Hydrogen as Alternative Fuel Source
During World War II, the German military experimented with using hydrogen as a fuel. After the war, both the United States and the Soviet Union conducted tests using hydrogen as an alternative fuel. The experiments and implementation have shown that hydrogen has the potential to replace traditional fossil fuels. Hydrogen is the most plentiful element in the universe. It can be used as an environmentally sound and fuel-efficient solution for the world's energy concerns. With the rising cost of oil, a push for the application of hydrogen has been made by many industries and governments.
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Function
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Hydrogen is harnessed by scientists for two distinct purposes: conversion into electricity for battery storage and simple combustion. Hydrogen is capable of powering vehicles and industrial facilities.
Features
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The Russian aerospace industry has utilized hydrogen-powered aircraft since 1988. The Tupolev-154 inspired a number of companies, both in the airline and car industries, to design and build new hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
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Benefits
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Hydrogen is more efficient than gasoline for energy production. With 2.8 times as much power production capability, vehicles and industry can benefit from hydrogen fuel.
Considerations
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Although the weight of hydrogen is less than gasoline, it is most commonly found in a gaseous form. This means the average fuel tank needs to be 60 gallons to be equal to a 15-gallon gasoline tank.
Effects
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Hydrogen produces no carbon dioxide, which sets it apart from nearly all other types of fuel. When used in either combustion or conversion to electricity, the main byproduct is water. This water can be collected and reused for other purposes.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Mion, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NFPA_704_Hazard_placard_liquid_hydrogen.jpg
