How Does a Hydrogen Fuel System Work?
As fossil fuels become extinct, scientists look for new ways to create energy. Some common forms include wind, solar and alcohol power (in the case of vehicles). But another alternative fuel has sprung up as well. Hydrogen--a gas--is used to create electricity. This process occurs through a process involving a "fuel cell" with positive and negative sides. Ultimately, the process produces an electrical current to run an engine or motor with water as a byproduct.
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Hydrogen
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As the most common gas in the universe, hydrogen is everywhere. For example, the sun runs on it. According to Energy Kids, hydrogen atoms combine with other hydrogen atoms to create helium atoms. This reaction creates radiant energy, which enables life on Earth. On a different scale, hydrogen can be used in combination with oxygen to create an electrical current that then runs a motor. These motors can be used in technology such as cars. Scientists have developed a fuel cell to facilitate the reaction. This cell, a type of battery, uses both a positive and negative side to first break the hydrogen atoms down and then reform them into water.
Anode
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The anode, which is negatively charged, rests on one end of the fuel cell. It draws in stored hydrogen from a tank. The catalyst reacts with the hydrogen and splits it into positive protons and negative electrons. According to a catalyst company called Acta, the catalyst allows chemicals reactions to happen at a lower energy level.
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Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
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The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) rests between the positive and negative sides of the fuel cell. It allows only the positive protons to pass through to the positive side. This forces the electrons to travel through a circuit which creates electricity and can be used to run a motor or other mechanical device. The circuit, which started at the negative side of the cell, ends at the positive side.
Cathode
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The cathode--which is positively charged--draws in oxygen, usually from the environment. According the the General Motors official website, the catalyst spits the oxygen atoms in two. Each of these atoms combine with two hydrogen protons and two hydrogen electrons. This produces water, which flows out of the positive side and away from the cell. This is the only byproduct of the fuel cell, making it environmentally safe. According to Community Solutions, you can even drink the leftover water if the hydrogen is kept in a hydrogen tank and the water doesn't pass through a reformer (which may use methanol).
Fuel Stack
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According to the Fuel Economy governmental website, most fuel cells used in vehicles only produce up to 1.16 volts of electricity. Since this is not a lot, fuels cells are assembled into fuel stacks.
Common Uses
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According to the University of Surrey-Guildford, fuel cells can be used not only in cars but also in planes, scooters, vacuums, cell phones, police stations and even banks.
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