HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELLS

WHAT IS HYDROGEN? Hydrogen is the simplest element. An atom of hydrogen consists of only one proton and one electron.

A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water. Fuel cells are often compared to batteries. Both convert the energy produced by a chemical reaction into usable electric power. However, the fuel cell will produce electricity as long as hydrogen is supplied. Fuel cells are a promising technology for use as a source of heat and electricity for buildings, and as an electrical power source for electric motors propelling vehicles. Fuel cells operate best on pure hydrogen. But fuels like natural gas, methanol, or even gasoline can be reformed to produce the hydrogen required for fuel cells. WHAT ARE FUEL CELLS ?

WHAT IS RENEWABLE ENERGY? Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat. It is energy that is generated from natural processes that are continuously replenished. This energy cannot run out and is constantly renewed.

HOW IS ENERGY OBTAINED? It is obtained from a process called ELECTROLYSIS: It is method where we dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen using a device called electrolyser. (device that splits water “H2O” into H2 and O2)

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES? Advantages: Fuel cells can be used to produce power for an electric motor as well as directly producing electricity in place of a generator. In either case they facilitate the replacement of a gasoline or diesel engine. The fuel cell produces no greenhouse gases or other air pollutants. The product of the chemical reaction is only water and a small amount of heat. Fuel is a material that is easily available, it poses few issues of energy and national security, unlike the importation of petroleum. Disadvantages: A major obstacle to widespread use of fuel cells is in the storage and distribution of the hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen gas is difficult to contain, and most methods add considerable weight to a vehicle. Transporting and dispensing the gas will also require new methods. The operation of cells in very cold weather is a problem, since water is always present in and around the cell. Presently the cost of fuel cells is not competitive.

HOW POPULAR OR WIDELY IS IT USED? Fuel cells are very useful as power sources in remote locations, such as spacecraft, remote weather stations, large parks, communications centers, rural locations including research stations, and in certain military applications. A fuel cell system running on hydrogen can be compact and lightweight, and have no major moving parts.