In the field of engines and renewable energies, one of the major goals is to find alternatives that do not pollute the atmosphere and that free us from dependence on fossil fuels. Diesel and gasoline combustion engines seem to have their days numbered, while electric vehicles have gained relevance in recent years. However, hydrogen engines are emerging as a promising solution due to their capabilities and high performance.
Are you interested in knowing everything about hydrogen engines?
Operation of a hydrogen engine
The operation of a hydrogen engine is quite similar to that of an electric motor, although with one key difference: both use electricity to power the vehicle, but they obtain that energy in different ways.
The hydrogen cars They work by combining two types of engines: an internal combustion engine and an electric one. The key is a fuel cell, which generates electricity from a chemical reaction between stored hydrogen and oxygen in the air.
Technically, the cells in the fuel cell have a positive pole (anode) and a negative pole (cathode), separated by a membrane. As hydrogen ions and electrons pass through this membrane, they generate an electric current that is stored in a battery. This energy is used to move the car when required.
The key advantage is that tailpipe emissions are nothing more than steam, making these vehicles a clean option. Although water vapor is a natural greenhouse gas, its cycle in the atmosphere is very short, so its impact on global warming is minimal.
The hydrogen engine is therefore a technology that could make a difference in the transition towards emission-free transport.
Hydrogen engine problems
Despite its advantages, the hydrogen engines face some key challenges. One of the main problems is the lack of infrastructure to refuel with hydrogen. Currently, there are very few recharging stations, which considerably limits the autonomy of these vehicles, even though they can offer up to 596 kilometers autonomy.
Furthermore, the hydrogen production process is not entirely clean. Although the car does not produce emissions during operation, the generation of hydrogen – whether by electrolysis or natural gas reforming – requires energy that in many cases comes from non-renewable sources, increasing the car's total life cycle emissions.
Compared to electric motors, hydrogen engines can offer a range similar to that of internal combustion engines, but acceleration and power still do not reach the levels of traditional gasoline or diesel engines.
How do you refuel a car with hydrogen?
Refueling a hydrogen car is a simple and quick process, similar to that of an internal combustion car. Refueling is done through a hose that seals to the car's tank, injecting compressed hydrogen into the tank.
Charging time is one of the main advantages of hydrogen cars: They are fully recharged in just five minutes, making them a much more convenient option than some electric vehicles, which take longer to fully charge.
The safety of hydrogen
One of the main technological challenges facing hydrogen vehicle manufacturers is ensuring the safety of hydrogen tanks in accident situations. These tanks must withstand frontal and side impacts without risk of explosion.
Hydrogen vehicles are equipped with advanced safety systems that stop the flow of hydrogen in the event of a collision. In addition, hydrogen is an extremely light gas, so if a leak were to occur, the hydrogen would quickly disperse into the atmosphere and would not pose a high risk like other flammable gases used in traditional vehicles.
Myths and truths of hydrogen engines
There are many myths surrounding hydrogen engines, partly due to general ignorance. Below we debunk some of the most common ones:
- They don't just run on hydrogen: Hydrogen engines do not rely solely on hydrogen. They require electricity to operate and fuel cell technology to generate the energy.
- Require maintenance: Hydrogen vehicles are not maintenance-free. The electrolytes must be checked periodically to ensure proper operation.
- The cost is high: Although prices have decreased slightly, the high cost of producing hydrogen remains an obstacle to mass adoption.
In terms of autonomy, some current models, such as the Hyundai NEXO, can travel up to 666 km with a full hydrogen recharge.
Hydrogen cars also have a similar driving and acceleration characteristics to electric vehicles, which is a considerable improvement compared to the first versions of this technology.
Hydrogen has enormous potential, but further work is still needed on refuelling infrastructure and reducing fuel production costs.
Hydrogen engines have great potential to become an essential part of the future of clean transport. Technology continues to advance, and although there are still many challenges ahead, there is no doubt that hydrogen engines have an important place on the road to sustainability.