Question

What is problem in using hydrogen as a fuel in i.c.engine? If storage is the only issue then can't we improve the design of storage tank?

Answer 1

Hi Nikheel,
Your question is a good one and falls right in line with some of the work and research I do.

Hydrogen actually works quite well in an IC engine. Arguably better than gasoline. The real heart of the problem really is with the inefficiencies that are inherent to IC engines in general.

Typically an IC engine,is only about 30% efficient. So only 1/3 of fuel you actually pour into your tank goes to powering your wheels. The rest is lost to heat and vibrations (mostly heat).

Doing a straight conversion over to Hydrogen can bump your efficiencies up to about 40%, but now you need to look at the cost of the Hydrogen over the cost of Gasoline to really determine if using Hydrogen in an engine is a viable option. At current Gasoline prices, it certainly makes the case for Hydrogen much more practical. A lot of that just depends on your method of producing the Hydrogen in the first place.

Converting an engine directly to run of Hydrogen will also solve the pollution problems right?... It turns out not to be that simple. It is correct that you have zero CO2, CO, and other unburnt hydrocarbon emissions, but what you do end up with is a huge amount of Nitric Oxides, due to the high combustion temperatures in the IC engine. These emmisions are what go into the atmosphere and produce acid rain. Not quite pollution free.

That's where Water Induction plays a huge role in an engine converted to run off Hydrogen. By adding just a small amount of water into the combustion chamber along with the fuel, the water will flash into steam and lower the combustion temperatures down to a level that Nitric Oxides emission are negligible. Not to forget the added boost in horsepower that is gained as well.

In fact, in tests that were done in the early 70's the air coming out of the exhaust of an engine that was converted to run Hydrogen, combined with water induction, actually came out cleaner than the air that was in the atmosphere.

Like I alluded to earlier, when talking about converting something like an automobile to run off hydrogen, it really becomes a question of efficiency, and in that realm a Fuel Cell will top an IC 2:1 in efficiency, at a worst cast scenario. Fuel cells, can operate at 80%-90% efficient, depending on the quality of the Fuel Cell and the load, but they far exceed a typical IC.

Hydrogen Storage is an interesting subject in and of itself, but to be brief, the best method that I am aware of today is in using Metal Hydrides. Hydrogen stored using Metal Hydrides is probably the safest fuel on planet earth. In tests and research that was done for the US Military. They had the Army fire incinerary bullets at three different fuel storage tanks. A Gasoline tank, a compressed gas fuel tank, and a tank fully charged with Hydrogen using Metal Hydrides.

The first two tanks went up in a huge explosin, where as when they shot at the metal hydride tank, they thought they had missed, since there wasn't any visible signs of anything happening. The shot the tank another two times, and upon a close inspection of the tank they found 3 bullet holes with three small pilot lights of hydrogen burning off out of those holes.

If you would like further information on the subject read "The Hydrogen World View" which will give the most useful information, that I am aware of on using hydrogen in an IC or in general for that matter. The author has done more Hydrogen conversions than anyone else that I'm aware of, and has been ahead of everyone else in the research of Hydrogen Energy, and is who I have had the priviledge of learning from personally.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Thank you so much for giving me such a wonderful answer. Can you give me the information about the amount of reduction in horsepower of engine by adding the water inside the cylinder to reduce the emission of Nitric Oxides in case of hydrogen engine? Is it cost convenient to use Metal Hydride for storage of hydrogen as compare to conventional storage tank used in automobile?

Answer 3

Hi Nikheel,
When using water induction in a Hydrogen Engine there isn't a "hit", but a boost in horsepower.

The water flashes to steam, which boosts the pressures inside the combustion chamber, and gives the added horsepower.

In regards to your second question, if you're asking if Metal hydrides are a viable method for storing hydrogen, my answer would be, yes they are from everything I have seen so far, but the big advantages that I see for Metal Hydrides is that they are an extremely safe way of storing the Hydrogen. They also can hold more hydrogen than a typical storage stank, such as a welding cylinder.

Answer 4

Thanks for your reply. :)