NIST Set To Test Hydrogen Pipelines

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has started construction on a new laboratory to evaluate tests, materials, mechanical properties and standards for Hydrogen pipelines. The 750 sq ft laboratory, expected to be operational by mid-2008, will sit on the site of a former Hydrogen test facility at the NIST campus in Boulder, Colo.

Since long-term exposure to Hydrogen can embrittle existing pipelines and increase the potential for dangerous failures, researchers will be using hydraulic machines to test mechanical fatigue, residual strength and fracture toughness of various pipeline materials and equipment.

Some of the experiments will involve immersing pipeline materials in pressurized Hydrogen gas contained in steel alloy test chambers. NIST is coordinating its research and safety plans with other national laboratories and industry groups working with Hydrogen. In the future, the focus will expand to new pipeline materials such as composites.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080124094006.htm

Korean Researchers Make Hydrogen From Water Look Easy

Korean researchers at the Korea Institute of Energy Research have successfully developed the processing technology necessary to mass produce Hydrogen from water. The researchers completed the development of the processing technology, which operates at normal temperatures with improved efficiency, to mass produce more than 3/4 of a gallon (3 liters) of Hydrogen from Hydrogen iodide.

This breakthrough is very positive as the least expensive way to produce Hydrogen is to separate Hydrogen from water molecules although the connection between Hydrogen and oxygen is very strong.

The Korean government aims to increase the proportion of Hydrogen used for energy to 0.1% by 2012, 3% by 2020, 7% by 2030 and 15% by 2040. Hydrogen is expected to account for 10% of the energy used in developed countries by 2030.

http://english.etnews.co.kr/news/detail.html?id=200801170002

Cadillac Provoqs The Hydrogen Vehicle Market

General Motors has unveiled its new Cadillac Provoq Hydrogen concept vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV.

The Provoq contains two 10,000-psi Hydrogen tanks that feed a fuel-cell stack to produce up to 88kW of continuous power that charges a lithium-ion battery pack. This power is used to spin both a 70 kW co-axial electric drive system at the front wheels and two 40 kW in-wheel motors at the rear. Fully fueled and charged, the Provoq will run 300 miles and get to sixty miles per hour in a respectable 8.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 100 mph.

The Provoq also comes with several nice options including dual battery charging ports in the left and right front fenders, a roof-mounted solar panel to boost the electric charge, and front grille louvers that close up at highway speeds to improve aerodynamics.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/01/cadillac-unveil.html

Hydrogen To Go

Millenium Cell Inc. and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies have announced that they will be debuting a pre-production version of their HydroPak portable Hydrogen-fueled generator at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The HydroPak will use disposable Hydrogen fuel cells to provide instant power in the place of traditional gasoline and diesel powered generators. The HydroPak has been designed to be lighter and quieter and will run indoors without problems thanks to the lack of harmful emissions. Just like a traditional generator it is able to provide continuous electricity for 14 hours to low-power devices like portable work lights, portable televisions, and communications networks. One Hydrogen fuel cell should provide enough electricity to recharge a laptop eight to ten times.

The generator should cost around $400, with refill Hydrogen packs costing around $20.

http://news.digitaltrends.com/news/story/15314/hydrogen-powered_generator_to_debut_at_ces