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HYDROGEN NEXT? 
The world is constantly searching for a transport technology that can cut emission of green house gases (GHG). This sector beats every other segment hollow in the race to become the highest contributor to Climate Change. It has now been proved that Hydrogen is a zero-emission fuel, that mainly releases water vapour after burning. However, various snags remain in declaring it to be the fuel of the future. Serious questions are still being raised on how safe it is to use it on a regular basis; its relatively high production cost; and various other issues. But can we really reject it without giving it a try? Especially in India, where transport accounts for 15 per cent of total emissions, and is all set to grow enormously. Fuelling concerns Some of the roadblocks that the Hydrogen-run vehicles are facing world over are:  Burning issue Hydrogen is highly inflammable and readily catches fire in air, so storing it is an inherent problem. A group of researchers at the Benares Hindu University (BHU) claim that they have cracked it, and have found a way to safely store it in a solid state—as hydrides. They use a mixture of powdered rare earth metals found in abundance in Orissa, Kerala, and Assam — to absorb hydrogen. Professor O.N. Shrivastava of BHU says, “We can store hydrogen in cylinders at 5-15 atmospheric pressure. It is easier to handle than Compressed Natural Gas which requires storage at 200 bar pressure.” Frying pan to fire? Though hydrogen does not emit carbon, it is known to react with free nitrogen in the air to produce various oxides. These are harmful pollutants and contribute to Climate Change. But, again experts say that production of Nitrogen Oxides can be substantially cut down if the vehicle’s air-fuel ratio is tuned properly. Cost crisis Currently, hydrogen is obtained from chloro-alkßali industries, of which it is a byproduct. The present production cost thus depends on proximity to these industries and is pegged at around Rs 200-300 per kg. But it is bound to come down, if produced at a mass scale, say expert. Weakens engines As hydrogen has a tendency to burn fast, it leads to an imbalance after sometime. Then the engine becomes derated, that is, it gives lesser horse power for a given speed. Researchers are still trying to find a solution to this.
Story so far
The typical cycle that a new technology has to go through before it is rolled out in the market is the following: First, design is worked out on the drawing board. Second, a pilot is prepared. Third, it is demonstrated to manufacturers and the concerned ministry; and in the fourth and the final stage it is commercialised, so that the common man can use it. BHU researchers have developed the vehicles— motorcycles, autos and even a jeep, all powered on pure hydrogen. They have demonstrated this in public, in front of the concerned ministries and the media, way back in 2004. During the tests, the vehicles ran for 50-60 km on a full tank. A recharge takes six minutes, and then the vehicle again zooms at top speed . The hydrogen camp was again in the limelight recently when Professor TN Veziroglu, President of the International Association of Hydrogen Energy (IAHE), Florida (US), offered to send a recommendation to the Indian Prime Minister requesting him to declare Benares as a Hydrogen city. Then what is it that is stopping us from completing the next two phases? Big brother - Hythane Blending of twenty per cent Hydrogen with CNG produces a gas called – Hythane. It is considered to be safer than CNG, and is now being promoted as the fuel of the future, while Hydrogen waits it out on the shelf. There are other reasons as well for Hythane’s rising popularity. 
Ready to roll Hythane can operate within the standards set for CNG as a fuel. While Hydrogen doesn’t have any such regulations published anywhere in the world. Dr Thipse, Senior Assistant Director, Automotive Regulatory Authority of India, (ARAI) says “International Standards Organisation (ISO) is still drafting the parameters of safety for Hydrogen fuel, which will take two years probably”. Industry willing CNG–run three-wheelers and buses are already plying in many Indian cities. These vehicles, with slight modification, can be made to use Hythane. Ashok Leyland, manufacturer of CNG engines in India, has also come up with a prototype of Hythane engine technology. Ministry sources admit, “Automobile makers are willing to try out only those technologies which can be brought to the market within next year. Pure hydrogen remains too futuristic for them.” The road ahead Proffessor O.N. Srivastava says “We have a tendency to consider homegrown technologies to be inferior and always look to the West for importing designs.” BHU has now partnered with Sonalika, a well known manufacturer of tractors, to produce Hydrogen powered jeeps. T. R. Chugh, Chief manager (R&D), Sonalika, says, “We have done all that we could, researched; made the product; and released it. Now the government must provide the infrastructure to support it.” So is India ready to take up the Hydrogen challenge? |
