Hydrogen - A fuel for the future?
Discussion about the future of automotive transport has centred on electric vehicles. Although these have significant environmental benefits, lithium shortages, limited range and the relatively short lifespan of batteries continue to hamper technological advances for these types of vehicles. The sheer volume of charging infrastructure required, in such a short space of time, means some companies are investigating other options such as hydrogen.
Hydrogen can be used to power vehicles in two different ways: in a hydrogen fuel cell and as a fuel itself.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology was first developed in 1839, so it has already been with us for over one hundred years. Hydrogen fuel cell engines require hydrogen and oxygen to react together in a special cell to produce electricity which can then be used within a battery to power an electric motor.
The first commercially available hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle to appear was the Hyundai Tucson in 2013, followed by the Toyota Mirai two years later. More recently, Stellantis is preparing to enter the hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle market with hydrogen fuel cell versions of its Peugeot e-Expert and Citroen e-Dispatch. Daimler Truck and bp are piloting the development of hydrogen infrastructure and the introduction of hydrogen-powered fuel-cell trucks in the UK.
Already hundreds of filling stations all over Europe are primed to dispense hydrogen for these vehicles. Hydrogen itself can be produced from various domestic resources, including renewable power like solar and wind, as well as natural gas, nuclear power and biomass. It can also combat issues around charging time and range.
38 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.167 FEBRUARY 2022
Mike Bewsey, Chairman, VLS
Just like battery-powered electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have different fluid requirements from internal combustion engines. Specifically designed fluids must cater to the increase in oxidation and the need to dissipate an increase in generated heat around the power units.
Hydrogen can also be used as a fuel itself, mixing with air to produce combustion in a near conventional- type engine. These engines running on hydrogen in a combustion engine will need lubrication in the crankcase to keep them functioning effectively. Pistons and other moving parts will need to be lubricated.
To become operable, hydrogen must be converted from a gas to a liquid which means the engine needs to run at very high pressures. With gasoline or diesel, water is produced as a by-product of the combustion process, and the same applies to hydrogen, only more so!
The water produced as a by-product of the combustion process will mix into the lubricant and reduce its lubrication ability. As a result, there is a real risk of a higher degree of engine wear. Specific lubricants need to be developed to cope with this dilution.
A lubricant that is compatible with increased water concentration in the crankcase should be used to withstand the increased moisture levels and still keep the engine fully lubricated.
The UK government has signalled its intent to consider hydrogen as a worthwhile option by unveiling its Hydrogen strategy in August 2021, saying, “Hydrogen is likely to be fundamental to achieving net zero in transport.” Government funding
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