No question about it. Putting a 10,000psi hydrogen tank in my car scares the willies out of me. But is it any more dangerous than my existing gas tank? According to the folks who make BMW, it isn't. Of course, Ford said the Pinto was safe, so I guess a lot more research and testing needs to happen before the question can be answered:
Wagner says consumers should not fear a hydrogen-powered vehicle.
"Of course there is some risk, but it is comparable to the risk we have with conventional automotive fuels," he said.
BMW conducted numerous crash tests to see what would happen if the hydrogen tank was punctured or damaged. Their engineers report the liquid hydrogen dissipated harmlessly into the air.
archives.cnn.com
Hydrogen tanks do require more space than gasoline tanks. However, they are much safer. Similar tanks have been used in natural gas vehicles for years. They can withstand armor-piercing bullets and dynamite, with no explosion or leaks. A hydrogen tank behind the passenger compartment actually makes the entire car safer from rear-end collisions. So, I would say it is much more practical than a gasoline tank, which will rupture, causing the gasoline to ignite, and frequently, explode. A gasoline fire in an automobile can engulf the passenger compartment, burning passengers to death. Gasoline wicks to the skin when spilled on a person. If hydrogen is spilled, it disperses quickly into the atmosphere. There is no radiant heat from burning hydrogen, so a hydrogen flame will not burn skin unless the body is put directly into the middle of the flame.
hydrogennow.org |
