3 ms·
> That power source could just as easily turn an electric motor directly, so you really need to ask yourself: why exactly do we need the air? More often than no
by jeeeb 4y ago
> That power source could just as easily turn an electric motor directly, so you really need to ask yourself: why exactly do we need the air? More often than not, the hydrogen intermediate is just a glorified battery.
That seems like exactly the point, no?
If using hydrogen as a chemical agent to store energy proves superior to using lithium then why not? Ultimately time will tell.
- credit_guy 4y agoBut where do you store the energy needed to get the hydrogen out of the air moisture?
- isthisthingon99 4y agoTo start a ICE car you need ignition. Maybe something similar, so long as the conversion process could be split between powering the car for use and continued fuel conversion.
- gus_massa 4y agoThe problem is that you only have a fixed amount of energy. If yuo use some energy to split water, then when you burn the hydrogen you get the same ammout of energy back. Moreover, some part will be lost in the conversion.
- jeeeb 4y agoWhy would you need to do that? You produce hydrogen via “direct-air electrolysis” and then use it as a fuel by reacting it with oxygen in a fuel cell. Compared to lithium ion batteries it’s just a different chemical medium for storing energy. In practice you’d probably have something like a fuel station producing hydrogen in-situ with energy pulled from the grid.
- gus_massa 4y agoHydrogen is a gas and likes to escape, Lithium is easier to contain. Also, Hydrogen reacts with the metal of the container and makes it brittle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_embrittlement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_embrittlement
- jeeeb 4y agoTrue. On the other hand lithium ion batteries are heavy and their capacity deteriorates over multiple charge cycles. In particular for heavy vehicles and aviation hydrogen might prove superior.
- gus_massa 4y agoFor aviation, just use the old faithful carbon based fuel. (Without the lead, please.) It makes no sense to try to decarbonize absolutely everything. We still sell paper books and for some task they are better than the digital version. To avoid criticism, just make the fuel 100% from plants, so it's carbon neutral. Like a 100% biodiesel or mix some ethanol if that make sense.