2. 2
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Description
Hydrogen fuel cell cars operate on
compressed hydrogen injected into a fuel
cell producing electricity to power the
vehicle. A fuel cell is a cell that yields
electricity due to a direct chemical
reaction. Used in combination with an
electric motor, a fuel cell can be used to
operate a vehicle powerfully, silently, and
with zero carbon emission. Therefore,
converting hydrogen gas into electricity
produces water as a byproduct.(6)
4. 4
Conventional power plants generate energy at an efficiency rate of
33 to 35 percent, while hydrogen fuel cell systems can generate
energy at an efficiency at a rate of up to 60 percent. Having this as
a source of energy would help to meet the demands of the earth's
growing population well into the future.(1)
A typical gasoline engine converts roughly 20% of the chemical
energy attained into power which moves the vehicle, while fuel
cells, which power electric motors, use up to 60 percent of the
fuel's energy, which corresponds to a more than 50% reduction in
fuel consumption.(1)
Relevance of Hydrogen Fuel Cells in
the Modern World
(2)
5. 5
The research performed in the area of hydrogen fuel cells has the
ability to benefit large numbers of people in areas across the world.
The properties that fuel cell technology have include making
vechicles more fuel efficient while at the same time producing no
harmful byproducts will mean that consumers around the world will
have the opprotunity to save money and time not needing to refuel
their vechicles as often.(1)
The enviroment can also benefit from the use of hydrogen fuel cell
technologies as well. No carbon emmisions means no harm will be
done to the ozone layer of the atmosphere.(1)
Relevance of Hydrogen Fuel Cells (contd).
(3)
6. 6
Sir William Robert Groves was credited with creating the
concept of a fuel cell in 1839 when he mixed hydrogen and
oxygen with an electrolyte, which produced electricity and water,
but it was too weak to be useful.
The idea of a fuel cell was later built upon by a man named
Francis T. Bacon in 1932. He used hydrogen and oxygen with
an alkaline electrolyte and nickel electrodes to produce
energy. He perfected his design in 1959 and demonstrated a 5-
kilowatt fuel cell that could power a welding machine.
The cell was used later in 1959 by Harry Karl Ihrig, an
engineer for Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company. He
demonstrated the uses of a fuel cell by using one to power a 20-
horsepower tractor, which was the first vehicle ever powered by
a fuel cell. (5)
History of the hydrogen cell
7. 7
There are obstacles that must be overcome in order to make
hydrogen fuel cells a viable option for use in technologies. First,
fuel cells must be made more cost competitive then traditional
power options in order to make them more appealing to
consumers.(1)
There are also ongoing research initiatives aimed at developing
materials in order to reduce the cost and extend the life of parts of
hydrogen fuel cell systems. The main goal of these initiatives is to
achieve low cost, high volume manufacturing techniques.(1)
Future Research on Hydrogen Fuel
Cells
8. 8
Conclusion
The hydrogen fuel cell is a relatively modern technology, its concept
being created in the mid-1800's. It has progressed a long way since
then, from producing no useful amount of energy to producing enough
energy to run a car. Though there are some obstacles to overcome,
especially concerning price, the applications for the future are
limitless. New ways to utilize the energy of hydrogen fuel cells are being
researched throughout the world, so that, maybe someday,
the world can stop relying on fossil fuels and move on to a more
renewable energy source: hydrogen.
9. 9
1. "Hydrogen Fuel Cells Fact Sheet." Www.hydrogen.energy.gov. U.S. Department of Energy, n.d. Web. 25 Oct.
2016.
2. Fuel Cell Car. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
3. Digital image. Computerworld.com. N.p., 12 Sept. 2016. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
4. Element One. Digital image. N.p., 12 Oct. 2016. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
5. Bellis, Marry. "Hydrogen Fuel Cells - Innovation for the 21st Century." About.com Inventors. About.com, n.d.
Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
6. Make/Model, By. "DriveClean.ca.gov." Drive Clean. California Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Oct.
2016.
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