[Jack Simth]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
I think we are using "safeness" to label different issues here.

Perhaps - but if they are roughly equivalent in safety with regards to inherent explosiveness but gasoline is better in safety with regards to random people using it, then gasoline has hydrogen beat overall on those two aspects of the safety issue, doesn't it?

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
I was not referencing any of that, only the explosiveness and such.

Also keep in mind that when dealing with an automobile engine, if there is a leak in a gaseous hydrogen fuel tank, the hydrogen would diffuse through the atmosphere fairly rapidly. Unless it is in a garage or some such, which could potentially cause problems.

Other factors include the rate of the leak, the distance to possible sources of ignition, and the activity of the air - but essentially, you are correct on that point. Of course, gasoline is usually equally tame.

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Opening the garage door (and possibly setting up a few fans) could clear the hydrogen out in no time. A simple pressure gauge on the fuel tank would be sufficient to set up a warning device to detect leaks.

Warning system necessary -> increased complexity -> harder for the average person to deal with safely -> more dangerous

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:

Automobiles almost never explode in accidents (contrary to what Hollywood would say).

Where did you get the impression that I belive they do often explode

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Automobiles using hydrogen for fuel would not be any more explosive than those using gasoline (mostly because there is a lot less hydrogen necessary to power the car than gasoline, as hydrogen creates more energy when combusted, and so less is needed to get the same energy output). This is what I was talking about when I mentioned safety, not just leaks.

I wasn't just speaking on leaks either - my post also briefly addressed such things as repair costs; I also briefly mentioned controlability.

[ June 02, 2003, 02:14: Message edited by: Jack Simth ]