Using Hydrogen as Fuel for Automobiles

The idea to use hydrogen as fuel for motor vehicles is not new. In the 1970s, there were plans to manufacture hydrogen-powered vehicles. Hydrogen powered vehicles are a revolution because hydrogen is abundant in nature (which is not the same with fossil fuels) and it is ecologically friendly (the exhaust emissions of hydrogen do not cause the greenhouse effect). Environmentalists admire the idea to use hydrogen as fuel.

If the use of hydrogen as fuel becomes widespread, this will certainly have a positive ecological effect. However, studies indicate that some technologies of hydrogen fuel production emit nitrogen oxides, which can lead to acid rains and this way contribute to global warming. Nevertheless, if the appropriate engine timing and optimized hydrogen concentration are used, the emission of nitrogen oxides can be minimized.

There are two approaches to using hydrogen as fuel - to modify the internal combustion engine of the car or to use fuel cells. When a car can use both gasoline and hydrogen as fuel, it is called a hybrid car. Hybrid cars have two tanks - one for gas and one for hydrogen. It is very convenient to have dual tanks because hydrogen stations are still rare. For example, overall territory of the United States, there are about 100 hydrogen stations.

When you have two tanks, you can run your car on gasoline, when you run out of hydrogen. This way you will have fuel all the time and spend less money on it. When you use hydrogen as fuel, you can increase two times the range run. Just put water and the hydrogen from the water will react with oxygen. This chemical reaction produces water vapor and the electricity you need to power your car.

According to experts, one of the issues when using hydrogen as fuel for motor vehicles is that hydrogen is not an independent energy source. Hydrogen is a nice storage place for energy but if you want to extract the energy from there, you have no choice but to use fossil fuels. Another issue when using hydrogen as fuel is how to store hydrogen in the car. Hydrogen must always be stored in a liquid form, which means that the temperature should be 253 degrees Celsius.

When the temperature goes over that threshold, hydrogen becomes a gas. Therefore, in order to keep hydrogen in a liquid form, you must have a venting system and huge isolated tanks. Using hydrogen as fuel on a mass scale will not be possible if these issues are not resolved. Additionally, if the number of hydrogen stations does not increase, it will be very inconvenient for car owners to refill their cars.

For the time being hydrogen, cars and motor vehicles in general are very expensive but it can be expected that in the future this will change. Actually, major car manufacturers, such as Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, etc. are working actively on the design on motor vehicles, which use hydrogen as fuel and the good news is that these vehicles are just a bit more expensive than the gas-powered ones. It is realistic to expect that motor vehicles, which use hydrogen as fuel, are the vehicles of the future.

However, you do not have to wait for the future to come - you can convert your car now. When your car has dual tanks, you will spend less on fuel. On the other hand, when there is not a hydrogen station nearby, you can always have your car filled with gas. It is a safe bet that hydrogen, as fuel will become very popular in less than a decade. Until then - choose a different way to make your contribution for saving the planet.

Martin Applebaum

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