Ok, me and my friend developed a prototype for a Hydrogen engine. We are pretty confident it will work, but we are having trouble getting pure hydrogen. we are using electrolysis, but we cant get the hydrogen inside an enclosed container. Basically, we need help harvesting hydrogen.
2007-08-10 19:03:55 · 4 answers · asked by detrimental14 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
I know enough to know that hydrogen is not something to be messed about with (other than lab scale but even here care is required) without a properly engineered system. This is not easy and requires a way to compress the hydrogen. Hydrogen can be used safely but the engineering is a job for experts.
2007-08-10 19:47:17 · answer #1 · answered by Robert A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the industry the hydrogen line is always at a positive pressure. This ensures that no air can get in. Any air admixed will be detrimental to health and property.
If the electrolysis is on an aqueous solution, the hydrogen has to be dried before compressing. The compressor, the holding tank and the connecting plumbing must be free of any air.
It will cost a packet to set up a proper line. Even fairly small quantities of hydrogen can cause a lot of damage in case of accidents.
If the aim is the engine rather than a total system, it may be wothwhile to hire a hydrogen welding cylinder and check out the engine performance rather than produce hydrogen, which can be taken up separately.
2007-08-11 03:48:50 · answer #2 · answered by A.V.R. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how much pressure you need.
If the required pressure and volume are low,
try this:
Do your collecting in a vessel with the fuel line,
(and maybe an in-line CaCl2 dryer in place).
Purge & close the line with the vessel almost full.
With a bottom plate trap the gas in the vessel,
Allow some water to remain as a seal.
Transfer the vessel to a deeper tank, and sink it to the bottom. Leave some gap below.
You now have a small volume of low pressure,
fairly pure gas to work with.
At the level of expertise you demonstrate,
you really shouldn't be working with more.
Im' sure you've heard it before, but in the circumstance, I feel obligated to say:
Hydrogen has a wide explosive mixture range and is very easy to ignite.
An amateur lashup such as described above should be used only outdoors, or in an area well ventilated by positive pressure.
If you don't know what that means - find out.
2007-08-11 22:19:30 · answer #3 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cheapest way to get a combustible gas is by using wood gas. Look up "wood gas" on wikipedia for more info.
You can retrofit a standard car to run off of wood gas.
2007-08-11 02:20:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋