Hydrogen Fuel: Hydrogen Fuel Cell for Car

Hydrogen has the maximum energy content per unit of weight than other fuels. There are many domestic resources like coal, natural gas, biomass and water that can be used to produce hydrogen. If burned in an engine, there are zero emissions. If it powers a fuel cell, the only waste is water. Fuel cells can be combined with technologies like carbon capture and storage, renewable energy and fusion energy to make emissions-free energy. For motors, hydrogen fuel can be used as solar or nuclear energy cannot be used. Gasoline can be replaced by hydrogen as a fuel in an internal combustion engine. Hydrogen produces thrice the energy as compared with gasoline. However, as its density is one-tenth in liquid form and lesser in gaseous form, the fuel tanks have to be big. Also they have to be insulated and this makes them more bulky. Liquid hydrogen can freeze air and cause accidents in plugged valves. As it is impossible to make a perfect insulation, hydrogen will evaporate at a rate of 1.7 percent per day.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Fuels like hydrogen, alcohol, methane or gasoline are converted to electricity directly in the cell. Pure water is the only byproduct and there is no other pollution. Such fuel cells are used wherever a clean and efficient power source is felt necessary. These fuel cells can be made in only 10 minutes to generate electrical power. The following equipment is essential.

• Pure platinum or platinum coated nickel wire, one foot in length
• A 9 volt battery clip
• A 9 volt battery
• A popsicle stick or similar small piece of wood or plastic
• A volt meter
• A glass of water
• Transparent sticky tape

The platinum wire is cut into pieces each six inches long. Every piece is made into a shape of a tiny coiled spring on any nail, ice pick or a coat hanger. These are the electrodes in the fuel cell. The leads of the battery clip are cut to half and the insulation is stripped at the ends. Then, the bare battery lead wires are twisted to the ends of the platinum coated electrodes. Further, one red and one black wire is connected to the electrodes to connect to a volt meter. The electrodes are taped to the popsicle stick. This stick is taped to a glass of water. The electrodes have to be dipped in water entirely, while the connections have to be out of it. The red wire must be connected to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative terminal of the volt meter. The reading must be from 0 to 0.01 volts. The fuel cell is now ready. A 9 volt battery is connected for one or two seconds to the battery clip. Due to this touch, the water at the electrodes splits into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis. While the battery is connected, bubbles can be seen at the electrodes. After the battery is removed, platinum works as a catalyst. The electrolysis reaction is reversed. Hydrogen and oxygen recombine to generate electricity. If the electrode of any other material is used, the volt meter would read zero again. However, the platinum electrode results in just above two volts. As the reaction progresses, the voltage recedes. In this case, the energy from a 9 volt battery is stored as hydrogen and oxygen bubbles. Any other energy source can be used. For example, solar power can be used during the day, the gases can be stored and used in the fuel cell at night. Or, they can be stored in high pressure tanks in an electric car to create electricity the car needs.

Hydrogen Vehicle

Any vehicle that used hydrogen as an on-board fuel for motive power is a hydrogen vehicle. It may be an automobile or an aircraft. The chemical energy of hydrogen is converted to the mechanical energy by electrochemical conversion in a fuel-cell. This conversion comprises reacting hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity and water to power an electric traction motor. This technology has given rise to hydrogen fuel cell car. Hydrogen is not an energy source. Instead it is an energy carrier. This technology has the advantage of reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone precursors. However, there are technical as well as economical challenges for the use of hydrogen vehicles.