Thoughts on using on-board equipment for the cyclic production of hydrogen from sodium hydroxide and water to address the bottlenecks in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

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I. Introduction At first glance at this title, one might think that the author is insane – how can sodium hydroxide be used together with water as raw materials to produce hydrogen? Those who have attended junior high school know that only when metallic sodium is placed in water does it react rapidly to produce hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide solution, along with flames. This is because the reaction is exothermic, and sodium is lighter than water; therefore, the sodium added floats on the surface of the water. The heat generated during the reaction is sufficient to cause hydrogen to burn in the presence of oxygen, producing a flame. My inspiration came from this very idea: using electrolysis with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium, and then having that sodium react with water to produce hydrogen. Isn’t that feasible? We just need to give careful thought to how to carry out the reaction in an oxygen-free environment and how to absorb the generated heat in a timely manner, so that we can safely obtain hydrogen. On May 23, 2019, **Nanyang Daily**, the official newspaper of the Nanyang Municipal Party Committee, published a report on its front page stating that a \"water-hydrogen engine\" had been produced locally. The article said that hydrogen can be generated in real time from water used in vehicles, allowing them to operate simply by adding water to them. ”The article sparked widespread skepticism after it was published. Several industry experts say that converting water into hydrogen simply, or using some mysterious catalyst to do so, violates the law of conservation of energy. In light of the various discussions in the media, I have delved deep into thought: why can’t we turn the “Nanyang water-hydrogen vehicle” from something impossible into a reality? To achieve this goal, two key issues must be resolved: one is how to obtain hydrogen at low cost? The second is how to use hydrogen safely? The first of these questions is the key to everything. In the reaction between sodium and water, no external energy or catalyst is required; simply sodium and water are enough. What other substance can react with water so quickly? If it’s possible to obtain hydrogen under safe conditions by controlling the reaction between water and sodium, wouldn’t this be a typical water-hydrogen vehicle that can run simply by adding water? One even thinks that if the use of sodium and water to produce hydrogen for civilian purposes, just as natural gas does in households, becomes widespread, it would make a significant contribution to global carbon reduction. Moreover, the alkaline water produced is used for cleaning tableware, so there is no need to purchase cleaning chemicals anymore – what a great benefit this is for the environment! At this moment, I remembered a statement by Mr. Jack Ma: when what you are doing is considered feasible by most people, you should consider whether it can still be done, because since most people already know about it, it’s worth reflecting on whether it still has any vitality. When most people don’t approve of what you’re doing, but you still have confidence in it, it’s worth doing. Once you succeed, it becomes a major breakthrough. II. How to use hydrogen energy produced from sodium hydroxide and water safely: The process of producing hydrogen using sodium hydroxide and water essentially involves generating hydrogen from sodium and water. Both sodium and hydrogen are hazardous chemicals that are subject to strict control and regulation. The primary concern when using sodium and water to produce hydrogen is safety. There are already many safety risks associated with the use of bottled hydrogen, and introducing the practice of producing hydrogen from sodium and water would also present safety issues. It is necessary to carefully consider how to prevent such risks. (1) Safety issues related to the equipment used: 1. The production of hydrogen energy using sodium hydroxide and water involves a reaction between sodium and water. Both the metallic sodium and hydrogen gas are flammable and hazardous materials. The equipment used must be reinforced and protected, just like an airplane’s black box, to ensure that these components are not severely damaged in the event of any accident. Even if the vehicle falls into water, no water will penetrate and react with the large amount of sodium present. 2. Precise control of hydrogen pressure, the advancement amount of the sodium wire, and the water supply is essential for ensuring the stable operation of hydrogen energy equipment; therefore, intelligent control is necessary. 3. In devices that use hydrogen directly as an energy source, the combustion temperature of hydrogen is higher than that of fossil fuels, which imposes stricter requirements on the materials used in such devices; strict standards must be applied to the materials employed in these devices. 4. Establish a comprehensive self-locking system; in the event of any accidents during operation, it should be able to automatically lock the reaction tank and the mechanism used to move sodium metal, thereby ensuring that sodium is separated from any substances that could react with it. 5. For hydrogen generators, sodium thrusters, and their corresponding components, age limits must be set just like for aircraft parts, and they must be replaced once that limit is reached. (II) Issues related to public safety in society: Sodium is a **controlled hazardous chemical. If the use of sodium and water to produce hydrogen were to become common in households, it would be equivalent to having bombs everywhere, which represents a serious issue for public safety. However, obtaining hydrogen energy using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials represents a renewable and clean energy source with immediate benefits. For a country like ours that is a major energy consumer and highly dependent on the international energy market, making good use of this resource can help transform our energy strategy, reduce dependence on the international oil market, and enable us to take greater control over our own energy affairs. As long as it’s technically and cost-wise feasible, giving it up would be like holding a golden bowl while begging for food. When there is a conflict between new energy and social safety, resolving this conflict requires the same courage that was needed to build nuclear power plants in the first place. To this end, I put forward the following views of my own: 1. A shift in mindset. The use of hydrogen energy can transform humanity’s energy structure and ecological environment; therefore, everyone must cherish and protect it, so that its utilization becomes closely linked to everyone’s life. To this end, a new moral code and social order must be established, making the safe and rational use of hydrogen energy a shared consensus throughout society. Just as a kitchen knife can be used to harm someone, but that doesn’t mean kitchen knives should be banned, right? Cars can hit people, but that doesn’t mean we should ban their use, right? Things with two sides can enable healthy development and progress in society as long as people are guided to use them in a positive way and negative behaviors are prevented. 2. Management reforms. Safety issues are, in essence, management issues; as long as the management measures are in place, safety issues can be properly addressed. If the use of the reaction between sodium and water to produce hydrogen can be put into practice, it would represent something new. For any new innovation to gain acceptance, a process is required; this process demands not only an increase in people’s awareness but also the improvement or updating of relevant policies as a result of the emergence of such innovations. Although producing hydrogen through the reaction of sodium with water is the best shortcut to popularizing hydrogen energy, it has its advantages as well as disadvantages; one should not give up the advantages just because of the disadvantages. Therefore, for this idea to benefit society, it is first necessary to create conditions in terms of **safety management; otherwise, one can only continue to beg even while holding a golden bowl. 3. Legal soundness. The current **departments have relatively comprehensive laws and regulations regarding hazardous chemicals that pose a threat to social safety. Therefore, the use of sodium and water to produce hydrogen can also be brought under legal regulation. Those who use such equipment in an improper manner should be subject to criminal penalties, so as to encourage users to comply with safety standards; otherwise, they will face legal consequences, preventing them from breaking the law. 4. Technical improvements. We have now entered the 5G era; technically speaking, it should be no problem to monitor the activation status of each sodium storage tank. Each reactor’s sodium storage tank inlet is equipped with an electronic door that can only be opened by personnel authorized to handle sodium. Everyone who is involved in production or use holds a registered permit; only those with such permits are allowed to handle and use these hydrogen generators. Used reactors can be refilled only at specialized sodium supply stations, and this is feasible. Establish a social public safety network so that in the event of any abnormal situations, such as a car being stolen or an accident occurring, information can be immediately transmitted to the social public safety monitoring network. It serves to alert relevant authorities and prevent any malicious human actions from occurring. 5. Protection on the equipment. Although sodium is a hazardous substance, it is safe as long as it does not come into contact with water or other substances that can cause reactions. Therefore, as long as sodium is kept from coming into contact with these substances, it can be used safely. This requires implementing comprehensive measures throughout the production process, storage conditions, and equipment used, thereby providing a foundation of safety for the widespread use of sodium. III. Current bottlenecks facing hydrogen energy vehicles
Hydrogen energy has its unique advantages; this is universally recognized and admired worldwide. From any perspective, it offers advantages for sustainable development. Hydrogen engine vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles represent an emerging industry around the world. It goes without saying that using hydrogen energy can prevent the emission of harmful gases, reduce environmental pollution, and stop the deterioration of the ecological environment. However, at the current stage, the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles presents various drawbacks in areas such as hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and filling. These drawbacks are mainly manifested in the following aspects: 1. The bottleneck in hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is the lightest gas, and the hydrogen currently in use is stored in tanks. To store more hydrogen, it is not possible to make these tanks extremely large; therefore, the only solution is to increase the pressure at which hydrogen is stored. This increases the difficulty and cost of manufacturing such tanks, as well as their risk level. 2. The bottleneck at hydrogen refueling stations is that the amount of hydrogen stored in the tanks is limited; once it’s used up, it can’t be discarded like a mineral water bottle and replaced with a new tank filled with hydrogen. Well-located hydrogen refueling stations are essential, but they cannot be built anywhere; especially in densely populated cities, there are significant limitations, and the investment required is enormous. 3. The bottleneck in range: How far a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can travel depends on the duration of hydrogen supply. The capacity of hydrogen storage tanks is limited, which affects the range of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. 4. The safety bottleneck: whether it is high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks or high-pressure hydrogen filling stations, they are like bombs lying quietly; in the event of an accident, the consequences would be unimaginable. 5. The bottleneck in hydrogen prices: currently, the costs associated with hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and utilization remain high, and there is little room for cost reduction. This affects the promotion of hydrogen-powered vehicles and hinders their widespread adoption. These bottleneck issues have existed since the advent of hydrogen-powered vehicles and have not been fundamentally resolved for a long time. IV. How to safely produce hydrogen through the reaction of metallic sodium with water. Just like in nuclear energy, the reaction of sodium with water to produce hydrogen is like a wild horse; only after it is tamed can it be put to use. The reaction of sodium with water to produce hydrogen is the simplest and fastest method. However, since this reaction is a highly exothermic one, the heat released can cause the hydrogen to burn and explode in the presence of oxygen, which gives people a sense of fear. People might ask, isn’t it very unsafe to use sodium in this way with water? I’d like to ask everyone in return: isn’t natural gas also flammable and explosive? Aren’t there the same security issues? Hasn’t it ended up in thousands of households? Aren’t cars still driven on natural gas these days? Therefore, to produce hydrogen by reacting metallic sodium with water, it is first necessary to overcome fear; secondly, it depends on whether we can find ways to control the reaction between sodium and water, as well as on how to ensure safety when dealing with dozens of kilograms of sodium on a vehicle. To safely produce hydrogen by reacting metallic sodium with water, three approaches can be used: 1. Since sodium is lighter than water, it should not be placed on the surface of the water; instead, it can be placed at the bottom of the water where it can react with the water. The hydrogen gas produced then rises from the bottom of the water, thereby preventing the sodium from reacting with water in an environment containing oxygen. Meanwhile, the sodium required for the reaction is supplied in a limited but continuous manner, which can effectively control the intensity of the reaction. 2. Since the reaction between sodium and water is exothermic, it is necessary to control the temperature during this reaction; the most effective way to do this is by removing the heat generated and making use of it. Since water is present all around and serves as an excellent coolant, it can absorb the heat generated by the reaction in the sodium hydroxide solution. If equilibrium cannot still be achieved, the sodium hydroxide solution can be drawn out of the reaction tank and circulated through a radiator; the air flow generated by a car moving at high speed is an ideal medium for such circulating cooling. 3. In addition to producing hydrogen, the reaction between sodium and water also generates a useful liquid substance called sodium hydroxide. By controlling the amount of water supplied to the reaction, it is possible to keep the sodium hydroxide solution saturated at the desired reaction temperature; this saturated solution can then be collected for reuse. Meanwhile, the collected sodium hydroxide solution can be used as a coolant to remove heat from the reactor. V. How to obtain low-cost metallic sodium: If the safety issues associated with using metallic sodium in the reaction with water to produce hydrogen are resolved, people might ask again whether metallic sodium, being a precious metal, doesn’t come with high usage costs For now, metallic sodium available on the market is considered a precious metal. The cost of the hydrogen produced by reacting one kilogram of sodium with water may be unacceptably high compared to the cost of using gasoline. But both water and sodium are inexhaustible; the vast oceans are the greatest treasure troves. So, what is the cost of producing sodium using sodium hydroxide as a raw material? Let’s first look at the reaction between sodium and water: 2Na + 2H2O = 2NaOH + H2↑ + Q. From this equation, it’s easy to calculate that when 23 kilograms of sodium react with water, approximately 1 kilogram of hydrogen and 40 kilograms of sodium hydroxide are produced. A 50% sodium hydroxide solution can be obtained by diluting with 40 kilograms of water. The British company Riversimple has developed a hydrogen-powered vehicle; this car, named Rasa, can travel 300 miles (about 482 kilometers) using 1.5 kilograms of hydrogen. Approximately 321 kilometers can be traveled per kilogram of hydrogen. If sodium costs 100 yuan per kilogram, the cost of producing one kilogram of hydrogen is 2,300 yuan, resulting in operating costs of 7.1 yuan per km for this car – which is clearly unaffordable. If the price of sodium is reduced to below 8 yuan/kg, the cost of using sodium to produce one kilogram of hydrogen would be 184 yuan, resulting in a operating cost of 0.57 yuan/km for this vehicle – a cost that should be acceptable to the general public. It can be seen that the key to producing hydrogen using sodium lies in the safety of hydrogen production and the cost of sodium. Is it possible to reduce the cost of sodium? It should be possible through the following methods. 1. Designate hydrogen production using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials as a major energy development strategy. Rarity makes things valuable; if this issue is truly given importance, and if hydrogen production using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials is supported as a strategic development for new energy sources, then the costs and policies related to building refineries, reducing carbon emissions and pollution, as well as constructing hydrogen refueling stations and storage tanks, can be redirected to support this emerging industry. By formulating policies to optimize taxes and reduce costs, it is possible to lower the usage costs. 2. Produce sodium metal using cheap raw materials and recycle it. It’s certainly easier to develop a device that uses sodium hydroxide to produce sodium, and then generates hydrogen through the reaction of sodium with water, right? It’s simpler than building high-pressure hydrogen storage containers and hydrogen refueling stations This allows for the production of hydrogen fuel to power vehicles, or to be used in hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. The sodium hydroxide liquid produced during operation can be recovered and recycled to obtain sodium again; isn’t this equivalent to using sodium hydroxide as a raw material? Low costs are to be expected. 3. Arrange for the recycling of sodium hydroxide solution. If sodium metal rods are placed in a container that can be compressed to form sodium wires, and they can be replenished after use—just like refueling a car—then storing 23 kilograms of sodium rods in a sealed container should be much easier than using high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks. Replenishing the sodium rods would also be far more convenient than high-pressure hydrogen refilling or building hydrogen refueling stations. The sodium hydroxide solution generated during vehicle operation is collected in another container; sodium rods and water are replenished at service stations, and the sodium hydroxide solution is transferred to collection tanks at those stations before being sent to specialized plants for the recrystallization of sodium hydroxide and electrolytic recovery of sodium. This eliminates the cost associated with raw materials, thereby reducing the expenses involved in processing and recovering sodium as well. Think about it: which is easier, carrying 23 kilograms of sodium in a vehicle or carrying 1 kilogram of hydrogen? VI. There are so many reasons for choosing sodium hydroxide as the raw material. Why choose sodium hydroxide among all the substances that contain sodium? Isn’t sodium chloride commonly used for producing sodium these days? Our goal is to produce a renewable clean energy source. The reasons for choosing sodium hydroxide are as follows: 1. Sodium hydroxide has a high sodium content, accounting for about 58 percent. 2. When sodium reacts with water, in addition to hydrogen gas, sodium hydroxide is also produced, allowing for easy recycling. 3. Sodium hydroxide is abundant and relatively inexpensive. 4. Sodium reacts with water to produce hydrogen; this reaction does not require any external energy source, and it proceeds rapidly, allowing hydrogen to be obtained promptly. 5. Sodium reacts with water to produce hydrogen; no other additives or catalysts are required. Apart from hydrogen and sodium hydroxide, no other substances are formed, and the sodium hydroxide produced is pure. 6. During electrolysis with sodium hydroxide, the temperature of the molten sodium hydroxide is also relatively low, which helps to reduce energy consumption. 7. When sodium hydroxide is electrolyzed, it produces only sodium, oxygen, and water; it does not generate any harmful gases or waste liquids and residues that could pollute the environment. VII. Benefits of using sodium hydroxide as a raw material for hydrogen production in a cyclic process. Hydrogen is produced by the reaction of sodium with water, and at the same time a sodium hydroxide solution is formed. By recrystallizing and electrolyzing this sodium hydroxide solution, sodium can be recovered again. The production process for the entire procedure is highly mature, with no technical challenges; it can be implemented as long as the equipment is properly prepared. The electrolysis equation for sodium hydroxide is: 4NaOH == 4Na + 2H2O + O2↑. Using this equation, it can be calculated that 1.74 kilograms of sodium hydroxide are required to produce one kilogram of sodium through electrolysis. To produce one kilogram of hydrogen, 23 kilograms of sodium are needed, which in turn requires 40 kilograms of sodium hydroxide. For the reaction of 23 kilograms of sodium with water, 18 kilograms of water are required. The cost of sodium hydroxide is 4 yuan per kilogram, while the cost of water can be considered negligible. There is also the power consumption cost associated with electrolysis. According to available information, the power required to electrolyze one kilogram of sodium is 3.45 kWh/kg (as stated on page 45 of \"Sodium Metal\"), or 7800–8000 kWh/t; the calculations below use values of 3.45 kWh/kg and 8000 kWh/t respectively. Taking the car named Rasa, developed by the British company Riversimple, as an example, the cost calculations related to the electrolysis of sodium hydroxide are shown in Table 1 below. This table provides the costs for initial operation, based on the use of 1 kilogram of hydrogen.

| Operation Status | Initial Operation | Serial Number | Item | Unit Price | Unit Consumption | Quantity Used | Cost |
|------------------|-------------------|----------------|------|-------------|------------------|---------------|------|
| 1 | | 1 | Sodium used (kg) | – | 23 | – | – |
| 2 | | 2 | Alkali used (kg) | 1.735 | 40 | 160 | – |
| 3 | | 3 | Water used (kg) | 0.0025 | 0.78 | 18 | 0.045|
| 4 | | 4 | Cost of processed sodium 1 (CNY/kg) | – | 23 | 115 | – |
| 5 | | 5 | Cost of processed sodium 2 (CNY/kg) | – | 8 | 23 | 184 |
| 6 | | 6 | Total Cost 1 (CNY) | – | – | – | 275.05 |
| 7 | | 7 | Total Cost 2 (CNY) | – | – | – | 344.05 |
| 8 | | 8 | Total distance traveled (km) | – | – | – | 321 |
| 9 | | 9 | Cost per km 1 (CNY/km) | – | – | – | 0.86 |
| 10 | | 10 | Cost per km 2 (CNY/km) | – | – | – | 1.07 |

Notes:
1. Total Cost 1 is the sum of 2 + 3 + 4, while Total Cost 2 is the sum of 2 + 3 + 5.
2. The cost of processed sodium 1 is calculated based on an electricity consumption of 3.45 kwh/kg; the cost of processed sodium 2 is 8 kwh/kg (water costs are ignored).

As can be seen from the table, the cost per kilometer is higher than that of using gasoline, indicating that there isn’t any clear advantage to using sodium hydroxide as a raw material. (II) The calculation of operating costs in cyclic mode is not a short-sighted approach; the sodium hydroxide produced can be recycled. By recovering and processing the sodium hydroxide obtained from the reaction, a significant amount of raw material cost can be saved. Electrolyzing 23 kilograms of sodium yields the results shown in the table below. The operating cost per kilogram of hydrogen used in this cyclic mode is as follows:

Operation Mode: Cyclic Mode
Serial Number | Item | Unit Price | Unit Consumption | Quantity Used | Cost
1 | Sodium used (kg) | – | 23 | – |
2 | Alkali used (kg) | 4 | 1.735 | 0 | 0
3 | Water used (kg) | 0.0025 | 0.78 | 18 | 0.045
4 | Cost of processing sodium 1 (yuan/kg) | 5 | 23 | 115 |
5 | Cost of processing sodium 2 (yuan/kg) | 8 | 23 | 184 |
6 | Total Cost 1 (yuan) | – | – | 115 |
7 | Total Cost 2 (yuan) | – | – | 184 |
8 | Total distance traveled (km) | – | – | 321 |
9 | Cost per kilometer 1 (yuan/km) | 0.36 | – | – |
10 | Cost per kilometer 2 (yuan/km) | 0.57 | – | – |

Note: 1. Total Cost 1 is the sum of 2 + 3 + 3, while Total Cost 2 is the sum of 2 + 3 + 4. 2. The cost of processing sodium 1 is calculated based on an electricity consumption of 3.45 kwh/kg, while the cost of processing sodium 2 is 8 kwh/kg (water costs are not taken into account). As can be seen from the table above, in a cyclic operating mode, the cost per kilometer for vehicles equipped with cycling devices ranges from 0.36 to 0.57 yuan/km, which should be a cost that vehicle owners can afford. It can be seen from this that there is a significant cost advantage to recycling sodium hydroxide. Assuming the electricity consumption for processing sodium is 3.45 kwh/kg and 8 kwh/kg, the electricity cost is 2.31 yuan/kg and 5.36 yuan/kg respectively. Adding the costs associated with sodium hydroxide recrystallization and other administrative expenses, the cost at the point of sale is between 5 and 8 yuan/kg, allowing sodium recycling plants to make a profit as well. Therefore, producing hydrogen energy using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials is not only technically feasible but also economically viable. By integrating this device for the safe production of hydrogen through the reaction of sodium and water into vehicles, and even by promoting its use in civilian applications and other energy-consuming devices, a new source of energy has been created. This helps to alleviate the growing shortage of energy worldwide, offers promising prospects for hydrogen-powered vehicles, and also creates favorable conditions for humanity to reduce carbon emissions, prevent pollution, and address environmental degradation. Sodium hydroxide can be produced from the abundant sodium chloride in the oceans, and its widespread use will not have any adverse effects on the human ecosystem. As can be seen from the above calculations, it is economically feasible to produce hydrogen cyclically using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials. The advantage lies in the fact that no impurities are introduced into sodium hydroxide during its use; recycling it eliminates the initial cost of sodium hydroxide, thereby **reducing the cost of sodium**. As long as the right measures are taken, it is definitely possible to reduce the cost of sodium, so that the use of sodium in hydrogen production through reaction with water becomes accessible and affordable for everyone. Isn’t that a benefit for the people? Such actions that benefit the country and its people surely deserve public approval, right? Isn’t it worth **supporting to promote it vigorously? VIII. How to ensure the safe use of sodium Sodium is a metallic element that is soft in texture; its density is lower than that of water, at 0.97 g/cm3. Its melting point is 97.81°C, and its boiling point is 882.9°C. It has relatively reactive chemical properties; it reacts with oxygen at room temperature and when heated, and it reacts violently with water. A large amount of sodium reacting with sufficient water can cause an explosion. Sodium can also burn in carbon dioxide, react with lower alcohols to produce hydrogen, and react with liquid ammonia, which has a weak ionization capacity. Due to the sweat on human hands, contact with metallic sodium leads to a strong chemical reaction; the absorption of moisture and the release of heat can cause burns. The sodium hydroxide produced is highly corrosive and can cause burns to the eyes and skin. Small quantities of sodium are stored sealed in liquid paraffin, mineral oil, and benzene derivatives, while larger quantities are usually kept in iron drums filled with argon and sealed. To produce hydrogen by reacting sodium with water, it is not possible to simply throw the required amount of sodium into the water; that approach will not work. Instead, taking advantage of the malleability of sodium, large pieces of sodium rod are compressed under external force into sodium wires. These sodium wires then react with water at the bottom of the reaction chamber. Acting like welding rods, they move inward as they react, thereby allowing for effective control of the reaction process. To put equipment for producing hydrogen through the reaction of sodium and water into use, a sodium rod pressing device and a sealed reactor are installed in the vehicle, creating a single unit that compresses large pieces of sodium into sodium wire strands for reaction with water. The sodium rods can be placed in a replaceable container; the process involves compressing these rods into wire strands that react with water, with the resulting hydrogen being used as fuel, while the sodium hydroxide liquid produced is stored in another container. After traveling a certain distance and using up all the sodium rods, at service stations the empty sodium rod containers are refilled with sodium rods and water. Meanwhile, the sodium hydroxide solution is drained into dedicated collection tanks at the service stations. The service stations then send this sodium hydroxide solution to specialized recycling and processing plants, where it is recrystallized into solid sodium hydroxide. Through molten electrolysis, liquid metallic sodium is obtained, which is then poured into molds to form solid sodium rods. The prepared sodium rods are placed in specialized plastic tubes designed for them, with both ends sealed; a plastic bag is then applied over them and the area is vacuumed before sealing it again. Finally, these rods are put into an iron barrel and sent back to the service station for use in vehicles. It’s definitely easier and safer than transporting hydrogen, right? IX. Design dimensions and endurance time of sodium metal rods The specifications of these rods are determined based on the basic requirements regarding a vehicle’s driving range; vehicles that consume less hydrogen require rods with a smaller diameter, while those that consume more hydrogen need rods with a larger diameter. A single hydrogen reactor can accommodate four to five sodium rods in parallel within the compression cylinder, ensuring that by the time the last rod starts to be used, the vehicle can still reach the nearest service station to have its rods replenished. The hydrogen produced by the other three (or four) rods is sufficient to cover a distance equivalent to that covered by a full tank of fuel. The specific data are shown in the table below: Table 1: Specifications of Sodium Rods. Gas consumption (m3/h): 1 m3, 2 m3, 3 m3, 4 m3; Sodium required (g): 2054, 4107, 6161, 8214; Density of sodium (g/cm3): 0.97, 0.97, 0.97, 0.97; Volume of sodium (cm3): 2117, 4234, 6351, 8468; Mass consumption of sodium (g/s): 0.57, 1.14, 1.71, 2.28; Volume consumption of sodium (cm3/s): 0.59, 1.18, 1.76, 2.35; Diameter of sodium rod (mm): 10.00, 13.00, 15.00, 18.00; Pushing speed of sodium rod (mm/s): 7.52, 8.90, 9.95, 9.24; Length of sodium rod (cm): 65, 65, 65, 65; Diameter of sodium rod (cm): 15.5, 15.5, 18.0, 18.0; Volume of sodium rod (cm3): 12259, 12259, 16532, 16532; Weight of sodium rod (g): 11891, 11891, 16036, 16036; Operating time per sodium rod (hours): 5.6, 2.8, 2.5, 1.9; Number of sodium rods: 4, 4, 5, 5; Total weight of sodium rods (kg): 47.56, 47.56, 80.18, 80.18; Operating time per sodium rod (hours): 29, 14, 13, 10; Amount of sodium hydroxide produced (kg): 83, 83, 139, 139; Water volume required for the reaction (kg): 37.2, 37.2, 62.8, 62.8; Concentration of sodium hydroxide solution (%): 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5; Water volume required for dilution (kg): 82.7, 82.7, 139.4, 139.4; Density of sodium hydroxide solution at 50°C (g/cm3): 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5; Volume of sodium hydroxide solution (L): 124.1, 124.1, 209.2, 209.2; Capacity of the water storage tank for the reaction (L): 119.9, 119.9, 202.2, 202.2. As can be seen from the table above, the operating time of a single sodium rod varies depending on the gas consumption. Taking this British vehicle as an example again, 1 kilogram of hydrogen occupies 11.2 m3 under standard conditions; from this, the consumption per kilometer is 0.035 m3/km. If the vehicle travels at a speed of 120 km/h, the hydrogen consumption is 4.19 m3/h, requiring 8.605 kilograms of sodium. With a reactor that uses 4 sodium storage tanks arranged in parallel, each of size 650*155, using up 3 such sodium rods totaling 35.673 kilograms of sodium, the vehicle can run continuously for about 4.15 hours. With a reactor that uses 5 sodium storage tanks arranged in parallel, each of size 650*180, using up 4 such sodium rods, the vehicle can run continuously for about 7.5 hours. X. Advantages and challenges of producing hydrogen using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials (I) Existing advantages From the above discussions and the data in the calculation tables, it is clear that as long as the reaction between sodium and water is properly controlled and the cost of metallic sodium is reduced, it is entirely feasible to obtain hydrogen energy using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials. And it has great advantages. 1. Producing hydrogen using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials is the best method that makes use of renewable energy, and it yields immediate results. Other methods of hydrogen production involve the consumption of other substances; when producing hydrogen in this way, it’s easy to end up compromising one aspect at the expense of another, resulting in unnecessary costs. 2. By using inexpensive sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials to cyclically produce hydrogen, a continuous supply of hydrogen energy can be obtained. This enables hydrogen-powered vehicles to operate smoothly over long distances without any concerns regarding their range. The cyclic sodium recovery power supply is powered by electricity generated within itself, requiring no external energy source and thus enabling cost minimization. 3. For vehicles that do not operate in a cyclic manner, it is relatively easy to replace the sodium storage tank that holds the sodium rods; it’s just like replacing a liquefied gas tank. This process is time-saving and convenient, and the driving range thus achieved can also meet the requirements. The recovered sodium hydroxide can be reprocessed into sodium rods, which can also significantly reduce costs. 4. The hydrogen produced by the reaction of sodium with water does not require any additional additives or catalysts during the reaction process. Whether it is used in hydrogen fuel cells or internal combustion engines, it does not generate waste gases or liquids such as carbon dioxide that could pollute the environment. 5. The sodium wire is inserted into the bottom of the reaction tank where it reacts with water. The water acts as a barrier that prevents air from reaching the area where the sodium reacts with water, thus avoiding the situation in which the reaction products float on the surface. Before starting use of the reactor, inert gas can be used to remove air from the reaction tank, thereby preventing any hydrogen produced from burning in the presence of oxygen and ensuring safety. 6. The hydrogen produced by the reaction between sodium and water can be used directly; the operating pressure required is only 0.1–0.3 MPa. There is no need for high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, as the hydrogen can be sent directly from the reaction tank to hydrogen fuel cells or hydrogen-powered vehicle engines, making it safer to use. 7. The hydrogen produced from the reaction between sodium and water can be used immediately upon generation; there is no need to build hydrogen refueling stations. Sodium rod recycling plants can be located far away from populated areas, making it easier to implement safety management measures compared to hydrogen refueling stations. Additionally, the investment required for such plants is also less than that needed for hydrogen refueling stations. It significantly eliminates potential social safety hazards and saves enormous investments. 8. The reaction between sodium and water to produce hydrogen is easy to control; by regulating the speed at which the sodium filaments are fed in, it is possible to effectively control the amount of hydrogen produced. 9. The cyclically operating sodium-water hydrogen production equipment is particularly suitable for providing energy to underwater operating equipment. This is because the oxygen required for using hydrogen as fuel can be obtained from the electrolysis process for producing sodium; there is no need for a separate oxygen storage tank. 10. When sodium reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas, no catalysts or additives are required. This significantly reduces the consumption of precious metals such as platinum and nickel that are used to produce catalysts and additives, thus conserving vast amounts of strategic resources. 11. The hydrogen gas produced from the reaction between sodium and water can be used as fuel for hydrogen fuel cells. It can not only be utilized in automobiles, but also as a standalone power source outside the power grid. Furthermore, it can be employed for civilian purposes, replacing existing liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas, as well as for general household electricity needs. 12. Hydrogen is produced using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials, which are sourced locally; thus, it is not affected by fluctuations in international crude oil prices, and its cost is not influenced by the global market, allowing for a stable market condition. 13. Our country is a major oil importer; by using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials to produce hydrogen, it is able to address the shortage of energy resources in the country. This approach also helps reduce reliance on crude oil in the international market, allowing the country to take control of its own energy supply. There are many more obvious unique advantages that cannot be listed all here. (II) Technical challenges The technical challenges associated with this approach include the following: 1. Safe use of sodium and hydrogen. Although using the reaction between sodium and water to produce hydrogen is safer than storing hydrogen in high-pressure tanks or at hydrogen refueling stations, there are still issues related to the safe handling of sodium and hydrogen. Ensuring absolute safety is a matter that must be given top priority. 2. How to install hydrogen production reaction equipment, reaction water storage tanks, and sodium hydroxide solution storage tanks in the limited space of a vehicle requires careful consideration. 3. For the equipment used to evaporate the recovered sodium hydroxide solution, carry out recrystallization, and melt it through electrolysis in order to recover sodium, improving the efficiency of sodium recovery and reducing energy consumption is the key to lowering the cost of sodium, and continuous improvement is necessary. The aforementioned safety challenges are the key difficulties; the issue of installing the reactor in a vehicle should not be difficult to address in larger vehicles, as there is ample space available for equipment installation. Installing equipment and containers on the cart may take up some space in the trunk. XI. The production of hydrogen using sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials addresses which bottlenecks in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles? 1. It overcomes the bottleneck related to the cost of hydrogen, enabling the acquisition of hydrogen at low cost. 2. It overcomes the bottleneck of high-pressure hydrogen storage, eliminating the need for high-pressure gas tanks. 3. It resolves the bottleneck in hydrogen transportation, as there is no need to transport hydrogen to hydrogen refueling stations. 4. It resolves the bottlenecks associated with hydrogen refueling stations; there is no need to build additional refueling stations. Instead, it is sufficient to add services for replenishing sodium rods at existing gas stations and to install storage tanks for collecting sodium hydroxide solution. 5. The bottleneck related to range has been resolved; once the sodium rods in the reactor are used up, they can be replenished at a fuel station at any time, just like refueling a car, thereby ensuring that it can travel long distances. 6. The bottleneck in hydrogen filling has been resolved; without hydrogen refueling stations, there are naturally no hydrogen refueling workers. 7. It not only overcomes the bottlenecks in hydrogen-powered vehicles but also paves the way for their widespread adoption. It is also possible for hydrogen-powered vehicles to replace electric vehicles that rely on charging, thereby overcoming the drawbacks of electric vehicles such as long charging times, short range, short battery life, the need for charging stations, and heavy battery weights. XII. Conclusion Through the above discussions and data, there should be no longer any doubt regarding the use of sodium hydroxide and water as raw materials for the cyclic production of hydrogen, thereby providing a source of hydrogen energy that can help overcome the challenges associated with hydrogen-powered vehicles. Faced with the global challenge of hydrogen energy, I feel deeply inadequate in my knowledge, and my understanding of automotive research is even more superficial. But when I saw the explosion of news about the “Nanyang hydrogen-powered vehicles,” public opinion seemed to be unanimously of the view that this was impossible. While hydrogen-powered vehicles struggle to become widespread due to various bottlenecks, the simple fact that hydrogen can be produced on the spot through a reaction between sodium and water in the vehicle is overlooked – a solution that could overcome those bottlenecks. Were you scared by the intensity and danger of the reaction between sodium and water? Don’t you see that the atomic bomb is universally recognized as the most destructive and dangerous weapon? Yet nuclear energy has also been brought under human control to benefit society, hasn’t it? When an apple falls to the ground, only Newton could realize that it was Earth’s gravity at work. Electric light illumination – it was only after Edison experienced countless failures that he finally achieved success. All of humanity’s scientific and technological achievements are attributed to those who dare to think, dare to take risks, dare to act, and persevere. A vehicle-mounted system that uses sodium hydroxide as a raw material to produce metallic sodium, employs the reaction of sodium with water to generate hydrogen, and then recovers sodium hydroxide from what is produced to manufacture more sodium, in such a cycle. This system not only effectively addresses the bottleneck issues associated with hydrogen-powered vehicles but also creates conditions for other applications of hydrogen energy. It is undeniable that many problems and difficulties still exist in the implementation of this concept; these may be technical issues or equipment-related problems, but the biggest issue is a social one – ensuring the social safety associated with the widespread use of sodium is a complex task that requires a comprehensive social system. Only through proper attention and societal recognition can it be promoted and made widespread; this is the fundamental issue at hand. I believe that human wisdom will surely solve these problems and difficulties one by one. Although I have filed a patent application for this idea, even if I were to obtain a patent, it would be difficult to implement it on my own; it cannot be turned into a practical product that benefits society. No matter how good an idea may be, it remains just a fantasy, and no matter how excellent a patent might seem, it is nothing more than a piece of paper with no real value. It is hoped that this initiative, which is beneficial to the country and its people, will receive **’s attention and societal recognition, so that human, material, and financial resources can be mobilized to initiate research and development and put it into use as soon as possible for the benefit of society. It is hoped that in the near future, when this vision becomes a reality and is widely implemented, it will open up vast opportunities for clean energy; people will no longer have to worry about fog, nor will they have to fret about the increasing shortage of oil and gas resources. In an era of rapid and continuous advancement in scientific development, it is believed that hydrogen energy will soon become an important strategic energy resource, making its due contribution to humanity. Completed on June 18, 2019