Hydrogen as Fuel for Motor Vehicles
Hydrogen as fuel for motor vehicles, is this a great idea? As early as 1970s, plans for hydrogen powered vehicles have been in the works. Scientists and researchers believe that these cars can change the future. People know for a fact that there is great abundance of hydrogen and unlike fossil fuels, scarcity is not a problem. With regards to exhaust emissions, it cannot increase the presence of greenhouse gases here on Earth.
Environmentalists love the idea of hydrogen fuel and no one can really tell what will happen in the near future. However, according to some studies, improper production of hydrogen fuel can emit nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides can add to global warming since it causes acid rain. This can be prevented and minimized through appropriate engine timing as well as optimized hydrogen concentration.
Hydrogen cars can use the alternative fuel using two approaches. The first approach will be to use fuel cells and the other one is to modify the internal combustion engine of your car.
Hybrid cars can either use gasoline and hydrogen. Two tanks are found in the car; one for gas and the other for hydrogen. Dual tanks are recommended at present because hydrogen stations are uncommon. In the whole US alone, there are only over 100 hydrogen stations. With two tanks, you can refuel with gasoline and the car will still run. This is a practical way of conquering the road and at the same time, cutting down gas costs.
With the use of fuel cells, you can double the range run of your motor vehicle. You will simply use water and the hydrogen there will react with oxygen. Water vapor is produced as well as the needed electricity to power the motor vehicle.
The problem seen by experts when using hydrogen as fuel for motor vehicles is that it’s not actually an independent fuel. It basically stores energy. The power needed should be extracted from hydrogen and presently, the process involves the use of fossil fuels.
Storing hydrogen in the motor vehicle is also a great consideration. The hydrogen should always be in liquid form and to do this, the temperature should be maintained at 253 degrees Celsius. If the temperature gets warmer, hydrogen will soon be in gas form. Tremendous insulated tanks are needed as well as venting systems.
Only when the possible problems are solved can the world fully benefit from hydrogen powered vehicles. Aside from that, hydrogen stations should be increased so that the car owners can easily refuel when they ran out of hydrogen. Perhaps the hydrogen motor vehicles used at present are quite expensive but in the future, perhaps more affordable hydrogen powered vehicles will be offered to the pubic.
In fact, popular car manufacturers like General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Ford, etc. are designing hydrogen powered motor vehicles that are priced similar to ordinary gas-consuming vehicles.
People can only hope that the so-called future cars will be a reality. If you want to experience using hydrogen as fuel, you can have your car converted. With dual tanks, you can save money and just in case you can’t find a hydrogen station, you can always refuel with gasoline.
Hydrogen as fuel for motor vehicles will definitely be a big hit in the coming years. For now, try to help save the environment with other means.
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