Apr 12 2008

Ingenuity? No Engineuity. Posted by Angela Baker in magnesium, hydrogen, Engineuity, aluminum

In light of rising fuel costs, more research resources and creativity are being used in order to try to find transportation methods that stay away from traditional use of petroleum.  In Israel it is no different.  In fact, Israel may have outshined every one with the new vehicle they have called Engineuity.

Engineuity is nothing less than ingenious - hence the name.  Through the use of common metals they have been able to produce hydrogen.  The metals they are using to do this are aluminum and magnesium. According to Israeli scientists, the system that they are utilizing will basically cost the same as your run-of-the-mill cars when it comes to operating costs.  The difference is, however, these vehicles will be completely free of emissions.

 

The magnesium and aluminum that they use for this process come in a long coil.  Rather than have a gas tank, a "Metal-Steam combustor" will separate the hydrogen out of water that is heated up.  "The tip of the metal coil is inserted into the Metal-Steam combustor together with water, where it will be heated to very high temperatures.  The metal atoms will bond to the oxygen from the water, creating metal oxide.  Consequently, the hydrogen molecules become free, and will be sent into the engine along side the steam.  The solid waste product of the process, in the form of metal oxide, will later be collected in the fuel station and recycled for further use by the metal industry."

Due to the difference in operation, the process of refueling will obviously be different.  Although seemingly easy, it is a humorous site to envision.  Rather than inserting the gas nozzle into the gas tank as we are normally accustomed to do, the used metal oxide will be removed from the car using vacuum suction.

The use of hydrogen for cars is not a new invention.  What is new, however, is the Israeli's improvements the steam is used within the vehicle.  The process that they use makes these cars comparable to conventional cars. 

Dependent on whether Israelis find proper investment, they could develop a trial model within three years.  According to the scientists, only minor alterations will be needed to regular cars in order to create Engineuity.  Despite this, the creators are only looking to install the hydrogen system into new cars rather than provide an upgrade to older models.

It would seem that Engineuity has much to offer the automobile industry, as well as to consumers and the environment.  In regards to the automobile industry, additional sales are likely to transpire, resulting in more money for them.  In regards to consumers, an easier system awaits - not to mention the never ending supply of "fuel."  The environment also reaps much benefit from the system.  With no emissions coming from a vehicle, the environmental pollution drastically decreases.