How is hydrogen stored in a Toyota Mirai?
The Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, stores its hydrogen fuel in a unique way. Unlike traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles, the Mirai uses compressed hydrogen gas to power its fuel cell and generate electricity to drive the electric motor.
Hydrogen Storage in the Toyota Mirai
The Toyota Mirai stores its hydrogen fuel in two high-pressure hydrogen tanks located under the rear seats and in the trunk area. These tanks are made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and are designed to withstand extremely high pressures of up to 70 MPa (10,000 psi).
The hydrogen tanks are filled with the compressed hydrogen gas at a dedicated hydrogen fueling station. When the driver refuels the Mirai, the hydrogen is pumped into the tanks, where it is stored at high pressure until it is needed to power the fuel cell.
How the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works
Once the hydrogen is stored in the tanks, it is fed into the Mirai's fuel cell stack. Inside the fuel cell, the hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, which then powers the electric motor and drives the wheels. The only byproduct of this process is water, making the Mirai a zero-emission vehicle.
The Mirai's hydrogen storage system allows the vehicle to have a driving range of up to 312 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, comparable to a traditional gasoline-powered car. This makes the Mirai a practical and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
What are the disadvantages of the Toyota Mirai?
Disappointing Cargo Capacity. The Toyota Mirai needs more cargo and personal item storage, which could be a significant downside for those who need ample space. The trunk offers a limited capacity of just 9.6 cubic feet, which is relatively small for a car of its size.
Is hydrogen cheaper then gasoline?
Fueling Costs
While the current price of hydrogen is higher than gasoline, fuel cells are approximately 2.5 times more efficient than gasoline engines. An added bonus is that most fuel cell car manufacturers include three years' worth of free fuel with a vehicle.
Why is hydrogen not a good fuel?
Reason: It is highly inflammable in nature. An ideal fuel is cheap, readily available, easily combustible and easy to transport. It has high calorific value. It does not produce gases or residues that pollute the environment.
Why is hydrogen storage a problem?
High density hydrogen storage is a challenge for stationary and portable applications and remains a significant challenge for transportation applications. Presently available storage options typically require large-volume systems that store hydrogen in gaseous form.
Can you put regular gas in a Toyota Mirai?
The Mirai is a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle that must be fueled at hydrogen stations conforming to the latest Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) hydrogen fueling interface protocol standards or laws that may supersede such SAE standards.
How is hydrogen stored in a hydrogen fuel cell?
Hydrogen storage. Hydrogen can be stored physically as either a gas or liquid. It typically requires high-pressure tanks (350-700 bar tank pressure). Another possibility is the chemical storage of hydrogen, whereby it is stored on the surface of solids (by adsorption) or within solids (by absorption).
How is hydrogen stored in Toyota Mirai?
The hydrogen that powers the Mirai is stored at a high pressure of 700 bar in two compact, lightweight tanks. We have been working on their design in-house since 2000 and are more than satisfied with their strength and safety levels. Their main source of strength originates from the carbon fibre shell.
How much does it cost to fill a Toyota Mirai with hydrogen?
Free hydrogen fuel is valid for five years. Afterward, owners will face out-of-pocket costs of approximately $175 per fill-up.
How long does a tank of hydrogen last on a Toyota Mirai?
The system accelerates Mirai from 0 to 97 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 9.0 seconds and delivers a passing time of 3 seconds from 40 to 64 km/h (25 to 40 mph). The Mirai refueling takes between 3 and 5 minutes, and Toyota expected a total range of 480 km (300 miles) on a full tank.
What are the disadvantages of hydrogen storage?
The disadvantages are low energy efficiency and high cost. Given their high volumetric efficiency, metal hydrides and carbon nanotubes are promising hydrogen storage technologies. They look set to play a vital role in future energy development.
