Forget the hydrogen economy, go methanol!

[gone-ot]

Q: how many fuel-cell powered vehicles currently driving around?

A: not many!

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Yes, it's possible. Any source of cellulose can be used to make fuel.

I know, right? Reminds me of this:

Cool Planet | The only company producing carbon negative fuels based on plant photosynthesis to remove CO2 from our atmosphere

[Air-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Q: how many fuel-cell powered vehicles currently driving around?
A: not many!

That is sort of my point when highlighting this fuel cell design...

That is, I've never been a fan of H2 fuel-cells for cars, actually because of the complete sea-change that would be needed in the 'gas station' infrastructure, and all the problems associated with piping it and storing it, or reforming it on site.... Now, admittedly some of these problems also apply to methanol but it is much closer to our current fuels. The other old hang up is that methanol has half energy per kilo (and, per litre) of petrol ... but this fuel-cell reports efficiencies close to that of a straight hydrogen FC, so it seems like the final big hurdle has been overcome.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Air-Hybrid

That is sort of my point when highlighting this fuel cell design...

this fuel-cell reports efficiencies close to that of a straight hydrogen FC, so it seems like the final big hurdle has been overcome.

How efficient we talking?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I've been reading about hemp-based biodiesel. The hemp fibers could also be used for other petro-chemical industrial purposes, replacing synthetic fibers such as nylon and even fiberglass in some applications

You can use hemp for just about anything - from home construction to clothing to fuel ... it's all down to breeding and harvesting / separating the right fibers for each task.

[Air-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

How efficient we talking?

Real world low-temperature PEM cells regularly manage above 60% 'full-cycle' fuel efficiency, so these cells should be very close to them.

[oil pan 4]

Do we have any operational examples of this technology?

[Air-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Do we have any operational examples of this technology?

Yes.
Straight hydrogen ~ Honda_FCX_Clarity, but only in very low numbers because it needs hydrogen filling-stations, that there is no economic incentive to build (or put in the production/delivery infrastructure).

There are also buses operating today that reform liquid fuel into H2 for their FCs onboard.

Obviously, the Rostock-led group is some years off fully commercialising this invention, but I predict that this tech and better BEVs will eventually replace IC engines, not hydrogen.

[oil pan 4]

The fuel cell alone still costs more than most cars don't they?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

The fuel-cells are still too expensive, altough they evolved a lot since the first experiences performed by GM in the 60's when it could be around 100 times more expensive than a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle.
workaround ideas to discuss among friends: Hydrogen as a fuel: a distant dream