Toyota's Innovative Concept to Harness Hydrogen for Improved Energy Efficiency
Key Ideas
- Toyota has developed a concept model to utilize hydrogen generated while driving to increase the efficiency of liquid hydrogen as an engine fuel.
- The concept involves converting boil-off gas, traditionally released into the atmosphere, back into hydrogen fuel for the engine, improving energy efficiency.
- A self-pressurizer device, powered by the boil-off gas itself, increases pressure by two to four times without requiring additional energy, allowing for fuel production.
- Surplus boil-off gas is either converted into electricity through a Toyota fuel cell stack to power components like the liquid hydrogen pump or safely released as water vapor.
Toyota has unveiled an innovative concept model that explores harnessing hydrogen generated while driving to enhance the efficiency of liquid hydrogen as an engine fuel. Liquid hydrogen's higher density poses challenges like 'boil-off,' where the fuel evaporates due to external heat. This model suggests a solution by converting the boil-off gas back into hydrogen fuel, potentially revolutionizing energy efficiency. The self-pressurizer device, running on the boil-off gas, increases pressure without external energy, facilitating fuel production. Moreover, surplus gas is either turned into electricity using a fuel cell stack or released as water vapor. Toyota is seeking partners to further develop this technology. The concept was displayed at the 2024 ENEOS Super Taikyu race series in Japan, demonstrating Toyota's commitment to carbon neutrality through innovation and collaboration in the realm of motorsports.