The hydrogen engine is a spark ignition engine running on hydrogen fuel. Conventional gasoline engines used in cars can be converted into hydrogen engines by some modifications.

Main exhaust emission is water. As far as energy efficiency and applicability in ground transportation are concerned, the main challenges lie in hydrogen generation and on-board storage.

Hydrogen storage

The following table shows the heat value of hydrogen compared to gasoline.

Source: Buchner 2000

Due to the low volume-specific heat value of H2 (about 3000 times smaller than that of gasoline), on-board storage in both cars and railways is a challenge.

The following methods exist:

• as compressed gas
• in liquid form
• in a hydrogen-absorbing metal alloy (metal hydride).

The benefits of metal hydride storage include the fact that a relatively large volume of hydrogen can be stored per tank, and the fact that it is almost impossible for large volumes of hydrogen to be released into the air, which gives a safety advantage. The disadvantage of this method are tank weights. In order to combat this, R&D (e.g. at Mazda) is putting effort into the development of metal alloys with higher absorption capacity.

Hydrogen generation

The most common way of obtaining hydrogen is water electrolysis according to the reaction:

2 H2O -> 2 H2 O2

Another promising approach lies in direct conversion from fossil sources. Options discussed are:

• Reforming from carbon gas
• Partial oxidation of heavy hydrocarbons
• Steam reforming from natural gas

Diesel substitute

Replace diesel traction in long-term perspective by alternative autonomous propulsion with less toxic emissions.

Technological

Storage problems are still considerable.

Infrastructure

Transition from diesel to hydrogen supply infrastructure is costly.

Safety

If hydrogen escapes into closed spaces, detonating gas is formed. However with modern technology, safety dangers are not higher than with diesel.

Efficiency of conversion chain and choice of hydrogen generation

The efficiency of the hydrogen motor is only about 25 %.

The efficiency of hydrogen storage and transport is 95%.

The efficiency of the total conversion chain including fuel generation and transport strongly depends on the efficiency of the hydrogen generation process.

The following table gives the efficiencies for different ways of hydrogen generation and the corresponding total efficiency:

Source: data from: Althammer, Hattensperger 1998.

These values show that direct conversion from fossil sources is much more efficient than conversion via power generation and electrolysis.

CO₂ emissions

As far as Greenhouse gases are concerned, the best option is electrolysis using power from renewable sources (water, wind, nuclear) which produces only minor quantities of CO₂ during transport etc.

Hydrogen combustion

As far as emissions are concerned, H2 is the ideal fuel. Even without after-treatment, there are only some minor emissions from lubricant combustion (HC 0,04 g/kWh; PM<0,05g/kWh), and NOx (0,4 g/kWh).

Resource saving

Apart from environmental impact, the long-term availability of the resources used has to be taken into account. Since hydrogen is a means for storing energy rather than an energy source, its advantage does not lie in unlimited availability but in offering a technology, which is compatible with any energy source (fossil or renewable).