Hydrogen-Based Fuel System for Eco-Friendly Car Applications
Keywords:
Aluminum-water reaction, Arduino-based control, Eco-friendly vehicles, Hydrogen fuel system, On-demand hydrogen generation, Sustainable mobility, Thermal regulationAbstract
Hydrogen-powered vehicles represent a compelling and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles and conventional Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). This paper presents the design and development of an on-demand chemical hydrogen generation system tailored to low-cost, real-world automotive applications in India. The system utilizes a reaction between aluminum, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and water to produce hydrogen, governed by a microcontroller-based thermal regulation mechanism that dynamically adjusts the reaction rate based on vehicle speed. An Arduino-based embedded control unit integrates sensors (NTC thermistor and IR speed sensor) and a PID loop to maintain optimal temperature profiles. The design also incorporates a modular waste management subsystem for the byproduct, sodium aluminate. Comparative analysis against petrol and electric vehicles demonstrates advantages in refill speed and infrastructure simplicity. The paper analyzes feasibility, limitations, and prospects for scaling. This innovative approach highlights a low-pressure, cartridge-based hydrogen fuel strategy with significant implications for sustainable transport in infrastructure-constrained regions.
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