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codes4242 t1_ixxwb72 wrote

So they found a way to create hydrogen fuel from ammonia at a low temperature. That's cool and all, but I can't imagine ammonia as being a realistic thing to fill car gas tanks with as a starting precursor for liquid hydrogen. Anyone who has smelled pure ammonia would know why I say that.

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pickleer t1_ixxz5uw wrote

Using an LED in the car to crack the H from the ammonia is what makes this novel.

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CapAll55 t1_ixxylec wrote

All it would require to avoid the pure ammonia smell at the pump is an airtight connection between gas tank and pump nozzle. That’s an off-the-shelf part already, making these tanks would be straightforward. The greater challenge would be designing a car-sized hydrogen engine of comparable power output. I’m no thermo expert, but this seems possible if the transference of ammonia to hydrogen can be quick enough to feed the engine as much H as it needs.

This can genuinely happen if it can be profitable. And that’s the kicker, it’s gotta be as profitable as gas or more.

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Longjumping-Still434 t1_ixxzroi wrote

And hope that oil companies don't "get rid of" the competition.

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CapAll55 t1_iy06x5a wrote

Yeah absolutely, which happened with electric cars in the 90s. If todays EV push is any indication thought, with enough persistence and acceptance even big oil has to get on board or be left behind.

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Alan_Smithee_ t1_ixzp3f1 wrote

It would have to be a sealed system like LPG; ammonia fumes are lethal.

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CartmansEvilTwin t1_ixyi61n wrote

What's being discussed in Germany is using ammonia as a kind of hydrogen carrier substance for long haul transport and storage. For example from Africa to Germany or as storage medium over the seasons.

The reasoning is, that ammonia is much easier to work with them ammonia.

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Alan_Smithee_ t1_ixzoz5h wrote

If you’ve smelled pure ammonia, you’re probably dead.

But it actually shows some promise as fuel: good energy density, easy to transport and store, unlike hydrogen.

Most ICEs and fuel cells will run on it.

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flower4000 t1_ixxwnqt wrote

It probably takes more energy to cool it than it creates

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onewaytojupiter t1_ixyg5pv wrote

It does, hydrogen is already very inefficient as an energy source..

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grabman t1_iy0g59w wrote

Yes, in high school chemistry lab accidentally took a sniff. Not a pleasant experience

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