shuller1458

I am one big tree huger guy. But when it come to the racing, let them tremble when they hear my engine.

Cerberus

Alternative energy sources are becoming a demand. Take for instance Plug Power Inc (ticker: PLUG and trades on Nasdaq). The company is currently undergoing research with Honda to try and create an engine that runs off of water. Ive got no idea how its done but I do know Toyota is looking into that as well......R&D that is.

tmac

The motor that runs off water sounds like a fuel cell, unless they are trying to seperate the hydrogen out of the water to burn that.

RR-942

Copper is third "best" conductive metal after Gold and Silver in general.

shuller1458

That what I was saying, can you imagine GOLD WINDINGS? WOW that would cost you a penny.

toalan

In france they have compressed ait cars, they get 150 km per charge of compressed air. Sounds nutty but they should be availble now or in a few months.

Anomili

Usually I just lurk around this forum, but this topic is definitely a good one. The key to saving the environment and still having any real comparable power is to go with hydrogen combustion engines. Basically you make your engine run off H2 gas mixed with air. It is extremely hard to do many really complex reasons that extend way beyond what I am willing to write right now. But the main reason is that hydrogen gas has a much faster flame rate then standard gasoline. This means that engines backfire almost constantly unless certain precautions are taken. These "precautions" are basically an entire field of research being done all over the world. The select few research groups that have really done their homework have been able to get 120% power (relative to gas) on one of their test cars. The down side to hydrogen gas, besides the massive amounts of engineering required to get proper fueling/containment systems, is that it generally gets used up very quickly. However, as far as performance gas alternatives... BMW recently showed off their prototype that ran a 14.9 second 1/4 mile and a top speed of 185.52 mph.

If you think this is bs then I suggest you do some research. I'll even get you started:
http://www.bmwworld.com/hydrogen/h2r_racer.htm
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index_narrowband.html

l_bilyk

Yo n00b, hydrogen cars ARE electric... but the current comes from a fuel cell instead of a battery

The'res another process that appears to be potentially efficient... it uses the exidation of aluminum with water as the energy releasing reaction... could be the next high capacity battery

H2 tanks seem like the best idea tho

Anomili

I can't believe this... There is in fact a reason why I never post here!
The only noob here, my incompetent critic, is you. (I hope the big words didn't hurt you're head!) I quote myself:
That’s right I said hydrogen COMBUSTION engines. Not you're beautiful little hydrogen fuel cell which powers a small *** electric motor and lets your riced out civic get 500,000 mpg at speeds of 15 kph or less. (Obvious exaggeration) I'm talking about the massive 6.0 Liter V12 engine that BMW got to run off of hydrogen gas. The COMBUSTION of hydrogen gas. If you had even bothered to read any part of the webpage address I posted you might, just might, have found this line: I would really love it if you could find me an electric 6 liter 12 cylinder motor.

To conclude, the only electrical components on a hydrogen combustion engine are those that would be found on your normal everyday car. There is no electricity produced by the reaction in any way. The hydrogen mixes with air, either inside the cylinder or just before it, before being ignited via spark plug. (There are some cases where researchers attempted to use a diesel engine setup, but I am not well read on the results.)

l_bilyk

^that doesn't sound even remotely safe...

Anomili

Not if ricers like you get their hands on it...

shuller1458

HA HA, true ^^^

For H2 combustion, it is always going to be "weak" compared to the gasoline. Think about, Hydrogen has only one hydrogen bond to brake in its molecule H-H. Thats it, that is why it burns (better to say explodes) sooo fast.
Gasoline on the other hand, has avarage formuala of C8H18, that is 18 (hydrogen) + 7 (carbon) bonds to brake. That is why it is more eficient and burns longer.
I don't think H2 will be the alternative fuel to BURN in engines.

What is that procces of oxydation of Aluminum? l_bilyk ? Can you tell us more on that?

Anomili

I don't want to come accross as preaching the same subject over and over, but hydrogen has a lower enthalpy of reaction then standard gas. Remember your not talking about breaking up H2. your talking about breaking up the mixture of H2O (gaseous), not water vapour merely a combination of H2 Gas and air (O2). This reaction gives off more energy then gas. I could go into the whole chemistry behind it, but it's 3:45 am and I'm tired so take my word for it. More energy is created by a hydrogen combustion engine, the problem lies in the containment of the fuel and in the lower activation energy of the reaction.