Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumHydrogen breakthrough could be a game-changer
Hydrogen breakthrough could be a game-changer for the future of car fuelsUK researchers today announced what they believe to be a game changer in the use of hydrogen as a "green" fuel.
A new discovery by scientists at the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), offers a viable solution to the challenges of storage and cost by using ammonia as a clean and secure hydrogen-containing energy source to produce hydrogen on-demand in situ.
Hydrogen is considered by many to be the best alternative fuel for automotive purposes but there are complications with its safe and efficient storage and very significant concerns surrounding the costs of a hydrogen infrastructure for transportation. This new discovery may well have found the answers to both these challenges.
When the components of ammonia are separated (a technique known as cracking) they form one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen. Many catalysts can effectively crack ammonia to release the hydrogen, but the best ones are very expensive precious metals. This new method is different and involves two simultaneous chemical processes rather than using a catalyst, and can achieve the same result at a fraction of the cost.
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David Willetts, the UK Minister for Universities and Science, said "This is exactly the sort of innovation we need UK researchers and engineers to develop to secure our role as a global leader in this field, putting Britain at the forefront of solving modern day transportation problems. This breakthrough could also hugely contribute to our efforts to reduce our greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050."
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2014-06-hydrogen-breakthrough-game-changer-future-car.html#jCp
- [link:http://phys.org/news/2014-06-hydrogen-breakthrough-game-changer-future-car.html#ajTabs|]
It's amazing what innovative ideas we can come up with when we need to.
Now if we can just get a handle on the world's out-of-control growth.
hunter
(38,303 posts)Ammonia is currently made from natural gas, but it's also possible to make less noxious fuels like dimethyl ether, lpg, and even regular gasoline and diesel from natural gas.
Ammonia might also be made using electricity.
I thought the idea of using ammonia enhanced with hydrogen derived from this process in a regular internal combustion was interesting, but not terribly attractive. Ammonia leaks are serious business, both a fire risk and a caustic burn-your-eyes-and-lungs risk. The exhaust gas would be corrosive too. We might as well use ordinary fuels in ordinary internal combustion engines.
The fuel cell use might be a little more interesting.
Of course, I think the best solution would be for us to abandon the automobile culture entirely. Walking is good for our health, disabled people might have electric legs and other mobility devices, and public transportation systems can be entirely electric.
ffr
(22,665 posts)I agree. But we're raised by our parents and by cultural TV stereotypes to believe automobiles are expected for us. If you can solve the riddle of informing children that pollution and polluting vehicles are not natural and they don't necessarily require them to fit-in in our peer-driven society, then you'll have a winner.
intheozone
(1,102 posts)solve the oil fuel problem and the problem of what to do with all the urine. And or would always have access to the product you need to generate hydrogen. At least this is what I've read over the last few years.
ffr
(22,665 posts)One convenient side effect would be if everyone was limited to using only what they could produce. Truck drivers might have a problem with it, but our roadways would be much cleaner.
I like how you think.