Internal Combustion Engine future

[stoo23]

Japan is clear that neither Electric, nor hydrogen is the future...
New fuel and engine generation unveiled to the world...in the progressively dynamic automotive industry with cutting-edge technological advancements, issues of environmentalism have presented numerous developments.
While electric vehicles (EVs) have gained some traction, Toyota, in collaboration with China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), has unveiled a groundbreaking alternative: the engine plausibly runs on ammonia using an internal combustion engine.
This development puts into question the concept that battery electric vehicles are the solution to the automotive industry’s supposed "carbon emission problem".
The proposed prototype engine of Toyota and GAC is a radical change in the development of motors mainly driven by fossil fuels.
It is a flammable, environment-friendly fuel that can be obtained by liquidising ammonia (NH3) and possibly mixing other ingredients to form a perpetual fuel blend.

449453931_812659490957741_9115849298661933107_n.jpg (40.45 KiB) Viewed 5929 times

[David R]

According to drive.com.au Toyota and BMW will have hydrogen fuel cell cars on the market in 2025
https://www.drive.com.au/news/hydrogen- ... n-in-2025/

[stoo23]

Yes, very possibly but this is Not a 'Fuel-Cell' device but an ICE

[Garry J]

No carbon in ammonia.

[stoo23]

No carbon in ammonia.

No,.. true but sadly it too would seem to be far from perfect or be the Golden Goose Egg,.. lol

Ammonia is not a ‘low emissions’ fuel without abatement

Whilst ammonia contains no carbon and so will not emit CO2 when burnt, it contains a high proportion of nitrogen that, when combusted, generates nitrogen oxides (i.e. NOx and N2O). N2O has a far greater greenhouse warming potential than CO2 (i.e. up to 298x greater). Thus, without environmental controls in place, the greenhouse gas warming potential of ammonia could be material (n.b. there is very little available information in this area to confirm what the emission level may be).

In addition, NOx emissions from ammonia combustion are expected to be high, which will be problematic given it contributes to ground level ozone formation, respiratory issues and acid rain. Environmental controls such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) can be applied to reduce NOx levels specifically, and indeed are already fitted on many vessels, but the NOx issue and costs of abatement are likely to become more prominent if ammonia is used as a fuel.

Overall, while environmental controls may be able to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of NOx and N2O generation, the labelling of green ammonia as inherently ‘environmentally friendly’ is disingenuous. Producers and consumers will need to ensure strict adherence to emission controls throughout the value chain to minimise environmental impacts.

The above is sadly now more of a problem, due to our somewhat 'flagrant' overuse of Nitrogen based fertilizers.

[Kieran]

I hadn't heard about ammonia as a fuel, but I had read about burning hydrogen in an ICE. Has this idea now been shelved?

[stoo23]

NO, ... in fact there is still quite a bit of work going on in the Hydrogen ICE field.

Probably one of the more advanced, is the UK based JCB organisation, who produce large, construction vehicles, tractors etc.

They have begun making their own 'bespoke' Hydrogen Diesel engines.
See here: https://www.jcb.com/en-au/campaigns/hydrogen

[Garry J]

No information about how they produce the fuel.
It's hard to find any definitive information on the cost of producing hydrogen fuel.
Estimates of cost vary considerably according to extraction methods, but it definitely isn't free.

[stoo23]

Japan has introduced the world’s first biomethane engine, signaling a significant shift from traditional and electric vehicles.
Developed by Toyota, Suzuki, and Nissan, this bioengine uses biomethane derived from agricultural waste, positioning it as a cleaner alternative.
The biomethane-fueled engines, like Suzuki’s WagonR, promise performance comparable to gasoline cars but with significantly lower emissions.
With plans to launch the first biomethane-powered cars by 2026, Japan aims to lead in sustainable fuel technology, challenging the dominance of EVs and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

biomethane engine_n.jpg (53.64 KiB) Viewed 5417 times

[David R]

stoo this news should make you happy about ICE
#
https://www.drive.com.au/news/general-m ... v8-engine/

[stoo23]

OH, thanks for the 'link' David.
I'm not particularly wishing to keep Large capacity big V8's around particularly, in fact I think Auto' manufacturers Should be looking at and seriously working towards alternate Fuels and Small extremely efficient ICE's, instead of everyone going 'Battery Mad' as it were.

As shown above, I am intrigued that the Japanese (and Chinese) are looking at both alternate fuels and ICE's, as they can more easily and cheaply provide lighter, more efficient cars of far lower cost that the current 'crop' of EV vehicles can.

Current battery tech' isn't very 'Green', on many levels.
We need to do better !!