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Posted

Cars with fuel cells ( Hydrogen ) , that can be refilled at petrol stations are a better alternative . Don't think they can catch fire easily ...?

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Posted

The police in Bangkok have leased seven Model 3's for 89m baht. I'm sure it was all very transparent and above board. The below was being driven by a colonel close to my home.

 

20210715_191847~2.jpg

Posted (edited)
On 7/19/2021 at 11:47 AM, tomazbodner said:
On 7/19/2021 at 9:11 AM, nobodysfriend said:

Cars with fuel cells ( Hydrogen ) , that can be refilled at petrol stations are a better alternative . Don't think they can catch fire easily ...?

If Zeppelins taught us anything...

2880px-Hindenburg_burning.jpg

 

"If Zeppelins taught us anything..."

...it taught us that most of that fire was fueled by diesel fuel for the airship's engines and a flammable lacquer coating on the outside.

 

Hydrogen in fuel cell cars is under so much pressure and is so much lighter than air that if the cell is punctured the gas dissipates upwards instantly into the atmosphere unlike a punctured petrol tank that causes leaked fuel, that is also extremely flammable, to pool under the car creating a ready source of fuel for a prolonged burn.

Edited by Liverpool Lou
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Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"If Zeppelins taught us anything..."

...it taught us that most of that fire was fueled by diesel fuel for the airship's engines and a flammable lacquer coating on the outside.

 

Hydrogen in fuel cell cars is under so much pressure and is so much lighter than air that if the cell is punctured the gas dissipates upwards instantly into the atmosphere unlike a punctured petrol tank that causes leaked fuel, that is also extremely flammable, to pool under the car creating a ready source of fuel for a prolonged burn.

That is not what I saw on National Geographic. They showed a sudden turn before landing which ruptured HYDROGEN tanks near the back of the airship, which started seeping out, and ignited due to sparks caused by static discharge when the anchor was dropped, which spread through the ship through metal frame . In the subsequent tests they found out that aluminum coating had basically no role to play in fire spreading so rapidly. I think the show was called "Seconds from disaster", but as it's a couple of years ago, it could as well be some other investigative series.

Edited by tomazbodner
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Posted
2 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

ruptured HYDROGEN tanks near the back of the airship, which started seeping out,

Hydrogen does not seep out, it immediately dissipates upwards into the atmosphere as it's 16 times lighter than air.

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Posted

I am still not convinced about the entire electric revolution into cars.   First off, in the USA 40% of the electric power comes from coal, another 40% from natural gas, 10% nuclear and only 10% from renewable, wind/solar,and hyrdro electric.  So at least in part the use of electric cars only changes where the pollution is created.  Secondly, lithium is a rare earth element and essential to car batteries.  Its supply is more limited than oil and its mining is extremely dirty.  You then have the manufacturer of batteries which has numerous toxic byproducts and when the batteries need to be replaced you have to deal with how to recycle those batteries without it being a major pollution contributor.  You have the issue of accidents.  When gas is spilled it can be diluted and it dissipates quickly.  With car batteries that leak you have a much more dangerous spill.  Finally there is the practicality of the electric car.  You have to spend more to buy it, and install a charging station at your home at considerable expense.  If you were to travel a lengthy distance you have to worry about where charging stations were available and then even if found, sit for considerable periods of time while recharging.   I think the Tesla is probably a very well built car but its resale is likely in question as it steadily marches towards the time that its batteries would need to be replaced and new technology obsoletes its performance and range. 

Bottom Line - I think electric cars are "a want in search of a need" 

Posted

The concept of hydrogen fuel cell cars has an initial conception of superiority to storage battery powered ones that is deceptive.

To extract hydrogen from the air requires an electric energy source.

That hydrogen is  then utilized to produce again electric energy  onboard a vehicle.

A battery powered  vehicle uses  an electric energy source  directly.

In terms of  efficiency in use of electric energy  source a battery powered electric vehicle would seem more efficient although "refueling" takes considerably longer.

Given the state of current technology storage battery powered ev's are winning the contest. despite the issue of (as  yet) unrecyclable defunct battery packs and the occasional fire. Fossil fuel vehicles also catch fire randomly at times too.

Pollution of one sort or other is inevitable  even if the pretext of shifting away as much as possible from fossil fuels to reduce atmospheric pollution is argued as viable.

If nothing else the Tesla Badge has certainly established itself as an iconic front runner in the developing new game.

 

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Posted

Over here , if a electric car catches fire , and yes it does happen , fire department comes over with a container filled with water and dump it in it and it stays in there for at least 24h .

Electric engines are far superior above any fuel driven engine , in any which way . Problem is the batteries , but they are improving . As for hydrogen , it is nice but there are several issues .Hydrogen normally is made from methane , CH4+O2-> 2 H2 + CO2 . You can make hydrogen from water , making clean hydrogen , but the problem there is that it is terrible inefficient . This can be solved by using overproduced wind energy and at that time make as much hydrogen from water as possible . Next is the technology after the hydrogen . Hydrogen can be used in classic engine , but again isnt very efficient . 2nd technique is using fuel cell + electric engine . Problem there is that fuel cells are mighty expensive , as they use very pricy metals ( platinum ) .

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