For reducing the dependence on fossil fuels, and minimize carbon emissions, worldwide researchers are considering other cleaner fuel sources. Hydrogen could prove to be an attractive alternative source of energy since they are clean, highly efficient, non-toxic, and renewable.
But storing and transporting hydrogen is not easy since it’s an extremely explosive gas. For storing compactly, it requires high pressures, low temperatures, or chemical processes.
However, Japanese car maker Toyota is planning to solve these issues with a new portable hydrogen cartridge prototype.
Hydrogen cartridges
Toyota is playing smart. In place of spending money on building large-scale infrastructure to pump hydrogen gas; the company is planning to ship it.
They plan to fill up small and convenient packages at a dedicated facility. Then transported where required, used, and returned after receiving a new batch.
The cartridges would be about 16 inches (40 cm) long, 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter, and about 11 pounds (5 kg) in weight. Considering their size and lightweight, these cartridges are expected to be easily transportable.
The company says that these are “portable, affordable, and convenient energy that makes it possible to bring hydrogen to where people live, work, and play without the use of pipes.. [and] swappable for easy replacement and quick charging.”
They could be useful for “mobility [i.e. hydrogen cars], household applications, and many future possibilities we have yet to imagine,” Moreover, “one hydrogen cartridge is assumed to generate enough electricity to operate a typical household microwave for approximately 3-4 hours.”
