one of the most expensive precious metals on the planet.

The above issues are so high in undeveloped technology requirements (without a non-existent infrastructure in production/distribution/sales), it's just tossing sand.  Certainly when we have sucked all the dynosaur blood from our earth, this is a 'concept' that has great potential.  If I was born today, I doubt it's anything I'd be alive to drive from my garage.

Cheers and my .02 arbitraged thru a traditional fuel tank

SJ
92 v8


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net>
To: v8 at audifans.com
Sent: Sat, Aug 6, 2011 5:17 pm
Subject: Re: [V8] Diesels, hybrids, continued!


 
I'd add hydrogen fuel cells to that list.  Some day the last gallon 
of petroleum, and the last cubic foot of propane/LPG/LNG, will be 
removed from the ground. Being able to use solar/wind/nuclear/tide 
generated electricity to generate the hydrogen to be pumped into 
a fuel cell for long-range capability may be the way to go long 
term. I think Honda is leading the way on this one. 
 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell#Automobiles> 
 
Short term, I'd take a TDI Passat wagon. 
 
-- Kent McLean 
1999 A4 Avant, V6 Tiptronic 
1990 200 Avant mit V8 conversion 
gone: too many to count, including my first, "Bad Puppy" 
 
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