Types of alternative fuels include biodiesel, electricity, methanol and ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, propane and new fuels still under development, called emerging fuels. Because of depletion of fossil fuels and this is also the reason why three of us the writers. As stated earlier, fuel cells can function as a power backup storage for large and small scale power grids, moreover, fuel cells can provide electrical power for remote locations. The advantages of fuel cells a fuel cell can convert more than 90% of the energy contained in a fuel into electrical energy and heat. For the purpose of this discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of alternative energy, the sources that fit this definition are solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and marine energy. Creating cleaner burning fuels that wont pollute or poison our atmosphere with co2. The hydrogenoxygen fuel cella hydrogenoxygen fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that is, it efficiently converts chemical energy in fuels directly to electrical energy normally, fuels are burned and the heat and steam emitted is used to power generators, which. Advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells lorecentral. It is the most abundant element in the universe but, it does not occur naturally as a gas in the earth.
Hydrogen provides power to cars by either directly combusting in the engine or converting to electricity within a fuel cell. Hydrogen is seen as the key component of energy systems for a sustainable future. Factors such as cost, fuel distribution, emissions, vehicle systems analysis, energy storage, power and propulsion systems, and advanced power electronics are just some of the considerations in phasing in alternative fuels and advanced vehicle design. What are the pros and cons of storing and using hydrogen as. Hydrogen power technology advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the size of a gasoline tank is three times less the amount, compared to a liquid hydrogen tank. Now we are looking at the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells to see if they would be useful in other vehicles or situations. Much work is in progress to initiate a shift from a. First of all, why researches and scientists started to find replacement of new resources to produce energy. Flex fuel vehicles are therefore not the same as bifuel vehicles, which have separate tanks for each different fuel type they use. Of all the alternative fuels used in automobiles, hydrogen burns the cleanest. Jun 03, 2012 if truth be told, there are very minor disadvantages of liquid hydrogen that can be easily improved as the years go on. If truth be told, there are very minor disadvantages of liquid hydrogen that can be easily improved as the years go on. Some advocates would say that coal gasification is an alternative to petroleum.
Hydrogen is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, and they can be used to power just about any machine needing energy. What is hydrogen energy hydrogen fuel cells advantages and disadvantages uses of hydrogen fuel cells references. For example, the 2012 honda civic hybrid has an epa combined cityandhighway fuel economy estimate of 44 miles per gallon, while the estimate for the conventional 2012 civic four cylinder, automatic is 32 miles per gallon. Dec 20, 2017 hydrogen is very difficult to deal with. A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction. It is also a fuel option that comes with its own unique set of risks. Hydrogen fuel advantages and disadvantages renewables. Hydrogen fuel advantages and disadvantages monday, 22 november 2010 12. There are claims that the production and distribution of ethanol as an alternative motor vehicle fuel source will in fact increase greenhouse gas emissions over those generated by.
Ethanol is not an alternative fuel to standard gasoline. Hydrogen is a gas which can be compressed and stored in cylinders. Noise offers a much more silent and smooth alternative to conventional energy production. As a result, hydrogen is a much better fuel for the environment. Flex fuel vehicles normally run on a mixture of either ethanol or methanol and gasoline. This means h2 is an inefficient use of energy and will never be a serious fuel. Hydrogen used to power fuel cells used in transportation needs more space to store than gasoline and diesel. If you need to print pages from this book, we recommend downloading it as a pdf. This is due to the fact that hydrogen has low energy content by volume. For the purpose of this discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of alternative energy, the sources that fit this definition are solar.
Although hydrogen is in its infancy in the market as a transportation fuel, government and industry are working toward clean, economical, and safe hydrogen production and distribution for widespread use in fuel cell electric vehicles fcevs. Hydrogen use objectives at the completion of this module, the technician will understand. Apr 22, 2017 hydrogen is considered as the fuel of the future. The reactions that produce electricity take place at the electrodes. This section will cover hydrogen fuel cells, rechargeable batteries, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. Hydrogen is the most common type of fuel used in a fuel cell but methane and methanol can also be used.
In the literature, there has been extensive efforts on making hydrogen energy systems more sustainable. Dec 16, 2019 11 big advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells dec 16, 2019 jun 4, 2015 by green garage hydrogen is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, and they can be used to power just about any machine needing energy. Major car manufacturers have already produced concept cars powered by fuel cells, the volkswagen tiguan hymotion and the chevrolet equinox fuel cell suv are two examples, and at least one hydrogen fuel cell. On ices, one fuel is gasoline or diesel and the other is an alternate fuel such as natural gas cng, lpg, or hydrogen. Hydrogen is an element consisting of one proton and an electron.
Hydrogen h 2 is an alternative fuel that can be produced from diverse domestic resources. The burning of fossil fuel causes significant damage to the environment because carbon dioxide co 2 is emitted during combustion. Here are some pros of using hydrogen as a fuel, the emission of hydrogen fuel is pure form of water which is safe, non. Pdf biofuels from vegetable oils as alternative fuels. Expensive to manufacture due the high cost of catalysts platinum. Aug 18, 2016 a potentially emissionsfree alternative fuel produced from domestic resources. Yet we take it for granted and energy demand continues to grow, year after. Size reduction fuel cells are significantly lighter and more compact. The use of hydrogen as fuel is very contradictory and controversial, we present a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells known to date.
The hydrogen economy promises to eliminate all of the problems that the fossil fuel economy creates. It has many advantages and it can be used in a fuel cell to provide energy. Every fuel cell has two electrodes, one positive and one negative, called, respectively, the anode and cathode. As long as the chemicals are present, the fuel cell will function. First, it has a lower density than any other fuel compare liquid hydrogens 70. One of the most heralded benefits of hydrogen is that it is a cleanburning fuel. The national hydrogen association wants the usa to reduce the dependence on imported fuels, improve the environment, and drive economic growth by becoming more hydrogen. When hydrogen is burned, the only emission it makes is water vapor, so a key advantage of hydrogen is that when burned, carbon dioxide co2 is not produced.
A fuel cell is a device that converts hydrogen fuel obtained from natural gas, gasoline, methanol, propane, etc. The core of the research concerns the advantages of hydrogen and the current progress related to the disadvantages of hydrogen as a transportation fuel. The universe we live in is made up of approximately 75 percent hydrogen, though theres surprisingly little pure hydrogen here on the surface of the earth. Nov 27, 2014 the advantages of hydrogen energy there are many advantages and benefits to be discussed of hydrogen energy or using hydrogen fuel cell. It is also twice as effective as traditional gasoline, and this is a definite pro. This completely defeats the purpose of an alternative energy source. The biggest disadvantage i can think of so far is how we are making these alternative fuels. Our work, leisure, and our economic, social and physical welfare all depend on the sufficient, uninterrupted supply of energy. A potentially emissionsfree alternative fuel produced from domestic resources. Advantages disadvantages fewer toxic and smogforming air.
Hydrogen, when used in a fuel cell to provide electricity, is an emissionsfree alternative fuel produced from diverse energy sources. What are the pros and cons of alternative fuel hydrogen. More detailed information is available in the applications section, which offers information specific to each industry. The advantages and disadvantages of liquid hydrogen. The advantages and disadvantages of liquid hydrogen liquid. However, the depleting reservoirs of fossil fuels, as well as the disastrous effects of their overconsumption have forced the mankind to rethink about uses of fossil fuels as energy resources. The advantages of hydrogen fuel in todays society, many are talking about the advantages of hydrogen fuel and taking it into consideration as an alternative energy medium. What are the advantages of direct methanol fuel cells. The fuel cell, which is the energy conversion device that can capture and use the power of hydrogen effectively is the key to making this happen.
What are the pros and cons of storing and using hydrogen. Such environmental contamination causes smog, acid rain, and air pollution, which not only harms the environment, but also the health of all living things. The elimination of pollution caused by fossil fuels when hydrogen is used in a fuel cell to create power, it is a completely clean technology. Negm and others published biofuels from vegetable oils as alternative fuels. Alternative fuel hydrogen is widely available in nature and is a renewable source of energy for vehicles. The two biggest advantages to alternative fuel are 1. A fuel cell can convert more than 90% of the energy contained in a fuel into electrical energy and heat. When energy is stored as hydrogen in the form of a liquid of gas, then it will not dissipate until it is used under the assumption that the fuel cell is properly constructed. Not widely used today as a transportation fuel advantages emits only water vapour, assuming there is no leakage of hydrogen gas it can store up to 3x as much energy as conventional natural gas. Because h 2 molecules are so light, uncontained hydrogen gas can easily float to the top of the earths atmosphere and can actually escape into.
The two fuels are stored in separate tanks and the engine runs on one fuel at a time. If we ran out of fossil fuels we would no longer be able to produce hydrogen energy. Alternative fuels is a name given to a specific group of fuel sources in 1992 by the united states department of energy. Advantages of hydrogen as a fuel hydrogen fuel cells play an important role in providing power and storing them. Hevs achieve better fuel economy and have lower fuel costs than similar conventional vehicles. Clearly, hydrogen is less of a pollutant in the air because it omits little tail pipe pollution. Yeah, hydrogen is here, but it is all bound up with other atoms. Government policy will be briefly referenced, but not detailed.
The replacement of fossil fuels with alternative fuels could result in a decrease of co2 emissions, decrease air pollution and reduce acid rain. An important step in this direction has been the development of a device called a fuel cell, which generates electricity using hydrogen. The hydrogen fuel alternative does not release particulates or greenhouse gases, only a water vapor that is clean and non polluting. Switching to a hev can provide the consumer with a multitude of benefits and advantages. Advantages and disadvantages find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Hydrogen is compressed which will contain less energy compared to. Disadvantages of hydrogen as a fuel the disadvantage of hydrogen fuel lies in the methods of storing it. Unlike batteries, fuel cells do not run down or require recharging. Advantages of hydrogen power vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel are environmental friendly i. Hydrogen gas generally exists as h 2 molecules, in which two hydrogen atoms are bound together. Because it is such a high energy resource, nasa has used liquid hydrogen as a fuel since the 1970s. A fuel cell generates electricity by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water.
Transitions to alternative transportation technologies. Fossil fuels are still needed in order to separate the atoms of the hydrogen and oxygen and actually generate hydrogen fuel, fossil fuels are needed. These fuel cells offer a better overall fuel economy. Hydrogen fuel cell engines and related technologies.
Hydrogen as an alternative fuel oregon state university. Nov 18, 2017 the use of hydrogen as fuel is very contradictory and controversial, we present a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells known to date. Advantages and disadvantages of alternative fuels alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol and biodiesel have numerous advantages and disadvantages regarding environmental and societal impacts. Advantages of the hydrogen economy how the hydrogen. Alternative fuels are being developed to supplement or even replace fossil fuels. Lpgvs are bifuel vehicles with multifuel engines capable of running on two fuels. Whereas coal, fossil fuels, and other energy sources create greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen combustion results solely in heat and water. High efficiency when utilizing cogeneration, fuel cells can attain over 80% energy efficiency. There are many advantages and benefits to be discussed of hydrogen energy or using hydrogen fuel cell.
Fuel cells and rechargeable batteries level 8 chemistry. Benefits and disadvantages fuel cells university of. Therefore, the advantages of the hydrogen economy include. Environmentally beneficial greatly reduces co2 and harmful pollutant emissions. Flex fuel vehicles, as duel fuel vehicles, have an internal combustion engine capable of functioning with a mixture of fuels. The wealth of hydrogen on earth makes this element an ideal candidate for fuel use. Research and commercial efforts are under way to expand the limited hydrogen. Fuel cells may eventually replace the internal combustion engine as a clean, highly efficient source of power for all types of highway vehicles.
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