The hydrogen engine, Toyota. Toyota Mirai with a hydrogen engine

To date, almost all world automakers are actively developing machines that operate on environmentally friendly fuels. Experts say that in 15-20 years the world will completely switch to this type of transport. While the leadership in this matter retains the company "Toyota". After the release of the famous "Primus", the Japanese decided to go further and develop another environmentally friendly car - the Toyota Mirai with a hydrogen engine. In today's article we will consider all the features of this novelty, and also list all the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen machines.

Characteristic

"Toyota Mirai" - this is one of the first sedans of Japanese production, which the company decided to produce on a serial scale. By the way, the decision to call this model Mirai was quite justified, because in translation from Japanese this word means "Clean Future". The manufacturer claims that the first production hydrogen Toyota will differ from its analogues with a large power reserve, which will be 480 kilometers. This is quite enough for both daily operation in the city, and for family travel over long distances. But as for long trips, until you make them on such a car will not succeed. And here the question is not in the reliability of the construction (as always, the Japanese made the car qualitatively and "for ages"), and in the absence of the necessary filling stations. But we'll talk about this a little later.

Interesting fact

It is worth noting that "Mirai" is not the world's first car with a hydrogen engine. Toyota has been developing hybrid car models since 1997. It was then that the world public saw the first car with a hydrogen engine in the form of the concept-off-road car model FCHV. However, the Japanese did not dare launch it into large-scale mass production. Most often this jeep could be found in state institutions and organizations that were engaged in testing this type of transport. By the way, the hydrogen engine combines BMW and Toyota. The Germans signed a contract with Japanese engineers and until 2020 plan to create a new environmentally friendly sedan BMW Hydrogen 7-series.

Pros of the hydrogen car

For a start about the benefits. To begin with, the hydrogen-fueled engine does not emit any contaminants, unlike diesel and gasoline. It should be noted and low cost of operation of this type of transport. Fuel itself (hydrogen) can be obtained both on small and large scale. This will significantly stabilize the situation with constantly changing prices for fuel and more rationally distribute energy resources in the world.

What are the disadvantages of the engine on hydrogen fuel?

Now let's talk about the shortcomings. The main disadvantage of this type of transport is that the hydrogen engine (Toyota FCV) is more explosive than the classic diesel and gasoline analogues. This is due to the special chemical composition of hydrogen. By the way, apart from the explosiveness, it is distinguished by high volatility. This characteristic significantly complicates the transportation and refueling of cars with hydrogen. Also, experts say that maintenance of such an installation will be more costly than, for example, repair of a diesel engine (due to the small number of workers who are knowledgeable in this area). And, of course, the lack of hydrogen filling stations. In the world of such only a few, because now use these cars is very difficult (especially since you can fill this machine only with special equipment).

Supply issues

The main problem of hydrogen cars is the lack of filling stations, on which they could be filled. That's why the world is more interested in electric cars, since they are charged from an ordinary outlet and even on the move, if there is a solar battery on the roof. But the production of hydrogen stations is already gaining momentum. Already aware of the plans to build 20 such gas stations in California. If sales grow, the number of refills will double. By the way, this state was chosen for good - it is in California that the sales starts for hydrogen "Toyot". But we'll talk about sales at the end of the article, but for now let's look at the exterior of the novelty.

Design

The appearance of the new Toyota Mirai is quite impressive. Immediately a massive aggressive "front end" rushes into the eyes with a severe wide bumper and slanted headlights. The radiator grille is, perhaps, the smallest and smallest element in the exterior. But even on such a small piece of plastic, the Japanese managed to place their branded emblem in a chrome-plated style. The machine has a good glazing area. Especially it concerns a windshield. The driver will not feel the "dead zones", since all the events around are now visible as in the palm of your hand. The body has both angular and smoothed aerodynamic features. All this makes the appearance of the sedan very fresh, modern and unique.

Interior

The interior of the car is like a part of a spaceship - a mass of buttons, screens, sensors and all sorts of other stuff. Interestingly, the Japanese did not dare to spend money on the development of two options for interior layout - for the European and for the domestic market. The problem with the rearrangement of the steering wheel, they decided very simply, placing all the important information instruments in the middle of the torpedo. The panel itself is placed close to the windshield and stretched across its width. Further from it is placed a massive on-board computer, which is equipped with a built-in navigator function. Below him there is another display. And they are separated by two wide air ducts. The same are duplicated on the sides of the mirrors, only with a chrome edging in the corner. The steering wheel is also equipped with remote control buttons. Handles of a check point in interior are not present - most likely, the variator or АКПП is used. The speakers are located in the doors, as well as the buttons for controlling the electric windows. The steering wheel has a comfortable grip. In general, the layout of the cabin is very ergonomic. And even despite the mass of buttons (especially since half of them are sensory), it is not overloaded with unnecessary elements and to some extent seems ascetic.

Specifications

"Toyota" has produced a car with a hydrogen engine, which has a large power reserve. The power plant, according to the producers, will have 153 horsepower, which is quite enough for a car of this class. On the other engines, the Japanese do not speak, and most likely, only one modification of the novelty with a 153-strong environmentally friendly unit will come on the market. The hydrogen engine ("Toyota Mirai" 2015 of release) works on special fuel cells. Inside the latter, a reaction takes place, in which hydrogen and oxygen take part. As a result of the chemical interaction, a powerful energy is generated that feeds the electric motor.

Dynamics and costs of operation

The manufacturer says that the dynamic characteristics of Toyota with a hydrogen engine is no different from its gasoline counterparts. Acceleration from zero to "hundreds" is estimated in 9 seconds. At the same time, engineers note the low cost of travel. The price of refilling the tank for 1 kilometer is only 10 cents. Thus, to drive a car a hundred kilometers, you need to spend only 10 dollars. And you can fill up the car in just 5 minutes.

How does the engine work on hydrogen?

Surely each of us thought about the principle of the operation of this unit. Well, let's look at how the hydrogen engine actually works.

The main driving force of these machines is an electrochemical generator (a certain fuel cell). The Japanese call it FC Stack. Inside the electrochemical generator, a reaction occurs, which results in the oxidation of hydrogen. It is during this period that the required energy is generated, which is then redirected to a compact battery. The latter performs the function of supplying the electric motor, which drives the machine. In what form does the hydrogen engine produce waste? "Toyota Mirai" is not in vain called an environmentally friendly car, because of its exhaust pipe does not emit toxic gases, but ordinary water.

All this is very good, but there is a force that prevents the development of this type of transport. The main problem is that the processes of manufacturing fuel for hydrogen cars at the moment are not sufficiently developed and require a lot of money. Moreover, when creating hydrogen, components such as coal and methane are involved. They are very polluting the atmosphere, and therefore there is no sense in using such engines for the sake of "preserving the environment". Of course, there is no waste from the combustion of this fuel (pure water), but to make it, you need to significantly spoil the atmosphere with dirty emissions. Therefore, more and more specialists are looking for a replacement for the current ICE in solar batteries.

By the way, hydrogen does not belong to any unique type of fuel, which can be used only on one type of engine. Studies have shown that this product is quite feasible to use on classic engines with internal combustion. However, after such a reaction, there are consequences. The fact is that hydrogen, when burned in an ICE, gives off only 1/3 of the energy it would produce on a specialized unit. True, the engineers managed to correct this deficiency. Due to the changed ignition system, the efficiency of such engines does not decrease, but, on the contrary, increases by almost 1.5 times from the usual, which makes the exploitation of this fuel more favorable and reasonable from the ecological and financial point of view.

But still troubles were noticed not only in the field of efficiency. And if the efficiency of the engineers was increased by the method of improving the ignition system, then they can not cope with such problems as high combustion temperature in the chamber, burnout of pistons and valves. By the way, with prolonged operation, hydrogen is able to react with other motor components, including lubrication. And without it, the engine wears out very quickly. In addition, hydrogen due to its volatility can penetrate into the exhaust manifold and ignite there. As for rotary internal combustion engines, they are, by virtue of the simple design and large distance between collectors, more favorable for the use of such fuel as the main one. On this question, how the hydrogen engine works, can be considered closed.

About the cost

According to the manufacturer, the start of sales of Toyota Mirai will take place in the spring of 2015. At first the novelty will be available only in the domestic market, and in summer it will appear on the European and American markets. The starting price of the hydrogen "Toyota" is 57.5 thousand dollars. In addition, the company offers to buy this car on credit with a monthly payment of $ 500. The bonus will be the possibility of free refueling the car during the year at the California gas station.

While the Japanese "Toyota" has no competitors among hydrogen cars. At the very least, it will be until 2016. The fact is that in March 2016, a new hydrogen car Honda FCV enters the market. But how popular it will be, we will not predict, but for now we will wait for the start of sales of the new Toyota Mirai.

Conclusion

So, we found out why it is so special and how the hydrogen engine works. Toyota is one of the first automakers to seriously consider launching its "environmentally friendly product" in mass production. However, until the problem with gas stations and a cheaper way of obtaining hydrogen is solved , the company is unlikely to be a big success in the sale of such cars.