Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel Essays - 1498 Words

Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel What is Hydrogen? The simplest and lightest fuel is hydrogen gas (H2). Hydrogen is in a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures. Hydrogen is being explored for use in combustion engines and fuel cell electric vehicles. On a volumetric basis, the energy density of hydrogen is very low under ambient conditions. This presents greater transportation and storage hurdles than for liquid fuels. Storage systems being developed include compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, and physical or chemical bonding between hydrogen and a storage material (for example, metal hydrides).The ability to create hydrogen from a variety of resources and its†¦show more content†¦Hydrogen burns in air at concentrations in the range of 4 to 75 percent by volume (methane burns at 5.3 to 15 percent concentrations by volume). The highest burning temperature of hydrogen is 2,318 degrees Celsius and is reached at 29-percent concentration by volume in air. Hydrogen Benefits Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse gases are thought to be responsible for changes in global climate. They trap excess heat from the suns infrared radiation that would otherwise escape into space, much like a greenhouse is used to trap heat. When we drive our cars, and light, heat, and cool our homes, we generate greenhouse gases. But if we used hydrogen in very high efficiency fuel cells for our transportation and to generate power, we could significantly reduce the GHG emissions - especially if the hydrogen is produced using renewable resources, nuclear power, or clean fossil technologies. Reduce Air Pollution The combustion of fossil fuels by electric power plants, vehicles, and other sources is responsible for most of the smog and harmful particulates in the air. Fuel cells powered by pure hydrogen emit no harmful pollutants. Fuel cells that use a reformer to convert fuels such as natural gas, methanol, or gasoline to hydrogen do emit small amounts of airShow MoreRelatedHydrogen as an Alternative Fuel Essay1003 Words   |  5 Pagesindependence. The United States imports most of its petroleum from foreign nations which could pose problems in the future. This is why Alternative fuels such as hydrogen should be extensively researched. The motor transportation industry should invest in extensive research and development in hydrogen fuel to help the fuel economy create stronger national energy security, make fuel more efficient and renewable, and more environment friendly. With the high rates of oil consumption in today’s society, manyRead MoreHydrogen And Its Effects On The Environment Essay1327 Words   |  6 Pagesother countries. The usage of fossil fuel is releasing a huge amount of carbon dioxide into the environment, and with the huge amount of consumption there will be a huge amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment. Also, most of the petroleum is located in countries that have political tension, which can affect the supply of petroleum. To avoid this problem, we might consider different kinds of alternative fuels that can be used for vehicles. Hydrogen is considered to be one of the mostRead MoreHydrogen as an Option for Fuel857 Words   |  3 Pagesescalating and fossil fuels becoming limited, scientists have been researching an alternative fuel source that will be more abundant and cost efficient. Issues with our current fuel source include the pollution that is emitted in our air and water sources and the fact that f ossil fuels are becoming scarce. One alternative to gasoline is the use of hydrogen as a fuel source. With hydrogen as a fuel source pollution will be in decline, it has become increasingly more abundant than fossil fuels through extractingRead MoreHydrogen As An Alternative Source Of Energy1190 Words   |  5 PagesKhaled AlGhunaim NASC 130 Professor Gartner November 16, 2015 Hydrogen As An Alternative Source Of Energy The contemporary industrial sector has been built on the capacity created by energy. The bulk of human activities from survival to economy rely on the use of energy. Indeed, widespread access to energy has a significant influence on the level of achievement a particular jurisdiction achieves (Johnstone, Mayo and Khare 572). Access to energy sources determines the quality and course of life undertakenRead MoreAlternative Fuels: Cars Can Exhale Water.1516 Words   |  6 Pages Today cars burn off gasoline (or diesel) that gives off harmful chemicals, but tomorrow vehicles may be running off of alternative resources. Scientist and engineers across the globe are furthering studies to make alternative fuels a thing of tomorrow. Some such alternative fuels include biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas. All of which have some promising pros. Not only are those chemicals emitted buy vehicles harmful to humans, but they are also hurting the environmentRead MoreHistory of Chemistry: Hydrogen as an Alternative Use of Energy757 Words   |  4 Pagesto be talking, about how the element hydrogen when chemically broken down can produce enough power to run things like, cars, planes, helicopter, etc†¦ which is chemistry in technology. Right now most everyone is very heavily dependent on the use of fossil fuels and the search for alternative fuel sources are starting to pick up. One of the leading sources of fuel being tested is the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. One of the disadvantages is that hydrogen is only found in a handful of locationsRead MoreThe Power of Water Essay1599 Words   |  7 Pagesand the general rise of cost of fossil fuels alternatives have been explored. One of these is hydrogen power in the form of the hydrogen fuel cell. This source of power is unique because the only direct byproduct of it is water. With hydrogen power there are several ideas that need to be understood to determine if hydrogen power can significantly reduce or replace fossil fuels in homes and cars. First, how hydrogen is able to produce power as well as what a fuel cell is and how it works. Second, thereRead MoreUsing Alternative Fuels For Cars1481 Words   |  6 Pagestypes of alternate fuels for cars at our disposal, such as Ethanol, Natural Gas, Electricity, and Hydrogen Fuels. We can use these fuels instead of normal gasoline fuels that pollute our air and contribute to destroying our environment. Many of these alternative fuels may be less convenient to use, because they are less accessible. However, if people decide to use these fuels then they can make our world a green friendly world. There this a ton of upside to using alternative fuels, according to LarryRead MoreHydrogen: Is it worth it? Essay643 Words   |  3 PagesHydrogen, number one on the Periodic Table of elements, and the most common elemen t on our planet Earth. It may come as a surprise to many, or maybe not at all, that hydrogen could be used as a form of fuel for things such as trucks and cars. It is no new news that Hydrogen can be used as a fuel, since it has been on rockets as they are pushed out of orbit. Now all we have to do is figure out a way to be able to use it in our everyday lives. The good thing about Hydrogen is that it can be usedRead MoreOil Dependency Essay910 Words   |  4 Pagessalary in order for the American consumer to afford the alternative. This idea would be very tough to accomplish. My proposal is for politicians, who have the necessary power, to begin a national campaign on helping to increase research funds for alternative fuel sources. The national increase in research funds could greatly benefit this countries oil dependency. There are several companies that are in the process of developing alternative