Hydrogen Vehicle Technology
Hydrogen fuel can be produced from a wide range of sources to power vehicles. A hydrogen vehicle may use hydrogen in compressed or liquefied form. According to Barbara Passero, who wrote "Energy Alternatives," hydrogen fuel could reduce vehicular emissions. However, producing and distributing hydrogen commercially is not economically viable.
-
Compressed Hydrogen
-
Hydrogen is compressed up to 10,000 psi before being used. Hydrogen compression is a simple process that uses a mature technology. This involves less cost than other technologies like liquefaction. However, the storage technology is costly and the hydrogen cylinder design may interfere with vehicle design.
Liquid Hydrogen
-
Liquid hydrogen is a widely used technology for storing and transporting hydrogen. The advantages are in terms of storage and fueling when compared to compressed hydrogen. However, the process of liquefying hydrogen and the equipment involved are very expensive. The process to liquefy hydrogen is energy intensive. Another problem associated with liquid hydrogen is evaporation. Over time hydrogen stored as liquid can escape as it boils off.
Production and Delivery of Hydrogen
-
The production and delivery of hydrogen in a commercial manner--the way gasoline or diesel is delivered at present--would require a lot of capital expenditure. According to Joseph J.Romm, who wrote "The Hype About Hydrogen," the nature of infrastructure needed to produce and deliver hydrogen depends on two factors: where hydrogen is to be produced and what form hydrogen is to be on board on the vehicle.
Hydrogen can be produced and delivered in three different ways.
First, hydrogen could be produced in a centralized location that is close to potential fuel sources, such as a windmill or coal plant. The on-board storage and transfer of hydrogen is still a challenge.
Secondly, hydrogen could be produced at fueling stations located in cities and highways.
Third, hydrogen could be generated in a car or truck by a gasoline or methanol reformer. Gasoline and methanol are good mediums of storing hydrogen. If onboard reformers are practical, this would be ideal way to transport hydrogen because the existing transport infrastructure of gasoline may be used to transport hydrogen. This will reduce the cost of delivery.
Transportation of Hydrogen
-
According to Joseph J.Romm in "The Hype About Hydrogen," there are two ways of transporting hydrogen. Tanker trucks are the most common means of delivering hydrogen. This mode is increasingly popular in North America and Europe. This mode assures that hydrogen is available on-demand and in a highly pure state.
Pipelines are another means of delivery. These are generally available in industrial areas and are a cheap means of hydrogen delivery. However, there are concerns on delivering hydrogen through pipelines because of the reactive nature of hydrogen, which damages the quality of pipes. In addition, manufacturing pipelines on large scale to carry hydrogen is very expensive.
Future
-
According to Jacqueline Langwith in "Renewable Energy," hydrogen fuel technology has a lot of potential. However, there are considerable challenges with production, delivery and storage. Changes are needed in vehicles to make use of hydrogen technology. The cost involved to make hydrogen fuel usage economically viable is enormous and it would take a lot of investment from governments.
-
