Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the lightest and simplest of all fuels. It can be used to power internal combustion engines and fuel cells. Hydrogen-powered vehicles and hydrogen fueling infrastructure are in early demonstration phases. Despite significant technologic and economic challenges that must be overcome, there is great hope that one day hydrogen may play a central role in the U.S. energy economy. The President’s $1.2 billion Hydrogen Initiative calls for a decision on the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered transportation in 2017.
Hydrogen is most commonly produced by reforming natural gas with steam or by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. The energy density of hydrogen is very low under ambient conditions. This presents larger transportation and storage issues than those with liquid fuels. Hydrogen is a very low density gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It carries a 130 octane rating and is extremely flammable over a wide range of concentrations in air.
Currently there are no OEM hydrogen vehicles available for sale. Experts estimate there is a possibility in 10-20 years that hydrogen vehicles will be seen on our roads. In a fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen is used to produce electricity that powers an electric drive train. When powered by pure hydrogen, there is no pollution and the only emission left is water…heat is the other “by-product” of a fuel cell vehicle.
Hydrogen Links
|
