Why do we really want to use hydrogen as a fuel source?

Question

Isn't it extremely combustable? I know gasoline is obviously combustable too. Didn't the Hindenberg blow up and go down in flames because it was using hydrogen gas to keep it afloat? Anyone with a physics degree, Chemistry degree or knowledge about this gas provide an answer.

Answer 1

It's a very portable way to move energy around.  It allows us to build alternative electricity power plants that don't make carbon dioxide (nuclear, solar, wind), and use the electricity to make hydrogen.  

Then we can use the hydrogen to run things like cars.  We do have to be careful with it, but we can do that.  You need to be careful with any fuel.

A small metal hydrogen tank in a car is a lot safer than a big cloth bag full of hydrogen.

Answer 2

Helium(spelling!) gas I believe touched off the "Hindy"!  All the alternative fuels are STRICTLY POLITICALLY motivated.  There is no more truth to global warming than there is a real man in the moon!

Answer 3

Hydrogen has a similar flash point to gasoline, so the chance of igniting a flame is similar. It is harder to contain since hydrogen molecules are so small they leak out of microscopically small holes, but the gas dissapates instead of pouring on the ground where it can ignite, like gasoline. In a sealed tank with no oxygen, there is no chance of it expoding, so some system to keep air out as the H2 is removed is important.

The advantage that H2 has over gasoline is that H2 has a lower radiant heat - fires burn at the same temperature as with gasoline but burning H2 gives off less heat to surrounding objects so it is less likely to catch something else on fire.

The problem with the Hindenberg was a large static electric charge zapped the hydrogen and set it off. This would happen with a floating ungrounded ship, where a big charge differential between it and the ground could build up.  I don't know if there would need to be some grounding on a H2 powered automobile - I think that a sealed tank is good enough to protect the fuel. If you notice all the signs at gas stations, they warn you about the  danger of a electric spark from a cell phone or other device potentiall igniting the fuel. If you fill a plastic gas can, you are supposed to put the can on the ground so it is grounded and no spark jumps. Gasoline trucks drag chains from the chassis to the road to ground it and prevent explosions when the tank cap is opened.

Also, the material containing the fuel on the zepelin was flammable - If you look at photos of the disaster, it burned rather than exploded. This would not happen on a H2 car.

so, is H2 a danger. Yes, but so is gasoline but the latter is one danger we have grown to be accustomed to being around.

Answer 4

Yes, hydrogen is more combustible than gasoline, which is part of why it's attractive as a fuel. Because of it's reactivity, it takes a lot less hydrogen to accomplish the same work. The downside, is that at the moment it takes a lot more work to get the hydrogen than it does to make gasoline.

The Hindenberg wasn't using hydrogen as a combustible fuel, they were instead using it for it's ligher-than-air properties because it's more bouyant than helium. As long as you don't intend to keep enough hydrogen in your car to make it fly, you should be fine. ;)

Answer 5

yeah its the one of the most combustable materials on earth.

look at the car bombs in iraq imgigna them times 3 beaucade hydrogen is more explosive than gas plus wackos use store hydrogen to make hydro bombs.

but hey dont listen to a guy who saw a hydro bomb go off on t.v.