With Growing Concerns about Carbon Emissions and Air Pollution, Demand for Hydro

Posted by Ajinkya on April 6th, 2021

A hydrogen vehicle is simply an automobile that makes use of hydrogen fuel for power instead of gasoline. Hydrogen fueled cars convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine. This means there is no emission of gases that pollute the environment.

Fuel cell electric vehicles produce electricity using a fuel cell powered by hydrogen, rather than drawing electricity from only a battery. The power of these hydrogen vehicles is defined by the size of the electric motor that receive electric power from fuel cell and battery combination. Moreover, the amount of energy stored onboard is determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank. These vehicles also use batteries to recapture braking energy.

Hydrogen vehicles also include hydrogen-fueled space rockets that rely on liquid hydrogen. Liquid hydrogen when use as a fuel with liquid oxygen offers many benefits such as low molecular weight and high energy output. In the aviation sector, hydrogen-fueled aircraft can offer zero emission. These hydrogen vehicles are in early stage of development and are capable of using liquid hydrogen fuel to power modified gas turbine engines.

Another type of hydrogen vehicle is the "refueling vehicle". These cars are refueled using an onboard fuel cell similar to those used on forklifts. When the engine is running, its compressor and turbine will burn off any excess fuel stored. Once all the fuel has been burned off, the engine will then shut off and the vehicle will self-destruct shortly after. This type of vehicle has no exhaust or no smoke coming from the tailpipe; therefore, poses little smoke emissions.

Probable fuel cell vehicles are emerging breed of hydrogen vehicles. This type of vehicle has no combustible engine or fuel tank. It uses the hydrogen fuel cells contained in its batteries to create electricity. Although this technology is still in research, it is predicted to eventually replace gasoline completely within a decade. Probable fuel cell vehicles can range from being small, two-door sedans, and two mid-size 4-door sedans to coupes and sports cars.

A "passive hybrid" electric motor is another type of hydrogen vehicle that employs an electrolysis process. Although the process is not exactly known, it appears that the use of this method is to produce energy that can be converted into mechanical energy. The conversion of this mechanical energy into electrical energy is how the electric motor turns. Such a system can be used in place of the conventional gasoline engine, but will require a dedicated fuel cell stack.

Use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel in various hydrogen vehicles does not come without challenges and risks. The low energy density of hydrogen requires the fuel source to be stored in large quantities. However, R&D in technologies with higher pressures and extreme cryogenic temperatures is expected to overcome the issue. A major challenge in adoption of hydrogen as fuel is public perception. Airship accidents in the past have deeply impacted the industry. Technologies that improve handling of hydrogen on large scale are thus need of the hour.

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