SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!!
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Krowbar who wrote (80731)6/3/2000 8:21:00 PM
From: Jacques Chitte  Read Replies (1) of 108807
 
Methanol-powered fuel cells are very inefficient. Hydrogen fuel cells are efficient in the sense that you get many miles per pound of fuel. However you can barely get a pound of fuel into a garageable vehicle, so <shrug>.

But I think our fine Mr. Flury was stretching it when he suggested that methanol fuel cells are efficient. Each molecule of CH3OH is subjected to the equivalent of combustion to yield water, CO2 and one H2 per fuel molecule at best. (That's all done on a hot precatalyst bed before any power is made available to the drive.) That's wasting 97% of the mass of fuel that you're carrying around in order to get at the hydrogen residue, which is the only thing the fuel cell can use.

I'll put a direct-injection Turbodiesel with ten gallons of fuel up against a methanol fuel cell vehicle with equivalent power rating and ten gallons of fuel any day.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News