Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
technical breakthroughs and problems occur. Newer more advanced
propulsion systems will be developed to replace the internal-combustion
engine. More efficient, cleaner cars will emerge from the many research
projects under way. New technologies such as the familiar hybrids with
both gas and electric power will grow even more popular along with
fuel cell vehicles which are, basically, electric cars.
Further improvements to gasoline cars may make them modern
high-tech wonders, but their roots are still in the 19th century. Modern
materials, electronics, and manufacturing processes will continue to
improve and they make modern vehicles closer to the theoretical ideals
of gasoline engine technology. But increasing regulations on exhaust
emissions, forecasts of oil shortages and the potential of global warming
by greenhouse gases have led the motor vehicle industry and national
governments to spend tens of billions of dollars over the last decade on
cleaner, more efficient technologies to succeed the century old internal
combustion (IC) engine.
Fuel cell vehicles are viewed as one of the best long term options.
A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has advantages over alternatives, such as
hybrid vehicles which combine IC engines with electrochemical batteries
and still require petrochemical fuels that exhaust carbon dioxide and
pollutants.
FUEL CELL TRENDS
Fuel cells could become a major player in our energy future. In order
to see more cars on the road that are fuel cell vehicles, many obstacles
and challenges will have to be overcome, but there does not seem to
be anything that is insurmountable. The cost of specialized materials is
dropping and higher-volume manufacturing will bring production costs
down.
Fuel cells promise an efficient, combustion-less virtually pollution-
free source of electric power. As stationary power sources, they are capable
of being sited in downtown urban areas or in remote regions. They are
very quiet and have few moving parts, using an electrochemical process
discovered more than 150 years ago. Fuel cells were used to supply electric
power for spacecraft in the 1960s. Today, they are being used worldwide
to provide on-site power and waste heat for military bases, banks, police
stations, and office buildings using natural gas as a fuel.
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