Toyota Demonstrates Possibilities For Liquid Hydrogen Power

Toyota has recently demonstrated a concept model that explores how hydrogen gas, which is generated while driving, can be used to potentially increase the efficiency of liquid hydrogen as fuel.

By capturing vaporised hydrogen, known as “boil-off gas,” which is typically lost to the atmosphere, this new technology could improve energy efficiency making it a viable solution as a fuel source.

The potential shown has led Toyota to seek collaborators to further develop and refine this concept.

Motorsport

Toyota introduced the concept during the final round of the 2024 ENEOS Super Taikyu race series in Japan. A GR Corolla was equipped with liquid hydrogen technology and took part in the event. As Toyota has a big involvement in motorsport, it makes sense that they use races like this to test various ideas, all of which are aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.

Challenges of Liquid Hydrogen

Liquid hydrogen has a higher density compared to gaseous hydrogen. An advantage of this is that you can store more of it in a tank of the same size. However, a downside is that “boil-off” occurs. This is where the vapourised hydrogen evaporates out into the atmosphere without being used to power the car which then cancels out some of the benefits of being able to store more hydrogen in the tank in the first place. In very basic terms, boil-off gas is released without being used, resulting in a potential loss of energy.

Turning Boil-Off Gas Into Energy

Toyota’s new system involves capturing boil-off gas and converting it into usable hydrogen fuel. The process uses a self-pressuriser that uses the gas’s own pressure to amplify it by two to four times. This eliminates the need for external energy, such as electricity, to pressurise the hydrogen, making the process more sustainable and efficient.

Generating Electricity From Boil-Off Gas

The surplus boil-off gas from this pressurisation process is redirected to a small Toyota fuel cell stack. Through a chemical reaction, the stack generates electricity, which can power components like the liquid hydrogen pump. This approach can potentially supplement or even replace the alternator’s role, further improving overall energy efficiency.

Safety Considerations

Toyota ensures that any remaining boil-off gas not used in energy generation is safely converted to water vapour via a catalytic process and then released from the vehicle, prioritising both efficiency and safety.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for liquid hydrogen.

H&H Classics’ Final Auction of 2024 in Buxton

Our friends at H&H Classics have had a very successful 2024 so far and I’m sure that will continue as they host their final auction of the year – the Winter Classic Car Sale, at Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens on Wednesday, November 27th.

Rare and Desirable Cars

The auction will feature 135 lots including some single-owner and very rare vehicles. One of these is a 1975 Iso Lele Sport which is estimated to sell for between £35,000–£45,000. It is one of just 12 right-hand-drive versions ever made and could be considered a credible competitor to the Aston Martin DBS and Ferrari 365GT 2+2.

Another special car is a 1936 MG SA Tickford Drophead Coupe which has been owned by a single family since new. Estimated to sell for £30,000–£40,000, it comes with an original sales invoice and a history file detailing its past restoration work.

Another interesting car going up for sale is a 1972 BMW 3.0 CS. This one has been in the same family for the last 40 years and has been fully restored. It also comes with its original green logbook and service book. The estimated sale price is £45,000–£55,000.

If you’re a Mercedes fan, then a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is probably of interest. This is one of the most valuable lots, with an estimated price of £70,000–£90,000. Other special cars include a 1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Coupe, one of 1,583 right-hand drive models (£60,000–£70,000), a 2002 BMW Z3 250 California Spyder Evocation (£60,000–£70,000), and a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL (£60,000–£80,000).

Auction Information

You can view all lots at Pavilion Gardens from midday on Tuesday, November 26th, and from 9am on Wednesday, November 27th. The auction itself begins at 1pm and bids can be placed in person, online, via telephone, or by submitting a commission bid.

Full details – www.handh.co.uk.