 | Bobby Lubbers
is owner of Bobby Lubbers Auto Group, a Chevrolet, Pontiac, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep dealership in Harper, KS. A graduate of Wichita State University, he has been in and around the automotive industry for more than 25 years, and has been nationally recognized by General Motors for exceptional sales and customer satisfaction. You may contact Bobby by phone at (316) 721-1545, or by email at bobby@bobbylubbers.com |
Cars, Trucks, Vans & Automotive
2003-11-01 08:49:00
How safe is hydrogen?
: I have been reading your articles about fuel cells and recently watched the 60 Minutes segment on the fuel cells. Since fuel cells run on hydrogen, an obvious question I have yet to see addressed is... how safe is hydrogen?
ANSWER: Hydrogen has suffered image problems. Hydrogen is usually associated with two things: 1) the Hindenburg disaster and, 2) the hydrogen bomb. In 1937 the Hindenburg was destroyed attempting to land in an electrical storm outside of Lakehurst, NJ. Witness reported observing a blue glow on the top of the airship. The blue glow is indicative of extremely high electrical activity. The current school of thought indicates that the electricity around the skin of the ship probably ignited the skin. The skin was composed of either cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate. Aluminum flakes were combined with these materials to reflect sunlight, to keep the airship cool. The combination of cellulose nitrate and aluminum is commonly known today as the recipe for rocket fuel. The hydrogen contained in the airship did burn. However, hydrogen is lighter than air and the flames streaked upwards, not down into the passenger cabin. Everyone who died in the disaster died from falling to their death or burning to death from flaming, dripping, diesel fuel. All modern fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage techniques are engineered with safety as paramount concern. The composite tanks used to store liquid and gaseous hydrogen undergo rigorous safety testing before they are certified for hydrogen storage. The other reason hydrogen has received negative press in the past is its relationship to the hydrogen bomb. For hydrogen atoms to fuse tighter, as in a hydrogen bomb, special circumstances have to occur. Hydrogen will only fuse under extremely high heat and pressures. This could absolutely never happen in a fuel cell system or hydrogen storage device.
