Hydrogen powered automobiles must use liquid hydrogen

• Published in: Cryogenics 1973-01, Vol.13 (12), p.693-698
• Main Author: Williams, L.O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0011-2275; 1879-2235
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-2275(73)90182-3

A problem of particular interest and importance in the evaluation of a future hydrogen-oxygen economy is hydrogen's use as a fuel for highway vehicles. If, as many authors suggest, hydrogen is the only fuel that will simultaneously keep the environment clean and conserve natural resources, it must eventually be applied to the private vehicles that are a major pollution offender. Although a number of automobiles have been successfully operated on hydrogen (and this represents no large problem even with unmodified engines), the question remains of how to carry the fuel. This problem is primarily in the technology of the fuel tank - that is how to carry the hydrogen on board the vehicle safely, economically, and with a minimum of other penalties. It is unfortunate that this problem has attracted a number of suggested solutions that are less than optimum (for example, high-pressure gas and metallic hydrides) and that detract from the credibility of entire concept. If, as this author contends, the use of cryogenic liquid hydrogen is the sole, real candidate, its use will have a broad effect on industry. While requiring no basic research, it will necessitate key engineering developments in both the very large cryogenic production facilities and the small vehicle storage vessels and ancillary systems and hardware.