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Purveyor

(29,876 posts) Thu Jun 5, 2014, 12:21 PM Jun 2014

Hydrogen Fuel Finally Graduating From Lab to City Streets

By Christopher Martin Jun 5, 2014 4:52 AM ET

Once relegated to the realm of science projects, hydrogen fuel cells are starting to displace fossil fuels as a means of powering cars, homes and businesses.

On June 10, in the latest addition to mainstream fuel-cell use, Hyundai Motor Co. will begin deliveries of a consumer SUV in Southern California. The technology is already producing electricity for the grid in Connecticut. AT&T Inc. is using fuel cells to power server farms, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. uses hydrogen-powered fork lifts. Later this summer, FedEx Corp. will begin using hydrogen cargo tractors at its Memphis air hub.

“This is the most exciting time for fuel cells in my career,” said Daniel Dedrick, head of hydrogen and combustion technologies at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California. The hydrogen market “is starting to accelerate.”

Fuel cells produce electricity from hydrogen in a process that dates back to the 1830s, yet high costs have historically made the technology better suited for Apollo space missions and Soviet submarines. In recent years, the technology has made big strides, and prices are falling. And because the process produces little or no greenhouse gases, hydrogen power stands to get a boost in the wake of President Barack Obama’s recent call for tighter controls on carbon emissions.

Early Days

It’s still early days for hydrogen power. Prominent skeptics, including former Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Tesla Motors Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, have questioned whether the technology will ever catch on.

more...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-04/clean-hydrogen-advances-amid-fuel-cell-technology-gains.html

3 replies

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Hydrogen Fuel Finally Graduating From Lab to City Streets (Original Post) Purveyor Jun 2014 OP

WARNING - waste product alert packman Jun 2014 #1

I had a science teacher in high school who used to go on about dihydrogen oxide. Iggo Jun 2014 #2

k/r nationalize the fed Jun 2014 #3

packman

(16,296 posts)

1. WARNING - waste product alert

Reply to Purveyor (Original post)

Thu Jun 5, 2014, 12:43 PM

Jun 2014

the waste product - dihydrogen monoxide is frequently lethal if inhaled in its liquid form and often found in people prone to rages and fits. Excessive amounts are found in chemical bathing pools and is used in many, many industrial products.

"Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, a species shown to mutate DNA, denature proteins, disrupt cell membranes, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters. The atomic components of DHMO are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol"

http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html

Iggo

(47,534 posts)

2. I had a science teacher in high school who used to go on about dihydrogen oxide.

Reply to packman (Reply #1)

Thu Jun 5, 2014, 12:46 PM

Jun 2014

The dreaded HOH.

nationalize the fed

(2,169 posts)

3. k/r

Reply to Purveyor (Original post)

Thu Jun 5, 2014, 05:35 PM

Jun 2014

The only exhaust is water

Top Gear reviews a Hydrogen Electric Honda Clarity in 2008
http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/honda-clarity

“This is the most exciting time for fuel cells in my career,” said Daniel Dedrick. It's the dawning of the Hydrogen age. Clean, unlimited energy.

a Honda solar hydrogen gas station

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