R & d – Suzuki Burgman FC reopens debate on hydrogen engine – Used SUZUKI

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Suzuki Burgman FC reignites debate on hydrogen engine

R & amp; D - Suzuki Burgman FC rekindles debate on hydrogen engine - Used SUZUKI

Convinced of the energy and ecological virtues of hydrogen propulsion, Suzuki will present a Burgman FC at the Tokyo Motor Show using the technology of the Crosscage concept. However, this engine still faces some pitfalls…

The first motorcycle manufacturer to have adapted a fuel cell powered by a hydrogen tank on the Crosscage in 2007 (read), Suzuki is actively pursuing its research on this propulsion which only releases water and is even preparing to present at the show from Tokyo 2009 a Burgman scooter Fuel Cell.

An initiative still limited but which remains to be welcomed, because despite the limits of fossil fuel engines, it is clear that credible alternative proposals are not yet jostling at the gate..

Electric cars and motorcycles are making notable progress here and there, but their limited autonomy and the treatment of used batteries still prevent their development on a large scale..

As for ethanol (from 5 to 85% with a kit Flex Fuel), it also arouses controversy and is content to postpone the inevitable drying up of oil reserves (read)…

"Liquid hydrogen, light, compact and structurally simple, is cooled by air", recalls Suzuki:"a 70 MPa hydrogen tank (the highest pressure used on a motorcycle so far) allows an acceptable range", promises the manufacturer … without however specifying its concept of" acceptable ", or even a possible period of marketing !

"This vehicle is a prototype and in no case a salable product in the very short term", confirms Suzuki France. However, the project would not be one"fad"Japanese engineers:"some vehicles are already running with this system, especially in California and Germany", assures us Suzuki.

Hydrogen: yes, but when ?

While it is true that some car manufacturers are "content" with directly burning hydrogen in conventional engines (BMW, Ford or Mazda), processes that directly transform hydrogen into electricity via fuel cells exist among others. Mercedes, Toyota, Nissan … and Suzuki for bikers !

According to most specialists, however, the fuel cell would not be competitive before 2015, or even 2020 … which makes the arrival of the Crosscage and Burgman FC even more distant in Suzuki dealerships..

Some unanswered questions…

Almost inexhaustible since each water molecule (H2O) contains two atoms, respectful of the environment and particularly energetic (1 kg of hydrogen releases three times more energy than a kilo of gasoline), hydrogen offers many advantages in the face of the announced shortage of fossil fuels.

But before it dislodges unleaded and diesel, progress must be made at every stage of the chain: production, transport, storage and use..

Because although it is the most abundant element on the planet – it is also found in hydrocarbons and biomass – hydrogen is practically non-existent in nature in its pure state..

Hydrogen

Hydrogen was an essential fuel at the end of the 19th century. Used in lamps for lighting and in town gas (mixed with carbon monoxide), hydrogen has ironically given way to natural gas and petroleum, resources that are easier to exploit and above all less expensive. . Difficult to transport and store, easily flammable – the explosion of the German airship Hindenburg in 1937 remains engraved in our memories – hydrogen is nonetheless a non-toxic gas whose combustion is very energetic. Thanks to advances in science, it is now possible to connect it to a fuel cell (PAC), in order to produce electricity as the only residue … water !

It is therefore currently produced by reforming in the case of hydrocarbons (a chemical reaction which releases hydrogen under the action of heat but rejects … CO2) or by extraction of atoms in water molecules by electrolysis or thermochemical cycles.

So many complex techniques that require a lot of electricity … currently produced with fossil energy or nuclear energy !

Latest method discovered: the production of hydrogen from biomass (wood, straw, pruning, etc.) is attracting all the favors … but remains for the moment confined to laboratory research.

In short, although hydrogen has many qualities, its daily use as fuel is not yet up to date: its production still requires a lot of energy, is too expensive and its current manufacturing processes are not exempt from polluting discharges. Not to mention the problems related to its transport, storage and distribution.

But thanks to research by manufacturers, and in particular Suzuki, the obstacles linked to propulsion by hydrogen connected to a fuel cell will be gradually overcome..

In addition, when the process and its use are operational and profitable, Suzuki should have a significant head start over its rivals … not insignificant in terms of economic benefits. !

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