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When hydrogen is used to power aircraft, it will be in the form of liquid anhydrous ammonia. Safer than elemental hydrogen, already mass-produced for its regula
by jessaustin 5y ago
When hydrogen is used to power aircraft, it will be in the form of liquid anhydrous ammonia. Safer than elemental hydrogen, already mass-produced for its regular use in agriculture, more energy-dense, doesn't embrittle, etc.
- ncmncm 5y agoAnhydrous ammonia makes a better fuel for ships. They can use the existing engines, and just replace tankage and plumbing. ("Safer" is hard to quantify. Less explosive, but overwhelmingly more toxic if vented.) Tankers may carry ammonia synthesized in the tropics to northern ports where local solar is impractical, to burn in existing gas plants in competition with long-distance transmission lines. Or, synthetic CH4 from captured CO2 might win. Either way will need massive H2 production.
- jessaustin 5y agoWell, sure, it's good for ships too. In general powering a large ship has a much more generous performance envelope. Thus, "bunker oil". Ammonia is better than bunker oil and it's also better than compressed elemental hydrogen, for powering any machine that moves.
- ncmncm 5y agoI don't know of anyplace where compressed elemental hydrogen would be a good choice.