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Fuel cells aren't the only way to use hydrogen as a fuel in vehicles--burning it works too.
That's exactly what Aston Martin will be doing at the Nurburgring 24-hour race later this year, when it fields a hydrogen-fueled version of its Rapide luxury sedan.
According to our sister site Motor Authority, the British sports car company will run the Rapide with the intention of turning the very first "race-pace zero emissions lap" at the fearsome German circuit.
Aston chairman Ulrich Bez says he sees the race car as more than just a technology statement.
As the maker of powerful, high-consumption vehicles, Aston Martin will increasingly look to alternative methods of propulsion in order to meet tighter emissions and fuel economy standards. While incongruous minicars like the Aston Martin Cygnet will go some way to meeting these targets, they can only do so much, and for so long.
Bez says that hydrogen hybrids may be the best way of meeting these targets. Rather than fuel cells driving electric motors, hydrogen as fuel would allow Aston Martin to retain its V-8 and V-12 internal combustion engines, the noise of which is an integral part of the cars' appeal.
Unfortunately, the 500-horsepower Rapide race car isn't as green as it seems on the surface, and will actually run on gasoline for most of the race.
In that respect, it's very much a technology statement--though could still prove the first step on a longer journey to cleaning up the company's vehicles.
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Peace
It even went grassroots.
Peace
so all these Hybrid EV and Fossil would NOT be any better changing over to Hydrogen??
the very first "race-pace zero emissions lap" at the fearsome German circuit. shame they aint doing the whole race CLEANLY and hitting a REAL GOAL
I therefore fully agree with CD Speed that this is just another try from the oil companies to keep "fuels" as our main source for driving energy.
You are more than welcome to prove me wrong. Just do an actual test... and the winner is? ;)
Peace
For every step we take forward, we seem to take a half step backward...
This is akin to people making arguments against EV's saying, "You can be electrocuted!". No wait... you can be electrocuted. Run!!! ;)
Peace
EVs are dangerous with high current and high voltage lines. That is why it require EMS to take special training classes. But that is NOT much different from your typical household electricity's danger level.
Hydrogen is completely different...
H2 rapidly fills the space that it goes into. This leads to an inability to ignite in an open area; i.e. atmosphere.
H2's burn speed is vastly greater than gasoline vapor. However, burn speed is not where the potential danger lies. It lies with the inability to dissipate rapidly. H2 dissipates rapidly; gasoline does not.
The H2 delivery systems vary from gas to liquid to solid... from pressurized to non-pressurized to on-demand.
So under what scenario(s) are you proposing H2 is "very dangerous", more dangerous than gasoline?
Peace
The danger part comes with H2 has one of the widest ignition range in mixture with O2. Most of the fuel has to be certain range in order to ignite. Too rich, it won't work, too lean, it won't work. But hydrogen can ignite over a wide range. That is why it is dangerous. You are right that H2 is lighter than air so it will quickly rise. But if it collects anywhere with almost any range of concentration, then it is dangerous.
"Obviously, it is NOT going to be liquid form for the use in the car. So, it would be compressed form."
Really? Well, have it your way... you will be the one missing out on opportunities, but for the record, it can be a liquid for those in the know. [More than two known ways.]
"But if it collects anywhere with almost any range of concentration, then it is dangerous."
Oh, the big "if". "If" you store it as compressed gas... and, "If" it leaks... and, "If" the tank is placed in an area to cause "collection", which is in essence capture... and, "If" something ignites it, then it is dangerous. Okay, I see your Oz... and I raise you one JC.
BTW, is that compressed form solid or gas, since you eliminated liquid.
Peace
"Well for starters... therefore at vast pressures..."
Storing in liquid does not designate, necessarily, vast pressures.
"Add the fact that an H2 flame is invisible and it's just a plain silly idea to even think of using it."
I guess coloring it wasn't an option for you.
"As to other reasons... H2 is made from natural gas at only 70% efficiency and then burned (in this case) in an ICE at about 25% efficiency ... well you do the maths!"
1. H2 has different sources
2. H2 from petrochemicals is purposely done.
3. You must hate Tesla Roadsters. ;)
4. 25% efficiency is incorrect. Motor comprehension - incomplete.
"Then there's the astronomical cost of the infrastructure."
??? Astronomical? Price check please
Peace
It is most likely going to be compressed gas form while used in the car.
As far as the "if" part goes, the consequences of those "if" are far more dangerous than gasoline or diesel. That is why it is dangerous. Nobody can say the "if" part will NEVER happen...
"It is most likely going to be compressed gas form while used in the car."
If this were 2002, the both of us would be in agreement. However, with the movement in the field of the last 9 years, this has become a horse race with regard to storage on a car/truck. This is why I have to disagree with you on this part. Most would pass on the compressed tank because of space.
"Nobody can say the "if" part will NEVER happen..."
Obviously. ;)
Peace
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