Washington-based energy solutions company Innovatek Incorporated has begun testing of what it is being called a revolutionary microreactor that has the capability of steadily converting most liquid fuels into hydrogen.
Each microreactor (pictured) weighs less than one pound and can be linked to other units to give the group a higher output of hydrogen fuel. Innovatek says it has developed connected systems that can produce one to 160 gallons of hydrogen per minute -- an accomplishment that may lead to the technology's introduction into the automotive realm.
Within each unit there is a vast array of microchannels that convert, or as Innovatek calls it, reforms energy sources such as gasoline, diesel, vegetable oil, biodiesel, propane, and natural gas into hydrogen.
Although numerous hydrogen-powered cars are in various stages of development from the world's top automakers, the technology is still very young. There are many challenges that need to be overcome before vehicles powered by hydrogen can become viable, such as choosing the best renewable source of energy for the production of hydrogen, the lack of hydrogen refueling stations, and hydrogen's unstable nature.
But Innovatek's microreactor solution may turn out to be the kind of breakthrough that could eventually lead to hydrogen-powered automobiles in your local dealer showroom.
You can keep up with Innovatek's progress in hydrogen power at their website, www.tekkie.com.
Source: gas2.org