Questions about Fuel Cell Vehicles?

Question

Im doing a project for school I need help finding theses questions. 1. can you convert an existing car to use this source, or do you need to buy a new car?

2. Is it suitable for the Canadian climate?

3. What sort of milege (fuel efficiency) should you expect to get?

Answer 1

WITH A HYDROGEN / OXYGEN GENERATOR BOLT ON YOU HAVE A HY-BRED ON DEMAND . THEY ARE RATED AT UP TO 45 % BETTER FUEL MILEAGE . I AM IN THE PARTS GATHERING MODE AT THIS TIME TO BUILDING ONE . THEY WILL WORK IN ANY CLIMATE . AND THE BEST THING IS IT RUNS ON WATER -----YEA WATER IS WHAT PRODUCES HYDROGEN / OXYGEN .

Answer 2

No you cannot convert an existing car to use a fuel cell. A fuel cell uses hydrogen to produce electricity. The electricity is then used to power an electric motor in the drivetrain of your car.

No reason that you can't use in Canada other than the exhaust is water vapor so there may be an icing issue.

No data on mileage yet. All cars using fuels cells are in prototype design stages.

Answer 3

1.  I don't think you can convert existing car.  Fuel Cell vehicles are usually powered by fuel cell and electrical motors.  Most cars today are not equipped with either.

2.  I believe it is fine for Canadian climate with exception of exhaust problem such as icing or condensation.  But I believe both can be easily solved by using excessive heat generated by the electric motor or controller.

3.  That is hard to calculate.  But typical gas engine is about 20% eefficient from gas to power.  Fuel Cell is generally 40% to 50% efficient.  So, I expect gas mileage to double if not more.

Answer 4

1) Most of the hydrogen fuel cell powered cars built by universities and companies for testing are just production cars that have been converted.  The conversion is performed by removing the combustion engine and gas tank, and replacing them with a fuel cell stack, an electric motor (along with possible transmission modifications), and a tank for the hydrogen.  The conversions cost upwards of $300,000, about $200,000 of that just for the fuel cells.

2) Where in Canada?  Around Vancouver or Toronto, they would probably work fine.  However, it is a good question to ask.  Fuel cell output and efficiency plummet in cold environments.  The fuel cell does generate excess heat, so once they warm up (or if kept warm by a heater) they can still function OK.

3) It is very difficult to compare mileage between hydrogen and gasoline, because they are not the same fuel type.  Anyway, a fuel cell vehicle is around 50% energy efficient, while a combustion vehicle is around 20% energy efficient.  However, the hydrogen costs more per BTU.  You will get about the same mileage per dollar with a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle as with a gasoline combustion vehicle ($3.50 US for gasoline).  If you use liquid hydrogen, it makes the fuel cell vehicle 50% worse.  In terms of total energy consumption (well-to-wheel) the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is roughly the same as the gasoline vehicle (which is correctly reflected in the cost per mile).  There are things that might change this in the future, but producing hydrogen will always be a very inefficient use of energy.

The above assumes hydrogen created from the current industrial source: the steam reformation of natural gas.  If you are talking about hydrogen create via electrolysis; that takes twice as much energy, and costs twice as much at the pump.  As for pollution costs; hydrogen fuel cells can ultimately be twice as polluting as gasoline, or produce no pollution at all.  It depends on what the energy source to make the hydrogen is (keep in mind that very little electricity is "clean").

On compressed hydrogen gas, a range of around 150 miles is typical.  With liquid hydrogen, the tanks need to be smaller (lots of insulation) but the energy density is higher.  Ranges of around 250 to 300 miles are possible with LH.