Hydrogen Fuel Cell Essay

Simplifying the schematics, a battery is comprised of at least one galvanic cell, which contains two or more half cells, a reduction cell and an oxidation cell. The electrode and electrolyte solution are contained in the half cells, and the chemical reactions in the two half cells provide the energy for the galvanic cell operations (Chieh). The two electrodes, or battery terminals, produce electricity through a series of electromagnetic reactions between the anode, cathode, and electrolyte (Marshall, Charles, & Clint, 2000). Two or more electrically charged atoms/molecules, known as ions, from the electrolyte bond with the anode (negative terminal) in the oxidation reaction. This produces a compound, where one or more electrons are then released. Simultaneously, the cathode substance (positive terminal), ions, and free electrons also combine into compounds during the reduction reaction with the cathode. Basically, the cathode or positive terminal of the battery is absorbing the electrons produced from the anode or negative terminal, creating electricity. Therefore, electrons flow from anode to cathode (AUS-e-TUTE, 2017), and electrical energy is

Honda has already produced a hydrogen fuel cell concept car they claim is “overall 64% energy efficient”. To put this into perspective in the average gasoline combustion engine “only about 20 percent of the thermal-energy content of the gasoline is converted into mechanical work”, making it 20% energy efficient [5]. This new line of cars could bring about jobs in the automotive industry and all industries that branch from it. As of right now the commercial market for hydrogen gas produced from the use of fossil fuels is at about $100 billion. A majority of this hydrogen goes into producing fertilizers and petrochemicals [1]. All it would take is an inexpensive source of green hydrogen, such as the one recently discovered, to completely change this industry.Overall hydrogen has the ability to bring about jobs and continued advancements in every market and industry touched by it. This could be just about every industry when considering how important transportation and shipping are to the economy; hydrogen would give them an inexpensive fuel for transport. Hydrogen fuel could do this all the while solving our most important problem of finding a renewable energy source.

The element in fuel cells is hydrogen. Chemical reactions between the electrodes and the electrolyte generate electricity.

In 2016, fossil fuel products (petroleum and gas) provided around 95 % of the energy for transportation in U.S. (IPCC, 2014). Since mobility has increased, the greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds have also increased due to the fossil fuel consumption. Other than the environmental concerns, fossil fuels are also considered to be limited. Because of all these problems, alternative and more sustainable solutions are being researched and developed. One of the long-term solutions is considered to be fuel cells that are based on renewable fuels. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have received substantial attention in transportation sector due to its greater power density and

Recent years have shown an increasingly large need for a practical renewable energy source for such reasons as diminishing fossil fuels and increases in greenhouse gasses. Hydrogen appears to be a way out of this gasoline-dug hole, or at least, a way out in the future. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are being engineered as we speak as the technologies to refuel them cleanly are being proposed. Unfortunately, most of the technologies associated with hydrogen are still in the prototype/pre-production stages and require better enhancements before becoming mainstream. This paper assesses the practicality of hydrogen power in cars both now and in the future while explicating the actual process of how a

Sustainable hydrogen Energy remains fundamental to economic development and welfare of society. To reach levels similar to those of developed countries being, many countries will need, and try to, increase their energy consumption. In addition, there is still a large number of people (more than a billion, according to estimates from the IEA) without access to advanced forms of energy, and will also contribute to increased overall consumption when achieved, hopefully, this access (Agbossou, et al., 2001).

Solar Hydrogen economy is analyzed as a possible solution to the looming energy crisis. The present and future energy needs are projected and solar hydrogen potential to meet these needs are evaluated. Different solar hydrogen production techniques are classified according to the process involved (thermochemical, electrochemical and photochemical). Salient points on these methods are mentioned. An economic assessment of a conceivable solar hydrogen economy is also performed. PV water electrolysis along with hybrid technologies like solar methane reforming and solar cracking are suggested as a good short to midterm solution.

Now when most people think of converting water into energy, they usually think of water powered cars. Even though this is not entirely what electrolysis does, it isnt too far off. Fuel cell technology, even though it is still being developed, works with electrolysis to make this possible. An obstacle with making fuel cell technology possible is

As time in the future comes near, hydrogen could join electricity as an important energy carrier. An energy carrier is able to transport and deliver energy in a useable form to consumers. There are renewable energy sources such as the sun and wind, but they can’t produce energy all the time. With hydrogen being a fuel cell, it has a higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines. Most fuel cells are able to operate without making sound, compared to central combustion engines. Therefore they’re perfectly convenient to be usable in buildings such as

Main role of an Anion ion membrane is to conduct hydroxyl ions at very high rates from the cathode to the anode where reduction and oxidation of O2 and H2 occur. The AEM and its integration with the electrodes form the heart of the alkaline fuel cell. If the transport through the AEM is not sufficiently high and highly selective, the corresponding fuel cell will not find any practical application.

An alternative form of energy source is using a fuel cell. A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction by converting chemical energy stored in hydrogen fuel into electricity. A PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) cell uses hydrogen gas and oxygen gas as fuel. The products of the reaction in the cell are water, electricity, and heat (Hydrogen + Oxygen = Electricity + Water Vapour) The advantages of using hydrogen fuel cells is that one, the amounts of pollution being produced will significantly drop as there are no harmful by-products being released, which means this type of fuel would contribute to global warming as it does not release any greenhouse gases. Secondly, hydrogen fuel cells are renewable sources, therefore it can be constantly reused unlike fossil fuels and thirdly since it requires hydrogen, which is extracted from water there will be no shortage. Also, it’s far more efficient than other sources of energy as Hydrogen is an efficient energy type since it has the ability to convey a lot of energy for every pound of fuel. This means that an automobile that utilizes hydrogen energy will travel more miles than one with an equal amount of gasoline. However the disadvantages are Hydrogen energy is expensive as a result, it is not heavily used by people around the world and currently today, hydrogen energy is only used to power most hybrid vehicles. Another disadvantage is that hydrogen gas is highly flammable making it very dangerous and not a

The contemporary industrial sector has been built on the capacity created by energy. The bulk of human activities from survival to economy rely on the use of energy. Indeed, widespread access to energy has a significant influence on the level of achievement a particular jurisdiction achieves (Johnstone, Mayo and Khare 572). Access to energy sources determines the quality and course of life undertaken by the residents of a specific region. Numerous factors interact to determine the supply of energy. Among them include the cost, quantities available and the extent of availability. The fact that fossil fuel is the primary source of energy means that distribution is uneven. It should be noted that oil, coal, and natural gas account for three-quarters of the global energy consumption. Indeed, it is estimated that traditional forms of energy such as wood and animal dung form the primary source of energy for close to two billion people across the globe. The realities raised by the use of fossil fuels create an incentive to explore alternative forms of energy sources. The use of hydrogen as an alternative source of energy provides several new advantages to the world in terms of abundance, pollution, and its future importance to the business world along with everyday use to the people.

Currently Cogen units are starting to be used more commercially, and fuel cells are even being used residentially. One example of this is when AG Construction Services recently completed the installation of multiple Cogen units in various locations, including the historic Lafayette hotel in San Diego, and at an independent living facility also in San Diego. Further, the company is in talks about an additional multi-unit installation starting in a phoenix, Arizona, apartment complex. I helped install a unit at the historic Lafayette Hotel in San Diego after uninstalling their previous green energy source. The previous source of green energy was eight hydrogen fuel cells, which also used natural gas as a fuel source. They worked in a similar

In the past two years over 35% cost reduction has been noticed on fuel cell fabrication, the current figure of $61/kw for transportation fuel cell is above 50% than the goal of the US department of Energy, i.e.$30/Kw by the year 2015, in order to complete with the conventional technology of internal combustion engines. Previous review mostly focus on one field that is a specific fuel cell application or a particular field of fuel cell research.

On the contrary, fuel cell vehicles are more radical innovation since it requires significant changes in the body of the vehicle, building an entirely new fuel infrastructure and changes in consumer behavior. Moreover, it will radically affect petroleum companies and change the industry standards, at the same time providing new opportunities for battery makers.