Is this the future?
- Thread starter A_8
- Start date
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
From what I've heard, the Fuel Cell isn't the answer.
So, if you are going to have tanks containing Hydrogen, why not have a conventional internal combustion engine.
I believe that would be more efficient than converting it into electricity and then running an electric motor.
So, if you are going to have tanks containing Hydrogen, why not have a conventional internal combustion engine.
I believe that would be more efficient than converting it into electricity and then running an electric motor.
ST840
Well-Known Member
Isn’t the byproduct from a hydrogen combustion engine H20? I’m no scientist and have never claimed to be so excuse me if this is a stupid question, but if all boats eventually go over to that type of propulsion, and they all end up dumping fresh water out the exhaust and into the salty sea, what then happens to the salt content of the sea? Surely it will dilute and the sea will slowly become more fresh?
Not good for sea life.
Leighb
Well-Known Member
I think you will find that it rains into the sea, billions of tons a year, and all the rivers on earth drain even more billions.
but hopefully you were joking ?
but hopefully you were joking ?
ST840
Well-Known Member
I did tell you it was a stupid question! I gave fair warning.
A_8
Well-Known Member
I was thinking the same but there must be a reason they are taking the route through fuel cells and electrical. Speculation on my part but it seems electrical is what sells these days and for power hungry applications (boats and airplanes for example) batteries are a "flash in the pan" so this may be a way to keep things electrical (which btw would make the drivetrain very smooth and quite) and sort of open for a electrical drive train infrastructure to cope with different applications and ongoing development on batteries, fuel cells or whatever else might come along.
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Bojangles
Well-Known Member
It's very difficult to imagine renewable energy for larger motorboats, how many batteries would this guy need? 
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James L
Well-Known Member
I think Mercedes trialed some Hydrogen powered ICE cars a while back.
I think it would be more efficient but the fuel cell would give more flexibility.
Especially being able to use the motors etc from cars. I can't imagine a huge amount of research going into using Hydrogen ICE for small boats. By hooking up a fuel cell to an electric motor you have a very easy way to reuse technologies from different applications.
Imagine twin 360hp motors weighing a total of 70kg. I guess the fuel cells themselves will be rather heavy.
vas
Well-Known Member
1 ton of LifePO4 batteries would get you planning to the next marina (if it's within 20nm I guess...)
I always wonder how a 50-60ft f/b mobo would look with a couple of masts
or get the one ton of batteries 5kW solar and stick to 4kn
I always wonder how a 50-60ft f/b mobo would look with a couple of masts
or get the one ton of batteries 5kW solar and stick to 4kn
penfold
Well-Known Member
Fuel cells have an efficiency spread dependent on fuel and chemistry of 40-60%; even at the low end of that it's as good as a diesel operating at its most efficient. Even better the reactions are exothermic so you still get hot water! The density of hydrogen isn't good though, a liquid fuel cell may be more practical.
The density of hydrogen isn't good though, a liquid fuel cell may be more practical.John100156
Well-Known Member
At the moment, we have several battery test and fuel cells labs in design and construction stages both at the National Physical Laboratory and Imperial College London, and we are piping-in a lot of H2 into these labs, we are normally about 5 years in advance of seeing research hit the market, trust me, they are definitely on their way. Yes, the by-products are H2O and its introduction would be 'a drop in the ocean' if you pardon the pun.....!