Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology

Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe. It is a major component of water, oil, natural gas, and all living matter. Despite its simplicity and abundance, hydrogen rarely occurs naturally as a gas on Earth. It is almost always combined with other elements. It can be generated from oil, natural gas, and biomass or by splitting water using renewable solar or electrical energy.

Once hydrogen is produced as molecular hydrogen, the energy present within the molecule can be released, by reacting with oxygen to produce water. This can be achieved by either traditional internal combustion engines, or by devices called fuel cells. In a fuel cell, hydrogen energy is converted directly into electricity with high efficiency and low power losses.

Hydrogen, therefore, is an energy carrier, which is used to move, store, and deliver energy produced from other sources.

Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when consumed in a fuel cell, produces only water. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources, such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. These qualities make it an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation applications. It can be used in cars, in houses, for portable power, and in many more applications.

Today, hydrogen fuel can be produced through several methods. The most common methods today are

• Thermal Process
• Electrolysis
• Solar driven and biological process

Fuel Cells

Fuel cells can provide heat and electricity for buildings and electrical power for vehicles and electronic devices.

Fuel cells work like batteries, but they do not run down or need recharging. They produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode)—sandwiched around an electrolyte. A fuel, such as hydrogen, is fed to the anode, and air is fed to the cathode.
Types of Fuel cells:

• POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS
• DIRECT-METHANOL FUEL CELLS
• ALKALINE FUEL CELLS
• PHOSPHORIC ACID FUEL CELLS
• MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
• SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
• COMBINED HEAT AND POWER FUEL CELLS
• REGENERATIVE OR REVERSIBLE FUEL CELLS