The End For Electric Cars? VW Develops New Hydrogen Technology: “2,000 Km On A Single Tank Of Fuel”!

[roamer_1]

There are other types of fuel cells, but this is the simplest.  The cell runs at about 80°C, much cooler than an ICE.  These cars already exist and are on the road right now.  The problem of course is how to refuel (and store) more hydrogen.

I seem to recall GM/Shell having a bunch of time and money into developing hydrogen based vehicles and distribution - That all got scrapped by govt dictate in Dubya's Too Big To Fail bailout, where again, by gvt dictate, GM was set on a course to adopt electric cars going forward.

[Hoodat]

Another question - at least to my mind - is what happens with these fuel tanks in a collision?  Is borohydride flammable or toxic?

Sodium borohydride, in solution with water, is relatively safe.  Non-flammable.  Can be an irritant, but isn't going to poison anyone.  When a catalyst is introduced, it reacts with water to form hydrogen gas.

NaBH₄ + 4 H₂O   ⇒  4 H₂ + NaB(OH)₄


But hydrogen itself is extremely flammable.  So a compressed hydrogen tank would be a serious hazard in the event of a collision.  An NaBH₄ system creates hydrogen on demand.

[Kamaji]

Sodium borohydride, in solution with water, is relatively safe.  Non-flammable.  Can be an irritant, but isn't going to poison anyone.  When a catalyst is introduced, it reacts with water to form hydrogen gas.

NaBH₄ + 4 H₂O   ⇒  4 H₂ + NaB(OH)₄


But hydrogen itself is extremely flammable.  So a compressed hydrogen tank would be a serious hazard in the event of a collision.  An NaBH₄ system creates hydrogen on demand.

@Hoodat

Thanks!

[Hoodat]

I seem to recall GM/Shell having a bunch of time and money into developing hydrogen based vehicles and distribution - That all got scrapped by govt dictate in Dubya's Too Big To Fail bailout, where again, by gvt dictate, GM was set on a course to adopt electric cars going forward.

I'm sure someone has explored it, but an ammonia fuel cell would be interesting.  If you could pass ammonia through a polymer, generating N₂ and protons on the other side, that would solve the fuel storage problem.

btw, while fuel cell demand would push platinum and ruthenium prices upward, the largest factor is the cost of the polymer itself.  DuPont developed Nafion back in the 60s.  I don't think they ever patented it.  It is their trade secret, and they are not willing to come down on price.

[Bigun]

I think I’d rather have a car run in hydrogen than electric.

Until you discover that you are riding around in a rolling bomb looking for a trigger I suppose!

[DB]

I have a hydrogen fuel cell car kit (small car) somewhere around here...