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> Hydrogen is "safe enough" if we want to use it, compared to gasoline While I'm inclined to agree with your overall point, intuitively, it seems much more dan
by Aunche 3y ago
> Hydrogen is "safe enough" if we want to use it, compared to gasoline
While I'm inclined to agree with your overall point, intuitively, it seems much more dangerous than gasoline. Gasoline is very difficult to ignite unless if it's vaporized. On the other hand, hydrogen is already a gas so it's significantly easier to ignite and more explosive when it does.
- bombcar 3y agoIt's easier to light, but it's pretty non-explosive if not mixed with air: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_RKdWYqgu3Y https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_RKdWYqgu3Y (mixing with air is a problem). The big advantage (and what could be designed for) is that hydrogen goes up and so (by default) the flammable stuff escapes.
- throwaway4aday 3y agoIt only ignites in the presence of oxygen and a source of ignition so as long as you keep those things away from the hydrogen it should be quite safe. It's a solvable engineering problem. Use only materials that cannot burn for the gas envelope and structures immediately adjacent to it. Locate the engines as far out as possible on pylons. Divide the gas envelope as much as possible to limit the fuel supply for any fire that does start. The major complication is not adding too much weight but there's no reason airships couldn't be as safe as airplanes.
- wolverine876 3y ago> It's a solvable engineering problem. While that might be true, it's been said before. I'd be interested in an engineering study about the costs and risks.