T&T: a metal hydride storage system for hydrogen

[Arild Jensen]

> -----Original Message-----
> has anyone looked at http://independencegreenyachts.com
> <http://independencegreenyachts.com/>  ?
> They claim to store energy (in the form of hydrogen) in a metal hydride
> storage system. I'm not a scientist, but my first reaction to storing
> hydrogen on a boat is an explosive no! >
> Is this safe? (compared to diesel, for example?)

REPLY
Many boats are powered by bus engines that have been marinized.
There has been an ongoing test project in Burnaby BC which powers busses
with hydrogen fuel.
These are passenger carrying public transit vehicles that were converted
from using the venerable Detroit diesel engines.
There has not been one single accident involving the hydrogen fuel.
BTW  Burnaby is also the home of Ballard Fuel cells company.
There was a sailboat in S. california powered by a hydrogen fuel cell
engine.
I haven't heard of any explosions from that either.

Storing hydrogen on a boat is safer than storing propane.
If hydrogen leaks it immediately rises into the atmosphere. Propane settles
into the bilge area.
When was the last time you hear anyone fretting about storing a jerry can of
gasoline fuel for the dinghy on board a boat?
Yes it does require a certain amount of care. So does gasoline and propane.
Yet there are thousands of boats doing both. Hydrogen on board is no worse.
The limitation right now is the lack of a distribution system for getting
refill stations within easy reach of consumers.

regards
Arild