Sylvie Willis
Burning hydrogen as a fuel is possible, and hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles (HICEVs) are a type of hydrogen vehicle that burns hydrogen fuel. HICEVs are modified versions of traditional gasoline-powered internal combustion engines. However, there are some concerns about the safety and efficiency of burning hydrogen in car engines. Hydrogen is a highly flammable gas, and leaks and fires are a significant safety concern. While hydrogen combustion does not produce carbon-based pollutants or CO2 emissions, the process of producing hydrogen currently results in higher emissions than direct combustion. Hydrogen engines also tend to be larger than gasoline engines to compensate for reduced power output.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen as a fuel | Can be combusted and used to create electricity |
| Hydrogen-powered vehicles | Produce electricity themselves |
| No emissions | |
| More expensive than comparable e-cars | |
| Very flammable | |
| BMW has produced hydrogen-powered vehicles | |
| Hydrogen engines can operate with lower-grade hydrogen |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen cars are classified as e-cars
Hydrogen cars are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars. The common abbreviation for a hydrogen car is FCEV, which stands for "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle". In contrast, BEVs or "Battery Electric Vehicles" are powered by a built-in battery that can be charged from an external power source.
FCEVs use the same electric drive as BEVs, but they differ in the way they store energy. Hydrogen cars produce their own electricity using a fuel cell system. This system converts the hydrogen in the fuel tank into electricity. The hydrogen reacts with oxygen in a process known as reverse electrolysis, which produces electrical energy, heat, and water vapour. The electricity generated in the fuel cell then flows to the electric motor and drives the vehicle.
Hydrogen cars are considered zero-emission vehicles as they only emit water vapour. They also benefit from a long range on a single refuelling. However, they are currently more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries due to industrialization in production and the demand for platinum, a catalyst in electricity generation. Additionally, there is a lack of infrastructure for refuelling hydrogen cars, which has resulted in lawsuits in California, where many hydrogen cars are found.
Despite these drawbacks, hydrogen cars are still an attractive option for those seeking an electric vehicle with a quick refuelling time and a long range. With further development and infrastructure expansion, hydrogen cars may become more viable in the future.
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Hydrogen vehicles produce their own electricity
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are powered by electricity generated through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell. This process does not involve combustion and produces no emissions, only water vapour, heat, and electrical energy. The electricity generated powers the electric motor that drives the vehicle's wheels. This electric motor is similar to that of a battery-electric car, but instead of drawing electricity from a battery, HFCVs produce their own electricity through the aforementioned chemical reaction.
The use of hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles has been explored by several car companies, including BMW and Mercedes. BMW, for instance, produced the BMW Hydrogen 7, a 7-series V12 engine that could be switched from gasoline to hydrogen fuel. However, hydrogen vehicles are currently more expensive than comparable electric vehicles due to the industrialization of production and the demand for platinum. Additionally, there are engineering challenges associated with transporting, refuelling, and safely storing large amounts of compressed hydrogen in vehicle fuel tanks.
Despite these challenges, hydrogen is seen as a potential contributor to sustainable mobility. Hydrogen fuel can complement battery-powered vehicles, especially for drivers who travel long distances and require high flexibility. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also have the advantage of shorter refuelling times, similar to those of traditional gas stations.
It is worth noting that hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are considered safe, but precautions must be taken to prevent the risk of hydrogen explosions. For example, the state of California has implemented rules to ensure the safe handling of hydrogen during vehicle servicing.
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Hydrogen engines burn hydrogen in an internal combustion engine
Hydrogen internal combustion engines (HICE or Hydrogen ICE) burn hydrogen fuel in a modified version of the traditional gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. This type of engine differs from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), which utilise hydrogen electrochemically through a fuel cell rather than by internal oxidative combustion.
Hydrogen internal combustion engines are not considered zero-emission, but they produce zero CO2 emissions. As the combustion of hydrogen occurs in an atmosphere containing nitrogen and oxygen, it can produce oxides of nitrogen (NOx). However, NOx emissions can be reduced to near zero. The very high temperatures generated by hydrogen combustion exacerbate this problem. While emissions from burning hydrogen are negligible, emissions from hydrogen production are currently higher than the direct combustion of the source.
Hydrogen internal combustion engines are ideal for heavy trucks that spend most of their time hauling the biggest load they can pull. They are also more suitable for conditions where fuel cells are not a viable solution, such as in cold weather applications.
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Hydrogen fuel cells can capture energy through regenerative braking
Hydrogen fuel cells can power cars with electricity, offering an alternative to traditional battery-powered electric vehicles. These fuel cells produce electricity through a process known as reverse electrolysis, where hydrogen from the car's tanks reacts with oxygen from the air to generate electrical energy. This electricity then powers the car's electric motor.
One of the key advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is their ability to capture and utilise energy through regenerative braking. During braking, the electric motor connected to the rear axle acts as a generator, converting the kinetic energy of the car into electrical energy that can be stored and used to supplement the power from the fuel cell. This regenerative braking system (RBS) improves fuel economy and prolongs the lifetime of the fuel cell system by reducing hydrogen consumption.
The RBS is designed to work in coordination with the existing pneumatic braking system (PBS) to ensure brake safety under critical driving situations. By installing modulating valves in the pneumatic brake lines, the brake controller can regulate brake pressures during the regenerative braking process. This coordinated control strategy distributes the braking demand between the regenerative brake and the pneumatic brake, allowing the vehicle to recapture kinetic energy during braking.
The use of regenerative braking in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles has been demonstrated in fuel cell hybrid electric buses (FCHB) in China. Test results have shown significant improvements in fuel economy, with a reduction in hydrogen consumption of up to 21.33% in typical driving test cycles. This technology has also been applied to hybrid cars by companies like BMW, showcasing the potential for wider adoption in the automotive industry.
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Hydrogen is highly flammable
The flammability and explosivity of hydrogen depend on various factors, including the degree of confinement and the presence of ignition sources. A hydrogen-air cloud can be unconfined or confined, with confined clouds capable of producing much higher blast overpressure and, therefore, being more dangerous. Additionally, the minimum required ignition energy for hydrogen depends on its concentration in the detonable mixture.
In a hydrogen car, the hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the ambient air in a process known as reverse electrolysis. This reaction takes place in a fuel cell, which effectively functions as an onboard power plant, converting hydrogen into electricity to drive the vehicle. While the reaction produces electrical energy, heat, and water vapour, there are no emissions.
To ensure safety, hydrogen cars are designed with specific measures to handle the flammable nature of hydrogen. These vehicles utilise fuel cells that control the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, allowing for a slower and more controlled combustion process. This controlled reaction prevents explosions and results in the generation of electricity rather than an intense flame.
Furthermore, hydrogen fuelling infrastructure is subject to stringent safety standards and regulations to mitigate the risks associated with hydrogen's flammability. These safety measures encompass the design and operation of hydrogen filling stations, ensuring that the fuelling process for hydrogen cars is carefully managed to prevent any potential hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel to move. Examples include road vehicles, space rockets, aircraft, and cars.
Hydrogen vehicles generate motive power by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy. This is done either by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to power electric motors or, less commonly, by hydrogen internal combustion.
It depends on the type of car. Hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles (HICEVs) are a slightly modified version of traditional gasoline internal combustion engine cars. Therefore, existing-technology internal combustion engines can be modified to burn hydrogen as fuel. However, this modification would amount to about one point five times the current cost of a gasoline engine.
Hydrogen is an especially powerful fuel that burns cleaner than fuels such as gasoline or methane. Hydrogen vehicles also benefit from a long range on a single refuelling. Additionally, hydrogen vehicles produce little to no emissions.
Hydrogen is more difficult to store and transport than other fuels due to the small size of its molecules. Hydrogen vehicles are also currently more expensive due to the high cost of industrialization in production and the demand for platinum as a catalyst.
