Ameer Randolph
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are an exciting prospect for the future of driving, with the potential to be a clean and environmentally friendly energy source. Hydrogen is a great fuel because it can be easily converted to electricity and is carbon-free. However, one of the challenges of hydrogen fuel is finding a safe way to store it onboard a vehicle. Hydrogen is a gas, which means it can only be stored in high-pressure or cryogenic tanks, which can be dangerous in the event of a crash. However, recent breakthroughs in hydrogen fuel cell technology have allowed chemists to develop a way to safely store and extract hydrogen, potentially using a nitrogen-boron complex that can be stored as a stable solid. This could be a huge step forward in making hydrogen fuel cells a viable option for cars in the future.
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel tanks
The most common method for storing hydrogen in fuel cell vehicles is through the use of compressed hydrogen tanks. This involves pressurizing liquid hydrogen at extremely low temperatures, increasing its density and reducing the need for costly carbon fibre composites. While compression is a widely adopted approach, it is not the only method being explored.
One innovative solution is the use of chemical storage, where hydrogen is stored in a safe chemical form, such as ammonia borane. This approach offers stability and reusability, and the hydrogen can be released through a catalyst system. Metal hydrides, including complex metal hydrides, are also being investigated for their potential to reversibly store and release hydrogen at relatively low temperatures and pressures suitable for fuel cells.
The transportation and storage of hydrogen present unique challenges and higher complexity compared to traditional fossil fuels. Hydrogen is more energy-intensive to transport and store than gasoline or diesel. However, advancements in infrastructure, such as the expansion of hydrogen filling stations, can help shorten transportation distances and improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel tanks in the future.
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Hydrogen as a clean energy source
Hydrogen is a clean and environmentally friendly energy source with the potential to power cars. As a fuel, it can be easily converted to electricity in a fuel cell and is carbon-free. Hydrogen fuel cells combine oxygen and hydrogen to create water and electricity, storing up to 100 kilowatts of power with zero emissions.
However, hydrogen has its disadvantages. It is a gas, which means it can only be stored in high-pressure or cryogenic tanks. This makes it more complex and energy-intensive to transport and store than gasoline or diesel. Nevertheless, hydrogen can be produced anywhere there is access to electricity and water, and transportation distances could be reduced in the future as the infrastructure expands.
One of the challenges of getting fuel cell vehicles to market is building hydrogen refuelling stations. Vehicle manufacturers such as BMW have joined forces with hydrogen producers and filling station operators to drive the expansion of the infrastructure. Hydrogen filling stations are constantly being expanded worldwide, and studies undertaken for Germany demonstrate that an infrastructure with electric charging and hydrogen refuelling stations is cheaper overall than a pure electric charging infrastructure.
Another challenge is the price of fuel cell vehicles. The few fuel-cell-powered models that are already available on the market still cost more than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines. However, as the technology improves, costs will reduce for both fuel cell and battery technologies.
There have also been safety concerns about storing hydrogen in vehicles. However, in fuel cell cars, the hydrogen is stored in gaseous form in thick-walled tanks, which are particularly safe. Numerous crash tests have validated the safety of this design, and hydrogen technology is tried and tested in a range of areas, including refineries, which already use large quantities of hydrogen as a process gas when processing crude oil.
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Hydrogen production
Hydrogen can be produced from diverse, domestic resources, including fossil fuels, biomass, and water through electrolysis using electricity. The environmental impact and energy efficiency of hydrogen depend on how it is produced and in what type of vehicle it is used.
The two most common methods for producing hydrogen are steam-methane reforming and electrolysis (splitting water with electricity). Steam-methane reforming accounts for nearly all commercially produced hydrogen in the United States. Commercial hydrogen producers and petroleum refineries use steam-methane reforming to separate hydrogen atoms from carbon atoms in methane (CH4). In steam-methane reforming, high-temperature steam (1,300°F to 1,800°F) under 3 bar–25 bar pressure reacts with methane in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Electrolysis is a process that splits hydrogen from water using an electric current. Electrolysis is commonly used in high school science classes to demonstrate chemical reactions and hydrogen production. On a large, commercial scale, the process may be referred to as power-to-gas, where power is electricity and hydrogen is gas. Electrolysis itself does not produce any byproducts or emissions other than hydrogen and oxygen. The electricity for electrolysis is currently provided by the electric power grid, which is supplied with a mix of renewable sources, nuclear energy, and fossil fuels.
Other hydrogen production methods are in development, such as thermochemical water splitting, photobiological water splitting, and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Photobiological water splitting uses microbes, such as green algae, to consume water in the presence of sunlight and produce hydrogen as a byproduct. Photoelectrochemical water splitting uses special semiconductors and energy from sunlight to produce hydrogen from water.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports source-neutral hydrogen production pathways and has launched initiatives to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen production, such as the Energy Earthshots Initiative.
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Hydrogen transportation
Transporting hydrogen fuel is a key part of the equation when it comes to utilizing hydrogen as a clean energy source for vehicles. There are several methods being explored for the safe and efficient transportation of hydrogen fuel. One method is through the use of pipelines, which is a well-established and safe way of transporting gases and liquids. Hydrogen can be moved through existing natural gas pipelines, with some modifications to account for the different properties of hydrogen. This method is cost-effective and utilizes existing infrastructure, making it a viable option for the short term. However, in the long term, dedicated hydrogen pipelines may be constructed to improve efficiency and reduce the risk of contamination.
Another method of transportation is through the use of tankers, similar to those used for liquid natural gas (LNG). This method is particularly useful for reaching areas that are not connected to pipelines. Cryogenic tankers, which are highly insulated and can maintain extremely low temperatures, are used to transport liquid hydrogen. The hydrogen is cooled to -253 degrees Celsius, which reduces its volume and makes it a liquid, allowing for more efficient transportation. At the destination, the liquid hydrogen is then warmed and converted back into a gas for use.
Rail transport is also being explored as a means of safely transporting hydrogen. Rail cars can be designed to carry cryogenic liquid hydrogen or compressed gaseous hydrogen. This method can be particularly useful for long-distance transportation and for areas with established rail networks. Additionally, hydrogen tube trailers, which are specialized trailers pulled by trucks, can be used to transport compressed hydrogen gas over shorter distances. These trailers are already in use for delivering hydrogen to industrial sites and can be utilized for the hydrogen fuel supply chain.
Finally, there is ongoing research into the use of power-to-gas (P2G) technology, which involves converting surplus renewable electricity into hydrogen gas through electrolysis. This hydrogen can then be injected into the natural gas grid, creating a form of energy storage and transport. The existing natural gas infrastructure can be utilized, with the hydrogen later recovered from the grid and used for fuel cell vehicles. This approach provides a way to store and transport renewable energy, improving the overall efficiency of the energy system and reducing the need for dedicated hydrogen transportation methods. These transportation methods, along with advancements in storage technologies, will play a crucial role in realizing the potential of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable fuel for vehicles.
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Hydrogen safety
Hydrogen cars are as safe as conventional vehicles. Hydrogen is flammable, but it is not toxic, and it is generally safer to handle than conventional fuels. In the event of a hydrogen leak or spill, neither the environment nor human health is threatened. However, to prevent hydrogen and oxygen from reacting uncontrollably during the operation of a fuel cell car, hydrogen is stored in gaseous form in thick-walled tanks. These tanks are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, and they are subject to rigid testing standards.
The refuelling process for hydrogen cars is also designed with safety in mind. Hydrogen gas is pumped into the vehicle in the same safe way as a conventional car. The nozzle at the end of the dispenser's hose contains a mechanical lock to ensure a secure connection with the car's filling inlet. If the lock is not secure, filling will not start. A pressure impulse then checks for any leaks, and if detected, the refuelling is aborted. The rate of filling is carefully regulated to avoid overheating during transfer, with temperature sensors in the car's hydrogen tanks, the nozzle, and the pump communicating with each other by infrared to control the rate of hydrogen flow.
In addition to the safety measures for refuelling, the cabin of a hydrogen car is strictly separated from the hydrogen compartment to prevent the penetration of any leaking hydrogen, which would instead gradually disperse into the atmosphere.
The hydrogen tanks in hydrogen cars have been thoroughly tested, including crash tests and being shot at by high-velocity weapons. The Toyota Mirai's multi-layer hydrogen tanks, for example, are designed with a carbon fibre shell and a glass fibre layer for strength and safety. These tanks are so strong that they can repel a bullet shot from close range.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen is stored in cars as a gas in high-pressure or cryogenic tanks. The tanks are thick-walled and have been proven to be safe in numerous crash tests.
Hydrogen has poor volumetric energy density, which makes it difficult to store large quantities of hydrogen for vehicle applications. Storing and transporting hydrogen is also more complex and energy-intensive than for gasoline or diesel.
Hydrogen is a clean and environmentally friendly energy source that can be easily converted to electricity in a fuel cell. It has high energy density compared to gasoline and can be produced anywhere there is access to electricity and water.
