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Directory:Hydrogen Peroxide as Fuel

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Hydrogen Peroxide as Fuel

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) has been used as rocket propellant, but can also be used to run automobiles. With how well it stores in liquid form, it is perhaps an under-appreciated mechanism for energy storage and fuel. Could possibly find application as a fuel for jet aircraft engines.

Special thanks to Michael Johnson, who presented an introduction to this concept in an article at H2O Power July 10, 2005.

1 About

About

How it Works

Hydrogen peroxide is a viable, alternative energy storage medium, competing with hydrogen gas, biogas, biodiesel and alcohol. H2O2 is an energy-dense fuel that burns as cleanly as H2, but requires no oxidizer as it is included inside the fuel. Actually, it does not burn, it decomposes, with a release of tremendous energy, close to the energy per mole of H2. It is like water, so it does not need a pressure vessel to contain it. Over about 80% H2O2 (where H2O is the impurity), it is explosive and extreme mechanical shock or heat can set it off. It is "burned" in jets and other devices by catalytic decomposition. You can get 3500 psi steam out of it! Helicopters have flown with rotors containing H2O2 jets on their blade tips - no tail rotors are needed and no central engine. Very cheap and simple propulsion is possible with peroxide.

Advantages

Stable storage.
Relatively easy to produce.
High energy output.
Only emits water vapor and oxygen.
Automobile retrofits would not require much in the way of modifications
Would not require overhaul of existing fuel storage and distribution infrastructure.

Use of H2O2 as a Fuel

Rocket Propellent

In this case, the H2O2 is typically passed over a catalyst, usually a silver mesh. The catalyst causes the oxygen and hydrogen in H2O2 to separate into O2 and H2 which then recombine explosively to form H2O (water).

Monopropellant%20rocket%202.jpg
Source PeroxidePropulsion.com

Hydrogen-rocket-powered car - can accelerate to 450 mph in less than 4 seconds. At 60 bars, the rocket engine will produce 4200 pounds of thrust for 5 seconds.

In the foreseeable future, shaft turbine engines which burn H2O2 and produce zero emissions will be economical and competitive with internal combustion engines. These engines will have both commercial and military applications.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rockets - It can be used as a monopropellant, but as such, it is not very energetic. But fuels can be injected into the decomposed HTP, and at the temperature of the steam and oxygen mix, the fuel readily ignites spontaneously.

Experimental Rocket Propulsion Society

General Kinetics Inc. Hydrogen Peroxide Rocket Engines and Gas Generators

Modified Internal Combustion

Habo No. 1 - Chinese-built prototype runs on H2O2. Only emits water vapor and oxygen. (LiveScience; Oct. 18, 2004)
Internal Rocket Rotary Combustion (IRC/IRRC) Engine - Dual rail H2O2/C12H26 (Peroxide/Kerosine) hybrid IRRC engine that could replace a fuel cell at not 10% the cost. (by Brad Guth / IEIS~GASA; December 14, 2003)
Halfbakery: Hydrogen Peroxide Car Motor

Fuel Cell applications

rusek.peroxide.jpg

Hydrogen peroxide could power future fuel cell (Purdue; January 2000)
Hydrogen peroxide could power future fuel cell - produces electricity through chemical reactions between hydrogen peroxide and aluminum; and generates about 20 times more electricity per pound than car batteries. (San Diego Earth Times; Jan, 2000)