Text 34301, 51 rader
Skriven 2009-07-06 06:33:04 av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
  Kommentar till text 34288 av Roy Witt (1:397/22)
Ärende: Hydrogen
================
Roy Witt wrote to Robert Bashe on Sunday July 05 2009 at 13:04:

RB>> For one thing, existing hydrogen fueling stations are supplied either
RB>> from a local tank containing liquid hydrogen - something I still find
RB>> unsettling in a built-up area

RW> Let's take this one first. Having a local tank containing not liquid,
RW> but hydrogen gas is as safe as having a propane station in the same
RW> neighborhood.

The local tanks are sometimes filled with liquid hydrogen (according to what I
read), but otherwise are under a pressure *FAR* above that in propane storage
tanks (300-700 bar).

RW> If the tank springs a leak, the gas harmlessly dissapates into the
RW> air. Unless there's a means to ignite it, which is taken care of by
RW> laws that keep propane and now hydrogen containers free from damage.

Except for the fact that hydrogen has a different explosion range than propane,
escapes more easily because of the smaller atomic size, dissipates differently
and also has a different ignition point. Trying to compare the two is not like
apples and oranges, but like grapefruit and currents.

RW> There's no liquid hydrogen storage involved in this program, yet.

The information I found was different, but I'll take your word for that.

RW> When there is, it won't be any more dangerous than storing gasoline,
RW> since they're both stored underground and there are safety precautions
RW> taken for gasoline that will also be used to safeguard liquid
RW> hydrogen.

The trouble is that liquid hydrogen isn't liquid at room temperature and
pressure, and that a leak that wouldn't be significant in a gasoline tank could
easily lead to loss of hydrogen - remember how small the atom is: it diffuses
easily through even the tiniest holes or cracks. The safety precautions taken
for gasoline wouldn't be near adequate in the case of hydrogen tanks, liquid or
pressurized.

RB>> - or by electrolyzing water with solar panels.

RW> Yeup...living in the dark ages alright.

OK, then you tell me what you're thinking of, since this was the alternative
mentioned to tanks of hydrogen on site. If you have some "secret", out with it
or stop the hinting without anything to back it up.

Cheers, Bob

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