Alternative Energy

Hydrogen power is a farce… an absolute farce. In the production of hydrogen, the net maximum yield yet obtained runs around 60%… joules of energy in versus joules out… or whatever measure you want to use. This result is achieved using expensive materials like platinum in plates and solutions. The hydrogen is then compressed… eating up considerably more energy, and burned in an internal combustion engine where the net yield is about 20%. Not knowing the losses from the compression process, we can look at the combined efficiency of the production and combustion (in an engine) processes and the net yield is approximately 12%… factor in the energy of compression and the net will be well below 10% that is a pathetic yield, and as electrolysis is unlikely to dramatically improve in efficiency, and internal combustions have “hit the wall” on efficiency, this clearly is NOT the way to go. It is NOT a viable motor fuel for this reason.

Well Howard, the idea isn’t that its an inefficient process to obtain the hydrogen, but rather that the process used can be driven by renewable energy. If you have a solar cell or wind turbine powerinh the electrolysis on site, then the toll on the environment is essentially negatable. And in regards to your comment stating that “elecrolysis is unlikely to dramatically improve in efficiency,” Korean researchers have come up with a new, more efficient way to obtain hydrogen.

A detailed study of hydrogen fueled vehicles has been done by William Korchinski and published on reason.com. His analysis indicates that cracking methane rather than electrolysis is the likely source of hydrogen fuel. The byproduct of this reaction is carbon dioxide, which means hydrogen fueled cars will still contribute to global warming. His study concludes this technology is not the solution for the environment.

Howard – serious question – have you done the math concerning oil? What is the energy efficiency of drilling for oil in Saudi Arabia (should include the energy cost of all the dry wells) – transporting to the U.S. on a tanker – refining at a U.S. oil refinery – trucking to my local 7/11, putting it into a I.C.E. powered car. What about Shale Oil from Canada? I suspect that a home based Hydrogen plant (using grid power, and hydrolysis) fueling an electric vehicle powered with a fuel cell would compare fairly favorably – and with much less pollution.

David.

Hi, got a Nissan Almera, anybody can guide me how can I convert into hydrogen powered car. Save the oil and save the world. Would love the idea. To answer the question, Do you think hydrogen is a viable fuel alternative? These will not only be the alternative, there is the future. All cars should be runing on water HHO etc.

I hope they will create environmental and eco-friendly car. The CO2 emissions are increasing much, and the big usage of automobiles last years, means that it will not stop increasing. We should reduce it, with such cars, like this. I hope that car builders will pay more attention to the earth and will care about it much more.

So what are we saying here?
We fill up with water, “drive around” and the only emissions is water? why not pipe the emissions back to the fill tank, and eliminate filling up, it would save on water.(sounds a bit “perpetual motion” to me)

By the way where is the energy coming from to “drive around”? By the laws of conservation you have to convert something into energy?
to convert the water to hydrogen requires energy, or is there a natural catalyst out there?
if there is then forgive me, just that I have not seen it mentioned, and postings seems to indicate electrolysis.

electrolysis require a lot of electrical energy to split water into oxygen and hydrogen so the pay back energy fusing hydrogen and oxygen must be not only big enough power the car it also must provide enough energy for the electrolysis process.
I can see it working if there is a natural catalyst but very much doubt the electrolysis system unless you have a very efficient method.
Why not use the kinetic properties of water, extract and use the unlimited energy potential.