ONBOARD PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FOR VEHICULAR SYSTEMS

In comparing the various fuels available for vehicular use from the standpoint of most efficient conversion to hydrogen, the properties of the fuels themselves dictate the limits. While catalytic processes exist which can convert nearly any hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen, the most efficiently converted fuel would be methanol because of its low conversion temperature. This is due to the facts that (1) methanol has no heteroatoms due to the processing involved in its production from synthesis gas, and (2) it is a single carbon molecule reducing the potential of carbon formation from carbon-carbon bond cracking reactions. Even through the heating value of methanol is lower than other hydrocarbon fuels, the ease by which it can be converted to hydrogen and the potential for utilizing waste engine heat provides it with a unique potential as a transportation fuel. It also can be incorporated into current spark-ignition engines as well as potential future engines as well as potential future engines such as fuel cells. Much additional work has yet to be done, however, in order to effectively implement the most efficient conversion system on board a vehicle.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paper from the Workshop on Renewable Fuels Advanced Power Sources for Transportation, Denver, Colorado, June 17, 1984.
• Corporate Authors:

  Jet Propulsion Laboratory

  California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive
  Pasadena, CA  United States  91103
• Authors:
  • Voecks, G E
• Publication Date: 1982-6

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 139-148

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Building heating; Hydrocarbons; Methanol; Propulsion; Spark ignition engines; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Conversion; Propulsion systems
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391675
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Energy Research Abstracts
• Report/Paper Numbers: SERI/CP-234-1707, CONF-820686
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM