BMW & Hydrogen Powered Internal Combustion

[pah]

Hi all,

GoAuto reports on BMW's plans to stick with internal combustion fueled by hydrogen. Here's a snippet from the article:


But BMW is the only major car-maker heading down the hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine route, and it says it’s doing it not only for the environment - but for us . . . BMW says its customers won’t accept the poor high-speed performance of fuel cell vehicles, nor the sound they produce, which has been described by some as akin to a vacuum cleaner.


The full article is available at: http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/DB662E310CF7503ACA2571840027F47C




PAH

[kayman]

Hell yes.

I want this path too.

[kart_racer]

Hydrogen releases a hell of a lot more energy per mole when burnt than petrol, and its only emission is water vapour...
Hence engines will be much cleaner and MORE POWERFUL too!!!

[pah]

Hydrogen releases a hell of a lot more energy per mole when burnt than petrol, and its only emission is water vapour...
Hence engines will be much cleaner and MORE POWERFUL too!!!

I'm a bit surprised to hear that!

I thought they just burnt the hydrogen by itself. But I guess it might go some way to cleaning up Kings Cross.



PAH

[Marco]

Wonder if you'd be able to convert a petrol engine to hydrogen?

[2001 ITR]

The problem has always been the energy expended to make the hydrogen (processing plants) and the infrastructure to distribute it (hydrogen stations replacing petrol stations).

Interesting ideas that will hopefully work out. Man can get by without oil but try getting by without plastics (which require oil).

[Carby]

Definitely the way to go - I'm glad that BMW is pursuing this technology. It is virtually an inexhaustable supply and has zero emissions - sound too good to be true - almost!

Not keen on Hybrid cars.

[2001 ITR]

Not keen on Hybrid cars.

Not necessarily. The new hybrid Lexus GS450h seems like it would make a good tow car.

[Rustle]

Forgive me if I sound a little dumb about this im not quite up there in the brains dept, but if all cars went hydrogen, and all they produce is water vapor, then....there would be more water in the air......would there be any health issues with this?, like in a congestested area...or a multi-level carpark

or, just another thought would it just go up into the sky and make clouds causeing more rain bringing an end to this drought!?....(Random thought that one)

[Angeldust]

the H2 has to be made form water 1st by putting in energy.

then

H2+O2 ---> H20 + energy

[Gozza]

Forgive me if I sound a little dumb about this im not quite up there in the brains dept, but if all cars went hydrogen, and all they produce is water vapor, then....there would be more water in the air......would there be any health issues with this?, like in a congestested area...or a multi-level carpark


Water vapour is a product of complete combustion of petrol. It probably wouldn't make that much of a difference.

[StevieD]

This is awesome news- It means we can keep our V8's and not drive battery operated crap boxes that sound like a computer monitor humming.

There was a big write up on this October 2004 and BMW's test car absolutely hammered, made more grunt than the petrol version :bounce:

[Jac001]

If you are burning hydrogen in the presence of air, you will produce water but won't you also produce (at least a small amount of) ammonia (H3N)?

[cutter bob]

If you are burning hydrogen in the presence of air, you will produce water but won't you also produce (at least a small amount of) ammonia (H3N)?


it cant be any worse than what petrol spits out

[pah]

With that many cars spewing out water vapour, perhaps it might increase rainfall in Australia to somewhere near where it used to be?



PAH

[gaz vyss]

With that many cars spewing out water vapour, perhaps it might increase rainfall in Australia to somewhere near where it used to be?



PAH

and the weather today is 80,000 cars in sydney with light showers,.....:rofl:

[pah]

and the weather today is 80,000 cars in sydney with light showers,.....:rofl:

More rainy days as a result of hydrogen powered internal combustion?

It'll save us having to drink imported beer to save water. :beer:

One way or another, I guess there's a few of us prepared to make such a sacrifice for the good of the nation.



PAH