# You can't handle the hydrogen!

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\
**Created:** [April 21, 2009, 6:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510 "2009-04-21T06:51:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 7:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/21 "2009-04-21T07:53:14Z")

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What happens when you put a tank of hydrogen compressed to 10000 psi into a fire? While it’s probably really cool to watch from a safe distance I’m guessing it’s much much worse for anyone near by than what happens when a conventional gas tank ruptures in a fire.

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 7:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/22 "2009-04-21T07:55:16Z")

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Cars burn because gas leaks so easily. High impact hydrogen tanks may actually save lives because there would almost never be fire.(Maybe, no data, just sayin…)

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**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 8:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/23 "2009-04-21T08:03:21Z")

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> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#):
>
> ^Did you have a point? 🙂  
> You can’t pump gasoline or diesel out of the ground either. Right?

Sure you do. You just have to distill it out of oil. You get more energy than you put in.

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**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 8:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/24 "2009-04-21T08:04:23Z")

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If you vent high pressure H2 incorrectly, it can combust immediatly.

BED: you can build house #2  
[http://www.swagelok.com/markets/alternative\_fuels/renewable\_energy\_starts\_at\_home.htm](http://www.swagelok.com/markets/alternative_fuels/renewable_energy_starts_at_home.htm)

edit: They did light the stack manually.😛 But, the velocity is what will get you burned.

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 8:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/25 "2009-04-21T08:46:47Z")

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> [@Fry](#):
>
> Sure you do. You just have to distill it out of oil. You get more energy than you put in.

So… practically I don’t see the difference.

The key IMHO is producing hydrogen using the sun(free energy). See how easy that is?🙂

Edit: I just now looked at the link above and it confirms my belief in solar.🙂

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**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 8:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/26 "2009-04-21T08:50:03Z")

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This thread is so full of fail…

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**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/27 "2009-04-21T08:52:16Z")

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Gas = energy source  
coal = energy source  
solar = energy source  
wind = energy source  
hydrogen = energy transport  
electricity = energy transport

I’m just saying it doesn’t help in terms of energy independence or the environment.

Now as you mentioned, if it’s used to store solar energy then we’re getting somewhere. :tup:

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 8:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/28 "2009-04-21T08:55:07Z")

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I have already constructed a crude, experimental parabolic mirror. Speaking of that, if anyone has a source for old(free) satalite dishes I need some.🙂  
I have also purchased a Stirling engine.:snky: Yeah this is all new high tech stuff from the 1700s.lol

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**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 9:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/29 "2009-04-21T09:01:35Z")

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How much power can you get from Solar panels these days, and how much hydrogen does a fuel cell require to run a home at night?

![http://www.avalence.com/Images/hydrofiller_chart.jpg](http://www.avalence.com/Images/hydrofiller_chart.jpg)

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**Author:** ![Clean\_Baldy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/clean_baldy/32/7308_2.png) [@Clean\_Baldy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Clean_Baldy)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 9:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/30 "2009-04-21T09:12:20Z")

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> **[Hydrogen Fuel](http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydrogen-fuel/)**
>
> News and Information about Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Electric Storage Technologies.

Great website with TONS of information. Although hydrogen is a power carrier, I really really enjoy that the only bi-product is WATER!

I, unlike most people on the planet, DO think about my great grand children. Unlike everyone here who probably has the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. Ever been to a land fill and seen it in person? It’s pretty f@\*)#d up… makes you think a little different about the small things you do.

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 9:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/31 "2009-04-21T09:12:49Z")

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^Those landfills are mountains of energy. 🙂 That website gives me visions of a world free from the chains of OPEC.

I am not sure of the current solar numbers on solar panels but they do seem to be advancing with new technology. Like I said the sun is free and it hits us with a ton o energy everyday.

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**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 9:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/32 "2009-04-21T09:57:31Z")

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Maybe those with a greater chemistry background than me can weigh in on this, but last I knew the general issue with Hydrogen cell saftey (the whole OMG it’s going to blow up argument) was solved by packing the cell with Boron. Boron (gas) would arrange the Hydrogen molecules in a way that prevented sudden explosions and instead, if the cell was punctured or damaged and caught on fire, there would still be a fire but it would be a slow, steady burn.

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**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/33 "2009-04-21T10:18:13Z")

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[quote=“Blue Eyed Devil,post:13,topic:66510"”]

Enough of the suns rays hit the Earth in one week to supply the entire world with power for an entire year. That again seems like a no brainer to me but, again I am not a scientist. lol

[/quote]

I’m pretty sure those numbers should be even greater. Last I heard, the amount of light hitting the earths surface in a day can meet our energy needs for 27 years. But it’s obviously impossible to tap that much power. Especially with current technology. I’ll see if I can find that stuff again.

[quote=“drvnkd,post:29,topic:66510"”]

How much power can you get from Solar panels these days, and how much hydrogen does a fuel cell require to run a home at night?

[/quote]

Most photovoltaic cells are at most %15 efficient. Now depending on where you are, you will not see enough light to meet your own household needs unless you had an acre of solar panels. Here is a solar map for reference.

[quote=“Blue Eyed Devil,post:31,topic:66510"”]

I am not sure of the current solar numbers on solar panels but they do seem to be advancing with new technology. Like I said the sun is free and it hits us with a ton o energy everyday.

[/quote]

Current solar panels are about %15 of what hits them, turn into electricity. Thin film solar panels (like solar shingles) are at most %12. There are some very exciting things happening in the solar panel industry, though. So those numbers should be climbing steadily in the next decade or so.

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**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 10:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/34 "2009-04-21T10:34:56Z")

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> [@Clean Baldy](#):
>
> Ever been to a land fill and seen it in person? It’s pretty f@\*)#d up… makes you think a little different about the small things you do.

hence FL has a lot of waste-to-energy facilities, granted the smell from the is awful.

I use to do operation reports for this one in another life

[http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/wte.htm](http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/wte.htm)

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/35 "2009-04-21T11:33:35Z")

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Yeah WNY is about the worst place for solar, I looked into when I built my house.  
I have seen Fresnel lenses double the solar gain however.

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**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 11:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/36 "2009-04-21T11:36:41Z")

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> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#):
>
> Yeah WNY is about the worst place for solar, I looked into when I built my house.  
> I have seen Fresnel lenses double the solar gain however.

Yeah Solar isn’t your best bet around here. Wind power however…

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/37 "2009-04-22T06:41:39Z")

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Coincidentally last night on NOVA there was a show about this subject.  
Did anyone watch it? They had Tesla Motors on the show too.

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**Author:** ![Penfold](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/penfold/32/5007_2.png) [@Penfold](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Penfold)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/38 "2009-04-22T08:09:46Z")

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> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#):
>
> Enough of the suns rays hit the Earth in one week to supply the entire world with power for an entire year. That again seems like a no brainer to me but, again I am not a scientist. lol

most of that reflects off the earth before it can make its way through the atmosphere.

Lets get our space program back on track and build huge space solar power fields?

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/39 "2009-04-22T08:21:15Z")

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I don’t understand what you are saying.  
“most of the rays reflect off the Earth…”  
If we capture those rays we harness lots o energy.:gotme:

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**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-cant-handle-the-hydrogen/66510/40 "2009-04-22T08:31:00Z")

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Anywho, The show last night made a lot of good points including one that officerK made, the infrastructure would need a major rebuild.

One point that really stuck with me was not new but reminded me that 9X% of the fuel is not used to move the passenger of a car but the car itself. It makes me think maybe fuel isn’t the issue but weight is. Cars weigh an average of 1000 more than they did in the 1980s.

CF & Ti FTW!!! Spend more money developing these items maybe.

Is there a formula for weight vs. fuel use?  
If I remove half of the weight will my mileage double?

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