(Replying to PARENT post)

Where did they even come up with the idea to use anhydrous ammonia as a fuel? Did some tired engineer suggest it as a jest at the tail end of an exhausting meeting and, to their horror, it was moved forward? This reminds me of rocket scientists trying out ever nastier and deadlier chemicals in the early days of space exploration.

👤Arrath🕑2y🔼0🗨️0

(Replying to PARENT post)

If you dismiss hydrogen as fuel made from renewable electricity, and frankly you should on density and safety basis, the two most practical options are methane and ammonia.

Ammonia got an easy electrity to fuel process, easier than methane that starts with hydrogen. Ammonia is kinda nasty but used plenty (for example in cooling) without a terrible safety record. Not sure that safety is a better argument against it than the lack of distribution network.

I think ammonia will find its niche in shipping, but I just can't see it on the road.

👤brohee🕑2y🔼0🗨️0

(Replying to PARENT post)

> This reminds me of rocket scientists trying out ever nastier and deadlier chemicals in the early days of space exploration.

An engineer at Toyota must be a big fan of John Clark's "Ignition!", or Derek Lowe's "Things I Won't Work With" series.

👤scrlk🕑2y🔼0🗨️0

(Replying to PARENT post)

It is not exactly a new idea. The first ammonia engine was built in in the early 1800s. There is a lot of history with this fuel, and a lot of history of it being replaced with something better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldsworthy_Gurney (see Other work)

👤FiatLuxDave🕑2y🔼0🗨️0