this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2023
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We need more of those and everywhere
No we need electrification of the fucking train tracks, the efficiency of hydrogen is absolutely unreasonable, especially for trains.
A part of the network is difficult to electrify and it cost a lot. So H2 still a good alternative.exoerinentation since 2016 show that it is successful. In France there is 1415 km electrified, the small network is representing 15 000 km. You ser the point ?
I see your point but the proportions are wrong. Wiki says that ~15,000 km are electrified out of 29,900 km
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_France
Datas source https://www.sncf.com/fr/innovation-developpement/innovation-recherche/electrification-frugale-decarboner-petites-lignes
okay so it's just counting the small/branch lines not the whole network.
Its a hell of a lot cheaper in the long run.
H2 yes probably
No just electrifying the tracks. Its cheaper in all regards, its a one time investment.
Source ?
Basic economics
Then you'll have to create a hydrogen distribution network. Please remember as you're doing that -The main danger with hydrogen is what is known as BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion). Because hydrogen is gaseous in atmosphere
Storage and transport of H2 is a big deal because of the unique properties (very low transition temp/very high pressure for liquid). That generally means for a non-pressurized, non-cryogenic storage it has to be combined into another molecule and then catalyzed back out, real time, for use. And, of course, the ignition ratio range (4%-75% in air) means that it's very easy to accidentally ignite a H2 leak; substantially easier than most other fuels, though this is mitigated by it's density and ability to disperse in an unenclosed area.
Production is theoretically energy efficient as you can create it with hydrolysis, but the cheapest way of producing it, by far, is cracking of methane, which requires a high temperature process to create. It may not produce a high volume of CO2, but it perpetuates the cycle of exploration and extraction of gaseous hydrocarbons and the related environmental dangers and downsides.
No it's not stored as liquid BLEVE is not a concern here, but there is plenty of issues with explosivity and very high preasures which can be 300-500 bar (~atm) depending on the application.