Ammonia as low carbon fuel for vehicles?
If you read Autocar last July, they ran a headline that a car developed by a Chinese manufacturer in partnership with Toyota had produced a passenger car with four-cylinder engine fuelled by ammonia, and the article said this fuel "could be a hydrogen alternative".
The article says the manufacturer GAC Motor claims the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 161bhp while emitting 90% less carbon when compared with unleaded petrol.
The story recently resurfaced on another site stating once more that ammonia could be an alternative to Hydrogen to power ICEs, and saying that ammonia has been used used in rocket engines including in the X-15 rocket-powered aircraft.
Does this mean we'll see more ammonia-powered ICE vehicles in the near future?
Probably not.
There are two huge problems.
Ammonia is a corrosive chemical. It can and does attack metals which would make it difficult to store, and tricky designing engines that are proof against its properties.
Probably more important, it's also highly toxic.
In small concentrations it irritates and can burn the skin. I remember getting an Ammonia burn in a chemistry lab years ago. I'd spilled some on my lab coat and whilst I was writing up my notes, I was resting my wrist on the ammonia-soaked sleeve. I had to make a trip to the school medical centre to get treated.
The vapour also attacks the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and if concentrations are high enough, it can cause blindness and lung damage, and ultimately death. In November 2016, one man died after a gas ammonia leak at the Carlsberg factory site, Northampton, England and 20 people were hospitalized. Around 40 years ago, a truck with 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia, lost control and crashed. This caused the tank ruptured and ammonia released. As a result, 6 people died and 178 were injured.
It's also a serious environmental pollutant and said to be the leading cause of fish kills.
That makes it difficult to consider as an alternative fuel given the difficulties of distribution and storage, let alone the use in a filling station!
In any case, it's more valuable as a fertiliser!
=================
ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE?
Why not follow me on Ko-Fi to get updates for every new post?
Or sign up to this Substack newsletter to get a weekly email with all the links delivered direct to your inbox.
Join me twice weekly for news & views from our passion - the world of two wheels. Everything from politics to the latest bike launches.
In Sunday’s show: former champion rider jailed for string of robberies... furniture salesman jailed for theory test frauds... NYPD pound overflowing with seized bikes... just 2% of vehicle thefts result in successful prosecution... jury told impounded bike stolen from police secure pound... Euro 5+ clock runs out for Yamaha's R1... Vmoto Stash ready for spring launch... in-depth today... cheap natural gas encourages Bajaj to promote dual-fuel bike...
Make a brew, grab a biscuit and pull up a chair ready to tune in to keep up with the latest motorcycle news and sometimes controversial views, plus in-depth items on biking generally. Join me, Kevin Williams, twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday at 11am for 30 minutes of topical news, controversial views and better biking tips!
Watch live or catch up later at www.youtube.com/survivalskillsuk
GOT A QUESTION OF YOUR OWN? Let me know and I’ll try to answer it. If you have an awkward question, it’s science that usually has the answer.
ON-ROAD RIDER COACHING - courses aimed the individual
Most of my ON-ROAD training is now on hold to next spring! But I still run TWO-HOUR SESSIONS on nice days to run out and back over a challenging route out of NW London from the North Circular road at Brent Cross - drop me a line if you’re interested.
"Ordinary training? It's EXTRA-ORDINARY TRAINING" - Barbara Alam
ONLINE RIDER COACHING - wherever you are, whenever you want
Get focused sessions looking at a range of riding topics, or pick-your-own for a truly personalised experience. Online coaching - it’s the SMART & FLEXIBLE way to improve your riding.
GET THE WEEKLY DIGEST delivered to your inbox by signing up at
We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
NOW COMPLETE TIPS on TUESDAY / SKILLS on SATURDAY 2024 - INDEX
100 articles for all SUPPORTERS & SUBSCRIBERS - get access on Ko-Fi TODAY!
SoS February 24 The Visibility Clock
FoF Feb 24 Collecting data begins with the right question
Elevenses 410 Wed 21 Feb - motorcycle news, tips & views
ToT Feb 20 Newbie Mistakes #14 Bamboozled by bollards
COMMENT Feb 19 Ammonia as low carbon fuel for vehicles?
Elevenses 409 Sun 18 Feb - motorcycle news, tips & views
A QUICK SHOUT OUT - to last week's KoFi supporters and subscribers - NJ, Damo, Clive, Paul, Reece and anonymous - thanks mightily for your support!
CHECK OUT the 'Science Of Being Seen' website
GET IN TOUCH - I love hearing from you
Questions? Comments? Want me to cover something specific in one of my ONLINE TALK SERIES events? Contact Me via chat