A Review on Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel

In order to reduce the atmospheric pollution emitted by automobiles, control devices are being incorporated in the vehicles in many countries. This has resulted in a reduced vehicle mileage to the extent of about fifteen percent. Without the introduction of new technology, any further reduction in emission levels would be expected to extract payment in the form of further fuel economy losses. It is, therefore, worthwhile to look into the suitability of “clean†burning fuels for use in internal combustion engines and assess their potential for reducing engine exhaust emissions. So the investigation of alternative fuels becomes very necessary.

        Hydrogen powered vehicles have been in development for the past decade. Hydrogen internal combustion engines may prove to be the most effective solution for the immediate future. This project explores the feasibility of making hydrogen internal combustion engines in mass produced vehicles. We researched the different methods for producing hydrogen, storing it in vehicles and converting traditional internal combustion to burn hydrogen instead of gasoline. Through this research we investigated the advantages of hydrogen internal combustion engines over hydrogen fuel cells. Though this technology shows the promising future, it has long way to go with further R & D, experimentation work for further betterment and efficient technological advancement in future.

Keyword: reduced emission, fuel economy, new technology, alternative fuel, hydrogen ICE.