Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: rasheed shraideh on 11/09/2008 09:59:57

Title: How can hydrogen be used to power cars?
Post by: rasheed shraideh on 11/09/2008 09:59:57
rasheed  shraideh asked the Naked Scientists:

Dear sir

You are providing so much science. I can say that your URL is one of the best.

Is it really that we can run our cars on water without storing of hydrogen?

Best regards

Rasheed Shraideh

What do you think?
Title: How can hydrogen be used to power cars?
Post by: Pumblechook on 11/09/2008 12:41:07
All sorts of things are possible.  Whether they are practical particularly on economic grounds is another matter. 
Title: How can hydrogen be used to power cars?
Post by: Allmine on 12/09/2008 11:49:17
It is definetly possible. All you have to do is to convert the water into hydrogen via electrolysis on the go, and feed the hydrogen directly into the engine. It is a fairly simple setup. In fact one of my friends is building a device to runs his car partially on hydrogen, thereby increasing his gas mileage. Just go to YouTube. There are LOTS of examples.
Title: How can hydrogen be used to power cars?
Post by: daveshorts on 12/09/2008 16:18:51
It will always take more energy to split the water than you get out by burning it again, so it certainly isn't going to get you to the shops very well.

However it is possible that the hydrogen and oxygen are doing something to the efficiency with which you friend's engine is burning its petrol (which is possible in an old or non-optimised engine but I think unlikely in a modern fuel efficient one)...
Title: How can hydrogen be used to power cars?
Post by: Don_1 on 13/09/2008 12:09:04
Later this month the Grove Fuel exhibition & conference will take place at the QE II Conference Centre in Westminster. I have worked on this show many times in the past, it's fascinating.
Try goggling 'Grove Fuel'.