NH3 as a real fuel... in an actual car...

[TOM4CWB]

A NH3 powered sports car... in Europe.
The Marangoni Eco Explorer was reviewed in the UK, including this test drive review (PDF) from AutoExpress.co.uk:

By fitting an LPG tank under the boot that allows the GT 86 to be run on compressed ammonia, Marangoni claims to have given it a CO2-free range of 111 miles … The good news is that, despite the additional weight, the Eco Explorer is still just as enjoyable to drive as a standard GT 86, so on track the agile chassis and responsive steering make it great fun. Plus, the engine now revs quicker and sounds much better.

VERDICT: As a speculative look into the future of fuels, the Eco Explorer is an interesting experiment. But it works better as a glimpse of what a more powerful GT 86 could be like. The performance upgrades and those wide tyres haven’t spoiled the superbly balanced chassis, and even though the stiffer ride won’t suit everybody, this is still an utterly fantastic car to drive.

Marangoni’s UK rep Chris Caines describes the driving experience:

http://nh3fuelassociation.org/2013/04/25/ammonia-fuel-marangoni-eco-explorer/

NH3Fuel cells are also fabulous electricity energy supply units.

We could easily supply nh3 to our agtractors/engines in dual fuel configurations... and reduce Carbon emissions by 70 percent... and reducing fuel cost by 40-50 percent.

[biglentil]

Promote ethanol instead Tom we don't need higher NH3 prices.

[tweety]

Don't you think that's the wrong way to look at it? A bigger supply of and more customers of NH3 would bring the cost down - especially to be competitive with hydrocarbons.

[TOM4CWB]

Our Politicians... may really sock it to the Carbon Tax... let the C$ fall hard to increase Manufacturing and Ag income... perhaps we can grow and generate our own N and fuel... the technology is not lacking... so... are we headed to non-carbon based future... Sure looks like this ship is about to sail...

[biglentil]

80 percent ethanol mandate would give us 10 dollar wheat. Get about 3 gals of ethanol per bushel, carbon neutral!

[biglentil]

Did i mention DDG the waste product of the distillation process is more valueable in the feed market than the equivalent tonnage of grain. Plus many of the vehicles on the road are already equiped to run on 85 percent ethanol. Dreaming of changing out the entire infrastructure to run on dangerous pressurized fertilizer doesn't have a snowballs chance in .... Wish they would have showed the massive tank(bomb) in the boot of that car that only provides a short range.

I once toyed with the notion of the compressed air powered car. With the idea of having wind mills connected to high pressure compressors as refuelling stations. Even bought an old 3000 psi air compressor to play with. Got it from a military surplus used to start jets on aircraft carriers during vietnam.

Three problems with the grandiose idea quickly emerged. One energy density of compressed air is very poor. Two aircompressors are horribly inefficient because of the massive amount of waste heat when air is compressed. So are air motors multiply the two together and the results are dismall. Three dangerous if you have ever seen an old air compressor tank shoot right through a wall due to rust you'll understand. Imagine the risks of large 3000 psi tanks...

Ammonia is even more dangerous a leak into the cabin of a car or into a house takes oxygen right out of the air.