Hydrogen fuel in automobiles and tractors

Abstract

Abstract The concept is formulated of using hydrogen from a vehicle-borne hydrogen generator in automobile/tractor engines. Generalized information is presented on the results of computational—theoretical and experimental studies. Conditions for hydrogen stored onboard the vehicle in the form of the main raw material and energy carrier obtained from secondary aluminium, reduced oxides of silicon, aluminium and their compounds from by-products of thermal power stations and the aluminium—magnesium industry, are compared with cryostats, metal hydride and gas cylinder hydrogen accumulators. The efficiency of hydrogen generation is assessed in the automobile—tractor hydrogen generator, which is a small-size device with a flexible process control system. The region of predictable toxicity decrease parameters in combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen in the presence of steam is investigated. Prospects for the effective use of hydrogen and steam according to the gas—diesel variant are shown in solving the energy and ecology problems of tractor engines for areas of limited air exchange. Coordinated operating conditions are presented for a low-toxicity benzene-hydrogen automobile engine and a vehicle-borne hydrogen generator. The possibility of eliminating hydrogen self-ignition and reducing nitrogen oxide emission in the operation of a hydrogen generator in a microbus fitted with a vehicle-borne hydrogen generator is discussed.