The 10% blend will allow the same internal combustion CNG engine to work without any changes, thus reducing the otherwise prohibitive technological cost. Research has shown that the blend not only improves the thermal efficiency of the fuel, it has another benefit: It reduces pollutant NOX (oxides of nitrogen) by 30-40%, a major concern with CNG vehicles.

“Delhi has an advantage over other cities. It has the largest fleet of CNG vehicles which are already working with an internal combustion engine. No major modifications are required for the 10% blend and the hydrogen too can be stored in the same CNG cylinder,’’ said R K Malhotra, general manager, (R&D) for IOC. “We have to decide whether we want hydrogen and whether the cost is worth the benefit,” said Kirit Parekh, member, Planning Commission, speaking at a CII meet on alternate fuels today. He has reason for concern. For, HCNG is a small step — the goal being fuel cells which allow hydrogen to be used in pure form. As of now, the cost of these cells makes a car four times more expensive than one running on petrol.

There are two major concerns — linked to cost — which scientists are grappling with. How will it be produced and which is the best way of storing it?

If it cannot be produced from a renewable source like water of biowaste, it does not solve the basic problem — that of dependence on hydrocarbons. In India, hydrogen is generated as a by-product in many industries like fertiliser and chlor-alkali plants.

... contd.