#Hydrogen fuel cell portable#

They are clean burning and have the ability to power buildings and even towns and cities. Stationary fuel cells, on the other hand, are very large and extremely powerful. Hydrogen batteries can power all sorts of devices from hearing aids to laptops to cameras and cell phones. Unlike regular batteries, a hydrogen one can continue to deliver energy as long as there is a constant input of hydrogen fuel.

#Hydrogen fuel cell portable#

Hydrogen batteries can fuel portable devices. They actually use liquid hydrogen for this. NASA also uses hydrogen to fuel its booster rockets. More of these will need to come about in order for hydrogen cars to seem like a viable option to most Americans. One of the drawbacks to hydrogen-fueled vehicles is the lack of hydrogen refueling stations. Although it is about as flammable, hydrogen gas is so light that if it were to escape, it would very quickly go up into the atmosphere. Though it is limited to only a few models today, its popularity is growing. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is often used for automobiles.

What is Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Used For? Many people would consider this part of noise pollution.įuel cell energy is created chemically instead of through combustion. This is because there is actual combustion going on inside them. Most vehicles are very noisy when they are operated. Especially when compared to nonrenewable energy such as petroleum.

This makes it an excellent and endless fuel source. In fact, more than 90% of all atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms. AbundanceĪs stated earlier, hydrogen is the most abundant element on earth. This means that not only is the hydrogen used for energy but the heat it generates is also captured as energy. Many fuel cell-reliant machines also use what is known as combined heat and power systems (CHP). Their efficiency would be higher except the electrical energy that they produce must then be converted into mechanical energy, leading to some loss of energy in the process. Hydrogen fuel cells, on the other hand, are generally between 60% and 80% efficient. Your standard combustion engine vehicle only converts about 1/3 of its gasoline input into usable energy. Still, many believe that the long term benefits of using clean-burning hydrogen fuel far outweigh the disadvantages. In the process of creating an environment for harnessing hydrogen energy, toxic materials may be used in the process. With that said, it does take energy to actually obtain the hydrogen fuel. With hydrogen as fuel, you eliminate the creation of air pollution and other toxic elements. The byproduct of hydrogen combustion is usually just heat and water. Hydrogen fuel cell technology produces virtually zero harmful emissions. Let’s take a look at some of hydrogen’s biggest benefits and hopefully you will see why it’s a technology worth investing in. Luckily, many people are now starting to see the powerful benefits of alternative fueling options. Hydrogen Fuel Cell BenefitsĪlthough we don’t necessarily have large-scale hydrogen projects happening in the world at the moment, the potential is definitely there. Now that oxygen is present, we have the necessary ingredients to once more create water, which is then exhausted out of the vehicle or another machine. This all occurs in the presence of the reactive gas, oxygen. There, those electrons will recombine with hydrogen. Here, hydrogen gives its electrons which flow around the cell, thus driving the motor. In order to obtain energy, we need to rejoin oxygen and hydrogen. In a fuel cell, instead of using metals like zinc, we use gasses, such as hydrogen. That oxygen is released into the atmosphere but the hydrogen is stored so that it may be used later as fuel. Through science, we are able to take water molecules and break them up, splitting the molecule into hydrogen and oxygen. How Fuel Cell Technology WorksĮven people who know practically nothing about chemistry will remember from elementary school that the chemical makeup of water is H2O. The circuit is then completed when the metal ions move through a solution. These electrons are pushed around the circuit and end up carrying energy to something like a motor. This results in an output of two electrons. In a standard electric cell, a metal such as zinc ionizes one electrode at the anode. It does this by converting its fuel into electricity. In a fuel cell, that fuel can be hydrogen. This type of cell is the basis for fuel cell technology.Īn electric cell is able to generate electrical power by way of a chemical reaction. How an Electric Cell Works What Is Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology and How Does It Work.įirst, let’s go over what a general electric cell is and does.

The Power of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology.

What is Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Used For?.