Hydrogen Might Be an Answer, But Not the Way You Think

2015-05-31 By Structure within Freedom Alternative Energy 43

74

For years the public has been hearing about how hydrogen might be the answer as an alternative fuel source to fossil fuels. The public listens to vague plans of hydrogen fuel cells mounted on or under their cars, and filling them up at modified gas stations. The so-called reasons for them not already being in production often revolve around safety. The public is also hesitant to sign on to what they consider as a new and untried technology. What most don’t realize is that hydrogen powered internal combustion engines aren’t new – although the idea of a hydrogen fuel cell is newer than the technology itself. Hydrogen just might be one of the answers to a safe form of energy, just not the way people are being led to think.

 

The history of the internal combustion engine is an interesting topic, and one still debated among scholars and various national interests. Most ignore all prior engines to the gas-fired internal combustion engine built by Jean Joseph Etienne Lenior in 1860. Many more don’t consider any engines built before the four-stroke engine (the closest relative to the modern automobile engine). If one goes by the terms internal combustion engine, then there are several examples prior to 1860. For example: Christiaan Huygens designed a gunpowder driven water pump which used a rudimentary piston in the 17th century. Many of those earlier designs are impractical, or they used fuels such as coal dust.

The first hydrogen powered internal combustion engine was built by Francois Isaac de Rivaz in 1807. His engine injected oxygen and hydrogen into a cylinder which was ignited by an electric spark. Where that design differs from the modern idea of the fuel cell driven vehicle is that it separated hydrogen from water mixed with an electrolyte. The hydrogen cell method uses stored hydrogen which is injected into the engine. The electrolysis method of hydrogen generation is to create oxyhydrogen ( hydroxy or Brown’s Gas) by running an electric current through electrodes in an electrolyte and water solution. This is then injected into the cylinder where combustion takes place. Modern gas powered engines have oxygen censors, computers, and various other censors. It takes quite a bit of modification to get them to run completely on hydrogen.

For now, a gasoline engine slightly modified to run on both hydrogen and gas will have several benefits. First, the addition of the Brown’s gas in the cylinder with the gasoline will cause more of the fuel to be consumed during combustion – reducing the amount of gasoline needed to run the engine. Next, because there is hydrogen and oxygen in the cylinder the waste product (exaust) will mostly be the recombined hydrogen and oxygen (H2O) vapor. Another benefit is that the mixture, instead of building up carbon in the cylinders, will serve to keep the engine cleaner. With better compression and a few censors an engine currently designed for gasoline could be produced to run completely on the hydroxy mixture. Research is still ongoing to further refine the process of separating hydrogen and oxygen so that only the hydrogen will be used.

The Department of Energy (DOE) does not currently allow the mass production and sale of hydrogen boosters in the US. Part of the reason is that the use of certain materials as electrodes can also produce dangerous materials such as hexavalent chromium from using stainless steel. Other reasons are listed, but most of them boil down to commerce under the guise of protecting the public safety.

The current method of creating hydrogen for fuel cells is by using fossil fuels. With a small investment in hydrogen on demand technology car manufacturers could produce vehicles which run fully on hydrogen for a fraction of the cost. Hydrogen cell technology will require a continued reliance on fossil fuels until a more efficient method to mass produce hydrogen is introduced.

 

About the Author – SelJones | Sam Jones recently was having a debate about the use of hydrogen as an alternative use of energy for the future, energy comparison for the future is worth considering. | Article Source: Hydrogen Might Be an Answer, But Not the Way You Think | images: Cell by Виталий Смолыгин
Car Dashboard by Junior Libby, Speed by Виталий Смолыгин, Car Engine by Sergiusz Rydosz

43 Comments

  5. @ Mike I know what your mean. In todays economy its difficult to find a job that pays well and is consistent. I have found that if you just work hard and are consistent you can succeed. Look at the writer of this article, they are clearly a hard worker and have just been consistent over time and are now enjoying at least what would appear as somewhat of a success. I would encourage everyone to just keep hustling and moving forward.
    shop roger vivier http://www.rogervivierforsale.com

  23. Took me time to read all of the feedback, but I really loved the article. It proved to be very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters right here! Its always good when you can not solely be informed, but in addition engaged! Im positive you had pleasure penning this article. Anyway, in my language, there arent a lot good supply like this.
    cheap stuart weitzman http://www.belue.co.uk

  24. This is definitely a website that people need to get behind. The problem is, no one wants to do a huge deal of reading and not have something else to stimulate the mind. This is the internet, after all. Maybe if you added a video or two to emphasise your point. Ill stick around, FOR SURE. But, I dont know if others will.
    cheap ralph lauren sale https://droos.org/ralph-lauren/

  29. Are you fed up of wearing clothes that dont fit OR embarrassed when you see that roll of fat over your jeans in photos? Well, worry no longer this site can help as long as you TAKE ACTION! There is a FREE weight loss book to the right and professional diets that we highly recommend check the reviews to see why!
    jimmy choo for sale http://www.jimmychoosale.online

  31. Took me time for you to check out all the comments, but I truly enjoyed the post. It proved to be in actual fact helpful to me and I’m sure to all of the commenters right here! It’s usually huge when you can not just be informed, but additionally engaged! I’m certain you had enjoyable writing this write-up.
    emu boots for sale http://emu.ttravelmint.com

  32. i was reading throught some of the posts and i identify them to be plumb interesting. apologetic my english is not exaclty the exceptionally best. would there be anyway to transalte this into my argot, spanish. it would actually help me a lot. since i could approach the english interaction to the spanish language.
    Ugg Outlet Online http://ugg.vidaaposvinte.com

  43. Took me time to read all the comments, but I truly enjoyed the article. It proved to become Very useful to me and Im certain to all the commenters here It is always great when you can not only be informed, but also entertained Im positive you had fun writing this post.
    cheap ecco http://www.cheapecco.cc

Comments are closed.

Copyright © 2024 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes