10-04-2012, 05:07 PM
Hydrogen Car
Seminar synopsis.docx (Size: 454.36 KB / Downloads: 325)
What is a hydrogen car?
Honda FCX Clarity, a hydrogen fuel cell demonstration vehicle introduced in 2008
A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for motive power. Hydrogen vehicles include hydrogen fueled space rockets, as well as automobiles and other transportation vehicles. The power plants of such vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors.
How is hydrogen produced for such vehicles?
Hydrogen fuel does not occur naturally on Earth and thus is not an energy source, but is an energy carrier. Currently it is most frequently made from methane or other fossil fuels. However, although production of hydrogen is simple, it is the storage of hydrogen gas which poses a big problem.
Advantages of using hydrogen as a fuel:
• Hydrogen as a fuel produces only water vapour when burnt in air, thus making it a clean and non-polluting fuel.
• An engine running on hydrogen is less complicated than a conventional engine running on fossil fuels.
• It is not subject to high temperatures, corrosion or any of the structural weaknesses found in conventional engines.
• It runs quietly and operates without noise.
Disadvantages of using hydrogen as a fuel:
• The cost of replacing the current oil-based infrastructure with hydrogen would be huge.
• Although abundant in the universe, hydrogen is fairly rare in our atmosphere and hence it has to be extracted, which is a very expensive process.
• Storage is a major issue; a hydrogen tank would currently be too large for a car.
• Hydrogen cars have lower fuel economy compared to conventional automobiles.
• Hydrogen, being highly flammable, poses risks of explosions.
• Moreover, its low density means that the possibility of a leakage is very high.
• Currently, hydrogen fuel cells are relatively expensive to produce.
Conclusion:
Every new idea has its own pros and cons in its development stages. However progress in science and technology will ensure that these problems will be overcome. Rising petrol prices and diminishing oil supplies may drive motorists to demand alternative forms of fuel such as hydrogen.
Seminar synopsis.docx (Size: 454.36 KB / Downloads: 325)
What is a hydrogen car?
Honda FCX Clarity, a hydrogen fuel cell demonstration vehicle introduced in 2008
A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for motive power. Hydrogen vehicles include hydrogen fueled space rockets, as well as automobiles and other transportation vehicles. The power plants of such vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors.
How is hydrogen produced for such vehicles?
Hydrogen fuel does not occur naturally on Earth and thus is not an energy source, but is an energy carrier. Currently it is most frequently made from methane or other fossil fuels. However, although production of hydrogen is simple, it is the storage of hydrogen gas which poses a big problem.
Advantages of using hydrogen as a fuel:
• Hydrogen as a fuel produces only water vapour when burnt in air, thus making it a clean and non-polluting fuel.
• An engine running on hydrogen is less complicated than a conventional engine running on fossil fuels.
• It is not subject to high temperatures, corrosion or any of the structural weaknesses found in conventional engines.
• It runs quietly and operates without noise.
Disadvantages of using hydrogen as a fuel:
• The cost of replacing the current oil-based infrastructure with hydrogen would be huge.
• Although abundant in the universe, hydrogen is fairly rare in our atmosphere and hence it has to be extracted, which is a very expensive process.
• Storage is a major issue; a hydrogen tank would currently be too large for a car.
• Hydrogen cars have lower fuel economy compared to conventional automobiles.
• Hydrogen, being highly flammable, poses risks of explosions.
• Moreover, its low density means that the possibility of a leakage is very high.
• Currently, hydrogen fuel cells are relatively expensive to produce.
Conclusion:
Every new idea has its own pros and cons in its development stages. However progress in science and technology will ensure that these problems will be overcome. Rising petrol prices and diminishing oil supplies may drive motorists to demand alternative forms of fuel such as hydrogen.