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| Producer: | A.G.O. manufactures (CA) |
Jim Harrington´s mechanical creations have orbited the Sun, but none are more exciting to him than his new project which sits on the muddy sand spit off of Saanichton(Victoria News ). Aboard the sun-beaten, six-metre sloop Jim D lies the future, says the inventor, who has built equipment for NASA.
What´s got Harrington´s heart racing is a hydrogen fuel cell-powered engine. The battery size unit combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce 1,000 watts of energy, the equivalent to more than one horsepower. This energy powers a 2.3- horsepower electric thruster, which runs twice as efficiently as its gasoline-powered counterpart. With two thrusters spinning more than enough propulsion is produced to reach hull speed, around six to eight knots. And the best part about it? A day of trolling costs no more than $30 in hydrogen, the planet´s most plentiful chemical element.
"And the fuel can be made from sunshine," said Ian Soutar, Harrington´s research partner.
Jim D holds the title as Canada´s first hydrogen fuel cell-assisted sailboat and is getting recognition from around the world. Rather than creating an expensive engine for a fuel cell, Harrington approached the project from the opposite end. He made sure the fuel cell could adapt to inexpensive products already on the market. Many of the components of the boat´s operating system can be bought at Canadian Tire.
Although hydrogen fuel cells would not be suitable for all forms of transportation, the cells are perfect for boats, Harrington said. The green machine´s only byproducts are heat and water, both of which can be used aboard. The cell also eliminates the chance of oil spills and fumes seeping from engines.
But the best part is it´s silent, Soutar said with a smile.
Hydrogen fuel can be bought for $30 per 19,000 litres, yet it can also be made in ones backyard, Harrington said. Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis of water using solar or wind power. The project has moved forward on trial-and-error basis, as there is little to no information on matching technology to the energy source. Five students from the University of Victoria are also helping shape the working model.
Harrington is spurred to make hydrogen fuel-driven machines cheaper and efficient for his grandchildren, he said.
With global warming underway its time people starting rethinking their energy sources, Harrington said.
One of the worst things that could happen to small companies developing green products is lower oil prices, Soutar.
For more information on the hydrogen assisted sailboat, please visit www.agoenvironmental.com.
By Rebecca Aldous - Victoria News
raldous@vicnews.com
Suzuki Motor Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the all–new DF300B, which is the latest outboard model to join Suzuki’s existing ‘GEKI’ series of dual-propeller outboards
