Sunflowers, the fuel of the future of cars

2002/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Energia

Many believe that the main source of energy of the future will be hydrogen. Unlike other fuels, it is capable of generating electricity without emitting pollutants. However, the process of obtaining hydrogen is not always as clean as you want.

Researchers from the British University of Leeds have developed a process based on sunflower oil. In addition to sunflower oil, only water vapor, air and two catalysts are required. The first catalyst uses air to inflame and, thanks to its heat, reacts oil and steam and forms hydrogen. The second catalyst captures carbon dioxide. In this way, the absence of release of contaminants is guaranteed. In addition, once the process has been developed, the researchers point out that the oil used in the industry can replace sunflower oil.