IN PRAISE OF HYDROGEN

The feasability of using hydrogen as a fuel in the internal combustion engine is examined. The author points out that fossil-based fuels used at present are both finite and diminishing rapidly, whilst hydrogen can be produced by the electrolysis of water using nuclear power. Hydrogen is reported to give a virtually pollutant-free exhaust, and with a calorific value 2.5 times that of petrol, also has big advantages in terms of energy content. The demonstration by the School of Automative Studies at Cranfield of the practicability of converting the engine of an ordinary Hillman Imp to run on hydrogen fuel by using an elementary gas carburetor is reported, and details of the modification made to the engine are given. The author reports that the major problem inherent in this system is storage of the hydrogen. Existing gas bottles weigh 63kg of which less than 1/2 kg is hydrogen, and this is equivalent to only half a gallon of petrol. The possibility of using metal hydrides for storage of hydrogen is raised. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Design Centre

  28 Haymarket
  London SW1Y 4SU,   England 
• Authors:
  • Greenslade, R
• Publication Date: 1974-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 56-57
• Serial:
  • Design
  • Issue Number: 311
  • Publisher: Design Centre

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Energy; Energy resources; Exhaust gases; Fuels; Handling and storage; Hydrogen; Hydrogen fuels; Intelligent transportation systems; Internal combustion engines; Motors; Storage facilities; Tests
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Fuel sources
• ITRD Terms: 1394: Catalytic converter; 7187: Hydrogen; 1334: Motor; 6255: Test; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Energy; Freight Transportation; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00097801
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 13 1975 12:00AM