16-02-2013, 02:32 PM
Hydrogen car
Introduction:
In modern era the main emphasis is on conserving energy and environment .everyone has to be very cautious in daily life so as to preserve our resources. The non conventional energy resources are diminishing and environment is getting polluted. Hence hydrogen can be used as an alternative fuel to preserve both energy and environment
Imagine a world without fossil fuels. Currently fossil fuels support our whole way of life. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources such as coal, oil and natural gas. Fossil fuels provide electricity and heating for homes, businesses and factories, and power for our transportation. The Canadian economy is based on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, when fossil fuels are used they produce harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur compounds. We need to change our source of energy so we don't keep destroying our atmosphere.
In modern era the main emphasis is on conserving energy and environment .everyone has to be very cautious in daily life so as to preserve our resources. The non conventional energy resources are diminishing and environment is getting polluted. Hence hydrogen can be used as an alternative fuel to preserve both energy and environment
Why hydrogen cars?
There are serious problems that fossil fuel cars create. Some of these problems are depleted fossil fuel sources, pollution, and increased car production. Most of these problems could be eliminated with the use of hydrogen cars
The growing demand for fossil fuels is using up most of our fossil fuel reserves. Fossil fuels are not a renewable resource, so a new renewable energy source must be found. The rising cost of gasoline as it is depleted will make the cost of switching to the infrastructure of hydrogen more acceptable. Since hydrogen is so plentiful it is the logical choice to fulfill our future energy needs.
The pollution caused by gasoline cars is also a big issue in the environmental health of the Earth. The emissions of fossil fuel cars have been a main contributor in global warming. Also there are toxic chemicals in the emissions of cars. Heavy metal particles emitted from automobiles can cause sickness and lung disease and pollute surrounding water ways. Hydrogen cars' only emission is a nice mist of water that you could drink.
Hydrogen Fuelled Cars
In this section we will look at some of the current hydrogen technology and processes. There are many types of hydrogen fuel that we will explore. The example of the new BMW engine will show how a hydrogen engine is used in an internal combustion vehicle.
Types of Hydrogen Fuel
There are two different ways that hydrogen can fuel a vehicle. One way is to use hydrogen to fuel an internal combustion engine. The other method is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle.
Compressed hydrogen in either liquid or gaseous form can power an internal combustion engine. Compressed hydrogen is efficient but it is bulky and flammable. Liquid hydrogen, which is the most compressed form of hydrogen, is still lightweight although it is less efficient and also flammable. Sometimes hydrogen is delivered to the engine by materials that absorb and then release hydrogen. Some examples are metal hydride and ultra-porous nanotech material. Metal hydride is extremely compact but the down side is it is heavy, runs hot and is flammable. Ultra-porous nanotech material is compact and efficient, the only disadvantage is that it takes a long time to fill up a tank (15-30 min.).
Hydrogen problems
The serious problems that are affecting the development of hydrogen cars are; hydrogen storage, the high reactivity of hydrogen, the cost and methods of hydrogen fuel production, consumer demand and the cost of changing the infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen vehicleset
The concerns surrounding the storage of hydrogen are a major issue. Hydrogen must be stored at extremely low temperatures and high pressure. A container capable of withstanding these specifications is larger than a standard gas tank. Hydrogen storage could be viewed as a problem by consumers.
Hydrogen is extremely reactive. Hydrogen is combustible and flammable. The Hindenburg disaster, where a hydrogen filled blimp exploded and many people died, has caused a fear of hydrogen (See Fig. 14).