The function of a hydrogen fuel cell is to generate an electrical current that can then do work beyond the fuel cell for example being capable of powering an electric motor or providing the needed electricity to power a light bulb. Due to the behaviour of electricity the current produced by the fuel cell completes an electric circuit and then returns to the fuel cell.
Hydrogen atoms first travel through anode. This is where a chemical reaction removes electrons leaving the atoms ‘ionized’ these atoms now carry a positive electrical charge. The negative charged electrons deliver a current through the wires where they can complete their job. If alternating current (or otherwise known as AC) is desired.
The Direct current (or DC) must be routed through an inverter which is a type of conversion device. Oxygen enters the fuel cell at the cathode. The oxygen then picks up the electrons and travels through the designated electrolyte towards the anode, here it combines with hydrogen ions. But what is the electrolyte? The electrolyte has a significant role; its purpose is to only allow the correct and appropriate ions to pass between the anode and cathode. It doesn’t matter whether they combine at the anode and cathode as hydrogen and oxygen form water.
If the fuel cell is given the correct doses of hydrogen and oxygen, it will generate electricity Discuss the benefits of diesel, gas, electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. Each vehicle powered by diesel, electric, gas and hydrogen have their positives and negatives. I will be dwelling into all the benefits of each of the above. Firstly, the key benefit of diesel powered vehicles is that their fuel economy is far more superior to other powered vehicles such as electricity and hydrogen. Unlike electric powered vehicles refilling the diesel tank is much more practical and convenient due to the abundance of petrol stations. Diesel powered vehicles also have cheaper taxes due to the amount of CO2 emissions and therefore the taxes are cheaper than gasoline powered vehicles.
Gasoline cars are also very practical due to the profusion of petrol stations. They are also a great buy due to the fact that gasoline cars upfront cost is much superior then others such as electric vehicles. Gasoline powered vehicles have the power that hybrid cars cannot emit, hybrid cars accelerate slowly nor can they reach the higher speeds that gasoline vehicles are capable of. The clear substantive and main idea of an electric powered vehicle is that it is better for the environment. EV vehicles are minimising harmful exhaust emissions that diesel and gasoline vehicles emit. Electric vehicles also give you the option of using renewable energy which reduces greenhouse gas emissions on a further scale.
Owners of EV vehicles obtain the benefit of low running costs and cheaper maintenance. Hydrogen is a clean energy source and when burnt to make fuel the gases are harmless to the environment and humans. Hydrogen is so safe it is often converted into drinking water for astronauts and is in use in space stations. Hydrogen is a very convenient and efficient energy source it is able to emanate an awful lot of energy for every kilogram of fuel. Hydrogen Is also a renewable energy source like electricity. How is vehicle energy efficiency determined? Energy efficiency is all about movement of the vehicle.
Weight of the vehicle is measured and energy is determined by how much or how little of an amount of energy is being distributed to accelerate and/or maintain movement whilst the vehicle is pressured against external resistance
