WUSSERSTOFFALS ALTERNATIVKRAFTSTOFF FUER OTTOMOTOREN. VARBERICHT AUS DER MERCEDES-BENZ-ENTWICKLUNGSARBEIT.
Hydrogen occupies a leading position among alternative fuels for motor vehicles, because hydrogen may be produced from water by means of coal or nuclear energy and is thus independent of oil supplies, because the resources of water are unlimited, because combustion of hydrogen with air produces only water and because hydrogen and gasoline may be mixed in the engine in any proportions. Two problems have not been solved completely, namely the production and distribution of hydrogen, and its storage in the vehicle. The technological solution of the storage problem especially requires extensive research. Storage in metal alloys in the form of metallic hydrides is considered the most promising approach. The main use of hydrogen vehicles would be city centre and short haul traffic as an alternative to electric cars. Daimler-benz have already constructed and tested an experimental hydrogen powered vehicle. Test runs showed the good performance of the engine with the hydride store. Hydrogen is fed into the inlet manifold through a converter and carburettor. The power output of the engine so far achieved is 44 kw (60 hp) at 4800 rpm. The hydrogen reservoir consists of a 65 litre tank filled with tife capable of storing 50000 litres of hydrogen. This gives the vehicle a useful range of 100 to 120 km.