Comments on: Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel for Automobiles

By: Kenneth Neil

Kenneth Neil — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:54:33 +0000

Hydrogen Peroxide as a fuel must be used in its most efficient configuration, that is using the steam component. The idea of using steam as the direct power for a passenger vehicle is inefficient. Catalyzing H2O2 is best achieved as a continuous process, which in turn yields itself to turbine use. Turbines are best utilized in constant rpm applications such as powering electric generation. A hybrid of a H2O2 turbine powered generator and an electric car would achieve high efficiencies. Drawbacks would be fuel degradation over time, corrosive effects(of fuel and oxygen byproduct) and the production of the primary greenhouse gas, water vapor. Big positives would be production of pure water from captured steam, oxygen byproduct and a reliable heat source. I got this idea when I was in fourth grade living near Cape Kennedy. It appears that one thing rocket scientists don’t know is rocket science.

By: Roger Haselton

Roger Haselton — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 07:04:32 +0000

Thank you for the information. Have hydrogen peroxide will travel.what ever.

By: carp

carp — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 07:15:38 +0000

Make the batteries, that recharge them selves and use electric dc motors.. The batteries recharge themselves and are in a sires,… solenoids switch back and forth for optimum efficiency.

By: Karl Nowak

Karl Nowak — Sat, 22 May 2010 23:18:02 +0000

First of all thanks for a great article and for your good effort.
There is much valuable info in this column about hydrogen peroxide as a monopropellant. Secondly hydrogen peroxide is a liquid at room temperature which is gold worth news in alternative energy research.
But the sheer energy density of this interesting liquid is approximately 10 times less then gasoline’s. The energy density of hydrogen peroxide is also inferior of different types
of alcohols, secondary derivates and methanol.
Hydrogen peroxide can also quickly decompose with some frightening speed which makes higher concentrations then
70 percent a viable hazard. But that’s not my main concern. The combustion engine which is fundamental in every type of auto motor industry needs a fuel which is easily combustible. Hence the use of different types of carbohydrates which fits nicely to the task.
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t combustible it doesn’t burn – it’s only decomposes. A liquid pillar of some 10 millimeters can produce a rise of a gaseous pillar of 210 centimeters – and that’s awesome, but the combustion / decomposition process must be almost instantaneous in order to be useful in a combustion engine. Unfortunately that’s not the case with hydrogen peroxide where you need several precious seconds until the desired reaction sets in. Of course you can use a small turbine or even a new type of steam engine, but the energy ratio won’t be near off a combustion engine and you end up with a brilliant but ultimately uneconomical propulsion system.
Sadly so.

By: Alireza

Alireza — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:29:48 +0000

H2o2+ catalyst for monopropellant thruster