PRACTICAL NO.

6
AIM: To study the characteristics, properties and possibility of H2 as alternative fuel for
automobiles.
OBJECTIVE: After this practical, student will be able to,
To Describe properties of H2 in context of automobile fuel.
To Compare performance of H2 with petrol and diesel and other alternative
fuels.
To List advantages & disadvantages of H2 as automobile fuel.
EQUIPMENTS: Various charts/Tables describing properties of H2, comparison of H2 with
petrol, diesel and other fuels.
THEORY
Introduction: Hydrogen is the most attractive and ultimate candidate for a future fuel and an
energy carrier, as it is recognized as the environmentally desirably clean fuel of the future.
Hydrogen is an important chemical material that is utilized in a large scale in synthetic
chemical industries in modern society. On the other hand, technologies for utilizing hydrogen
as clean source of energy are considered to assume an important position in order to
overcome problems of lack of energy and environment in future.
MAIN PROPERTIES:
1. Hydrogen is an odorless, colorless gas. With molecular weight of 2.016,
2. It is the lightest element. Its density is about 14 times less than air.
3. Hydrogen is liquid at temperatures below 20.3 K (at atmospheric pressure).
4. Hydrogen has the highest energy content per unit mass of all fuels - higher
5. heating value is 141.9 MJ/kg, almost three times higher than gasoline

CHARACTERSTICS:

Advantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Renewable in nature.
Clean fuel due to low emission of NOx and no CO2
Can be produced from variety of feed stocks.
Requires low Ignition energy.
Superior combustion characterstics.
Adulteration free.
High purity level available.

Disadvantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

High flammability leads to an explosive quality to the fuel-air mixture.

Leak detection is difficult as it is odourless.
On board storage is difficult due to low energy volume density.
(Huge storage space is required in compared to other fuels)
Pre ignition and backflash causes engine design challenges.
Expensive as production quantity is limited.
Lack of distribution infrastructure.

Hydrogen Production :
Currently Hydrogen is produced for industrial applications from
1. Fossil Fuels (currently 90% of 42 mtons/yr)
2. Coal - converted to mixture of hydrogen (50%),
3. Natural Gas methane
i. by Direct cracking
ii. Catalytic steam reforming; this is most efficient, widely used, and
cheapest method )
4. Partial Oxidation of heavy oil
All of the above methods release CO2
5. Water: Electrolysis (No CO2)
6. Other Methods (Solar energy) for Biomass gasification, Photocatalysis of biological
system algae

On board storage for mobile use :

At present on board storage of hydrogen is the greatest challenge due to its very low density
and hence very low energy volume ratio.
1. Liquefied in cryogenic containers.
2. High pressure compressed gas.
3. Absorbed in metals (in form of metal hydride).
4. Activated carbon storage.
5. Glass micro spheres
But all techniques have their limitations of one kind or the other which causes restricted
application.
Hydrogen for fuel celled vehicles: ( Hydrogen Fuel Cells)
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device which converts the chemical
hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity.
2H2 + O2 2H2O (+285 kJ/mol)
Fuel cell provides a DC (direct current) voltage that can be used to power motors,
lights or number of electrical appliances. The existing fuel cells are usually classified
by their operating type and the type of electrolyte they use.
The main advantage of hydrogen fuel cell is that it does not consume the material it is
composed of, like conventional batteries which are to be discarded after some time.

H2

2H+ + 2e-

2H+ + 2e- + O2
H2O
V

ideal

= 1.48 V per

Fuel (H2) is first transported to the anode of the cell.

Fuel undergoes the anode reaction.
Anode reaction splits the fuel into H+ (a proton) and eProtons pass through the electrolyte to the cathode.
Electrons can not pass through the electrolyte, and must travel through an external
circuit which creates a usable electric current.
Protons and electrons reach the cathode, and undergo the cathode reaction.
The main types of fuel cells
Fuel Cell types

Fuel

Efficiency
(%)

Operating
temp.
(oC)

PEM
(Polymer exchange membrane
fuel cell

H2

40-50

80

Direct Methanol (DMFC)

Methanol, Ethanol

35

80

Solid Oxide (SOFC)

H2, CO, CH4

45-55

700

Molten Carbonate (MCFC)

H2, CO, CH4

50-60

650

Phosphoric Acid (PAFC)

H2

40-50

190

Alkaline (AFC)

H2

50

50

Possible Commercial Scale Applications

1. Energy Sector
2. Motor vehicles
3. Aviation
4. Space Expolaration
Conclusion : Careful analysis of continuing, large-scale use of conventional fuels, will lead
to the conclusion that Hydrogen is the ideal energy carrier of the future. Mainly, we refer to
molecular Hydrogen, which is stable and can be used in practical applications.
On Earth, Hydrogen can come from an inexhaustible source, water, but to obtain Hydrogen
from water requires the use of another energy form (solar, electrical etc.) in a quantity of 2080%, compared with the energy obtained from its use as a fuel.
Since, by burning Hydrogen we obtain water vapor, its recycling from water is achieved by
an automatic integration of the water cycle in nature. Water vapors are not toxic, and from an
ecological point of view, Hydrogen used as fuel represents an ideal energy carrier
This offers a real advantage for Hydrogen, if it is obtained from water using a technology
where a primary nonpolluting energy source, such as solar, hydraulic or nuclear energy is
utilized.
Questions for Discussion:
(1) Why is Hydrogen not considered as primary energy source in spite of its availability
found in large quantity in nature?
(2) Discuss the properties of Hydrogen that indicates its suitability as an ideal fuel.
(3) Discuss the properties of Hydrogen that causes obstacle for its large scale commercial
application as an automotive fuel.
(4) Discus how hydrogen is practically non pollutant as an automotive fuel.
(5) List the areas of challenges which requires technological research for utilising He2 as
commercial fuel.
Discussion :
(1) Hydrogen is not a natural primary energy source, like coal. Molecular Hydrogen is found
in natural states in the cosmos only where it is free in a proportion of 70%, compared with
the total interstellar matter. It occurs in extremely reduced quantities compared with the

volume of the stars, including the Sun, where Hydrogen is 70% of their composition. The
atmospheres of exterior planets of the solar system (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn Uranus
Neptune, Pluto), have 90% hydrogen content; the remaining 10% is helium (He).
On Earth, Hydrogen can come from an inexhaustible source, water, but to obtain
Hydrogen from water requires the use of another energy form (solar, electrical etc.) in a
quantity of 20-80%, compared with the energy obtained from its use as a fuel.
(2)
Water is produced by Hydrogen combustion, and as we know, water is not noxious.
Because of the nitrogen content in the atmosphere, burning Hydrogen in the air can
produce NOx which is a noxious gas, but for NOx content reduction, known and
applied methods for any classical fuel combustion process can be used in power
plants or thermic engines.
Though the air quantity needed for the stochiometric combustion of a kg of
Hydrogen is of 34.2 kg/kg, The specific air quantity needed in the combustion for
each MJ of heat released is, in the case of Hydrogen about 280 g which reduces the
value of NOx content in gases resulting from combustion is due to the reduced air
quantity for stochiometric combustion, compared with other fuels.
Given that Hydrogen has the smallest molecular mass compared with all other
elements or chemical combinations, it is the best reactive fluid which can be
utilized in a rocket propulsion system; the propulsive force of such a fluid is so
much greater due to the fact that the molecular mass of the respective fluid is
smaller.
The diffusion velocity value in air of Hydrogen is greater than that of any other
fuel. This represents an advantage for forming a homogeneous mixture with air, or
Oxygen, in a very short time, with a positive effect on the burning quality (a more
complete combustion process).
The domain between the two inflammation limits of Hydrogen is very large,
especially in the poor mixture zone (very large value > 2 for the air excess). This
characteristic represents an advantage, particularly when Hydrogen is used as fuel
for thermic engines. Such engines can be more stable functioning in conditions
with large air temperature variations; these conditions do not require a highly
precise control of the feeding and ignition.
(3) Hydrogen as a source of clean energy has a number of attractive advantages, such as
high mass energy density, nontoxic reaction products and abundant natural resources.
However, the application of hydrogen for power sources has been greatly restrained due
to
a. the lack of safe and convenient generation and storage methods.

The density of Hydrogen, both in gaseous and liquid form, has very low value
compared with all other gaseous or liquid fuels. This characteristic of Hydrogen
represents a disadvantage compared with other fuels, especially when Hydrogen is
used in transportation, since the volume and the mass of the fuel containers for the
vehicles is by necessity very large, and the distance covered between two successive
refueling is substantial. Hydrogen can be stored in high pressure tanks or liquefied H2,
or by adsorption on activated carbon, carbon nano tubes or in hydrogen-storing alloys.
b. High cost of Handling and Storage All these facts lead us to prefer the storage of
Hydrogen in liquid form. This storage form in turn represents a disadvantage since it
requires the containers to function at very high pressures and very low temperatures.
High pressures require heavy containers and low temperatures demand special
construction materials, since materials used today, especially steel, become fragile at
these temperatures. Moreover, Hydrogen has the ability to diffuse easily through steel
at normal temperatures, and so the mechanical characteristics of steel can suffer severe
deterioration. The storage and transportation of Hydrogen in a gaseous form (which
can be implemented if it is used for stationary energy installations), also creates
important problems because of its very reduced heat power values relative to its
volume, as a consequence of its very low density value.
Solving this problem requires large diameter pipes for transportation, and large
volume containers for storage. At the same time, to transport Hydrogen using these
pipes, and to store it in these containers requires high power compressors.
c. The characteristics of Hydrogen for ignition energy and burning velocity are
advantageous from one point of view, and disadvantageous for other reasons. Thus,
fast ignition and burning processes are considered advantages as far as combustion is
concerned, especially for engines with compression ignition. On the other hand, fast
ignition and high burning velocity can provoke untimely burning initiatives and high
pressure gradients inside cylinders, resulting in very high mechanical stress.
(4) Since, by burning Hydrogen we obtain water vapor, its recycling from water is achieved
by an automatic integration of the water cycle in nature. Water vapors are not toxic, and
from an ecological point of view, Hydrogen used as fuel represents an ideal energy
carrier. Because of the nitrogen content in the atmosphere, burning Hydrogen in the air
can produce NOx which is a noxious gas, but for NOx content reduction, known and
applied methods for any classical fuel combustion process can be used in power plants or
thermic engines.
Though the air quantity needed for the stoichiometric combustion of a kg of Hydrogen is
of 34.2 kg/kg, The specific air quantity needed in the combustion for each MJ of heat
released is, in the case of Hydrogen about 280 g which reduces the value of NOx content
in gases resulting from combustion is due to the reduced air quantity combustion,
compared with other fuels.
The diffusion velocity value in air of Hydrogen is greater than that of any other fuel. This
represents an advantage for forming a homogeneous mixture with air, or Oxygen, in a

very short time, with a positive effect on the burning quality (a more complete
combustion process).
(5)

Careful analysis of continuing, large-scale use of conventional fuels, that Hydrogen is

the ideal energy carrier of the future. Mainly, molecular Hydrogen, which is stable, nonpolluting, abundant in nature, with high mass energy and can be used in practical
applications but with future challenges requiring technological research with regard to Storage
-Cost of infrastructure
-Engine Design
-Distribution
-Public Safety
References:

Alternative Fuel, Edited by Maximino Manzanera Published by InTech Janeza Trdine 9, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
ANALYSIS OF A HYDROGEN FUELED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
(A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School of Engineering and Sciences of zmir Instute of Technology in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Energy Engineering
By Erol KAHRAMAN April 2005 ZMR (TURKEY))
Alternative Fuels Guidebook Richard L. Bechtold P.E
Alternative Fuels by S. S. Thipse

Compiled by: 711101 - Alkesh G parikh

711114 - Jignesh Parmar
711116 -Chauhan Jaideep