Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by hydrogen. One of the major components in FCEVs is the Fuel Cell System (Fuel Stack). The function of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell stack is to drive the motor by producing electricity. 

The Fuel cell stack consists of a stack containing up to several hundred fuel cells; it forms the core of the fuel cell system. In each one of these cells arranged in series, a “cold combustion” process takes place that converts the energy from the chemical reaction between the continuously fed hydrogen and airborne oxygen into electricity. This takes place when the hydrogen is catalytically split down into electrons and protons.

Fuel cells have several potential applications, including powering vehicles, providing backup power for homes and businesses, and serving as a source of electricity in remote or off-grid locations. However, they are currently more expensive to produce than traditional fossil fuel-based power sources, and the infrastructure for distributing and storing hydrogen fuel is still under development.

What is a Fuel Cell/ Hydrogen Fuel Cell?

A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen. Fuel cells are a promising technology for generating electricity because they are relatively efficient, produce very little pollution, and can operate using a variety of fuels, including hydrogen, natural gas, and methanol.

Working of Fuel Cell

In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen gas is fed into the anode (negative electrode), where a catalyst causes the hydrogen atoms to split into protons and electrons. The protons pass through an electrolyte membrane to the cathode (positive electrode), while the electrons are forced to take an alternative path through an external circuit, generating an electric current. At the cathode, the protons and electrons are reunited with oxygen from the air to produce water, the only byproduct of the process. The hydrogen fuel cell is a clean, efficient source of power that produces only water as a byproduct, making it a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources.

How much energy Hydrogen Fuel Cell can produce?

The fuel cell stack is the heart of a fuel cell power system. It generates electricity in the form of direct current (DC) from electrochemical reactions that take place in the fuel cell. A single fuel cell produces less than 1 V, which is insufficient for most applications. Therefore, individual fuel cells are typically combined in series into a fuel cell stack. A typical fuel cell stack may consist of hundreds of fuel cells. Roughly 400 cells can produce 400 - 500 KW of power. The amount of power produced by a fuel cell depends upon several factors, such as fuel cell type, cell size, the temperature at which it operates, and the pressure of the gases supplied to the cell.

A typical fuel cell produces a voltage from 0.6 to 0.7 V at a full-rated load. Voltage decreases as current increases, due to several factors such as:

Activation loss

Ohmic loss (voltage drop due to resistance of the cell components and interconnections)

Mass transport loss (depletion of reactants at catalyst sites under high loads, causing rapid loss of voltage).

To deliver the desired amount of energy, the fuel cells can be combined in series to yield higher voltage, and in parallel to allow a higher current to be supplied. Such a design is called a fuel cell stack. The cell surface area can also be increased, to allow higher current from each cell.

Components of Hydrogen Fuel Cell

There are several key components in a fuel cell:

Anode:

The anode is the negatively charged electrode where the fuel is introduced. This is the negative terminal of the fuel cell, where the fuel enters the cell and is oxidized. It is typically made of a porous, conductive material that allows the fuel to flow through it and come into contact with the catalysts.

Cathode:

The cathode is the positively charged electrode where the oxidizing agent is introduced. This is the positive terminal of the fuel cell, where the oxidizing agent (usually oxygen) enters the cell and is reduced. It is made of a porous material that allows the oxidizing agent to flow through it and come into contact with the catalysts.

Electrolyte Membrane:

The electrolyte is a thin layer of material that separates the anode and cathode (fuel and oxidant). It allows protons to pass through, but not electrons. It separates the anode and cathode and helps to prevent direct contact between the fuel and oxidizing agent. This creates an electrical potential difference between the anode and cathode, which drives the chemical reaction that generates electricity. For example, in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the electrolyte is a proton exchange membrane.

Catalysts:

Catalysts are substances that help to accelerate the chemical reactions that take place at the anode and cathode. They are usually made of precious metals such as platinum or palladium.

Gas diffusion layers:

Gas diffusion layers are porous materials that help to distribute the fuel and oxidizing agent evenly across the surface of the electrodes.

Current collectors:

Current collectors are conductive materials that help to collect the electricity produced by the fuel cell and transmit it to the external circuit.

Bipolar plate:

The bipolar plate is a conductive layer that separates the anode and cathode of the fuel cell. It acts as a conductor, allowing electrons to flow from the anode to the cathode, and it also helps to distribute the fuel and oxidant evenly throughout the cell.

Flow field:

The flow field is a series of channels or grooves etched into the surface of the bipolar plate. It helps to distribute the fuel and oxidant evenly throughout the cell, and it also helps to remove excess heat from the cell.

Cooling system:

Fuel cells generate a lot of heat during operation, so they need a cooling system to keep the temperature within an acceptable range. This is a system that removes heat from the fuel cell to keep it operating at an optimal temperature. This is typically a water-based system, but other materials such as air or a refrigerant can also be used.

Types of Fuel Cell

There are several types of hydrogen fuel cells, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Each type has its own unique characteristics and is suited for different applications.

There are several different types of fuel cells, each with its own unique characteristics and applications. Some of the main types include:

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC):

PEM fuel cells use a proton-conducting polymer membrane as an electrolyte. These cells use a polymer membrane as an electrolyte and are often used in portable and portable power applications, such as in vehicles and portable electronics. These are the most commonly used fuel cells in portable and transportation applications. They operate at relatively low temperatures and use hydrogen as fuel. 

Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs):

Alkaline fuel cells use an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, typically potassium hydroxide, and are known for their high efficiency and long lifespan and are suitable for use in space and military applications. They are often used in large-scale stationary power applications. These fuel cells were some of the first to be developed and are commonly used in space missions due to their high efficiency and ability to operate at low temperatures. They use hydrogen as fuel.

Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs):

Molten Carbonate fuel cells use a molten carbonate electrolyte, typically lithium or sodium carbonate. MCFCs use lithium potassium carbonate salt as an electrolyte, and this salt liquefies at high temperatures, allowing for the movement of charge within the cell – in this case, negative carbonate ions. Like SOFCs, MCFCs are capable of converting fossil fuel to a hydrogen-rich gas in the anode, eliminating the need to produce hydrogen externally. The reforming process creates carbon dioxide emissions. Known for their high efficiency and durability and can operate at high temperatures (around 650°C). 

They are suitable for use in stationary power generation such as in power plants and co-generation systems and have high efficiency. They use hydrogen or natural gas as fuel.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs):

SOFC-type Fuel cells use a solid oxide electrolyte, typically made of ceramics, and can operate at high temperatures (around 1000°C), and are known for their high efficiency and durability. Similar to proton exchange membrane fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells, they extract electricity from the electrochemical conversion of hydrogen- and oxygen-containing gases, leaving only water as a by-product. Current SAFC systems use hydrogen gas obtained from a range of different fuels, such as industrial-grade propane and diesel. They operate at mid-range temperatures, from 200 to 300 °C. They are suitable for use in stationary power generation and have high efficiency. They can use a variety of fuels, including hydrogen, natural gas, and biofuels.

Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFCs):

Phosphoric Acid fuel cells use liquid phosphoric acid as an electrolyte and are suitable for use in stationary power generation and co-generation systems. The electrolyte is highly concentrated or pure liquid phosphoric acid (H3PO4) saturated in a silicon carbide matrix (SiC). 

The operating range is about 150 to 210 °C. This high temperature will cause heat and energy loss if the heat is not removed and used properly. This heat can be used to produce steam for air conditioning systems or any other thermal energy-consuming system. Using this heat in cogeneration can enhance the efficiency of phosphoric acid fuel cells from 40 to 50% to about 80%. The electrodes are made of carbon paper coated with a finely dispersed platinum catalyst. They have high efficiency and are relatively easy to maintain. They use hydrogen or natural gas as fuel.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs):

DFMC fuel cells use methanol as fuel and are suitable for use in portable power applications. They have a high energy density and are relatively easy to refuel.

Hydrogen Economy: The Importance of Fuel Cells in Sustainable Energy Systems

Hydrogen fuel cells have several potential advantages over traditional energy sources. They are highly efficient, with some fuel cells achieving conversion efficiencies of up to 60%. They also produce zero emissions, making them a clean and environmentally friendly source of power. In addition, hydrogen is an abundant, widely available resource, and fuel cells can use a variety of hydrogen sources, including fossil fuels and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power.

The importance of fuel cells in sustainable energy systems lies in their ability to provide clean, efficient power while reducing the world's reliance on fossil fuels. The use of hydrogen as an energy source can help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and reducing dependence on non-renewable resources.

The transportation sector is one area where fuel cells have shown significant promise. Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are already in production, and leading automotive companies are investing heavily in the technology. FCVs have the potential to provide a zero-emission alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, with the added benefit of being able to refuel quickly and travel long distances.

In addition to transportation, fuel cells are also being used in stationary power applications, including backup power for critical infrastructure and distributed power generation. Fuel cells can provide reliable power in areas with limited access to traditional power sources, helping to improve energy security and resilience.

The importance of fuel cells in sustainable energy systems cannot be overstated. As the world continues to grapple with the negative impacts of climate change, the use of hydrogen and fuel cells can help to provide a sustainable, reliable, and efficient source of energy. With ongoing research and development, it is expected that fuel cells will play an increasingly significant role in the global transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The Economics of Fuel Cells: Cost Analysis and Market Potential

The economics of fuel cells is a critical factor that needs to be considered. In this article, we will explore the cost analysis and market potential of fuel cells.

The cost of fuel cells has been a significant obstacle to their widespread adoption. While the cost of fuel cells has decreased in recent years, they are still relatively expensive compared to traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels. The primary cost drivers for fuel cells include the cost of materials, production processes, and system integration.

In terms of materials, platinum is one of the primary materials used in the production of fuel cells, and its high cost has been a significant factor in the overall cost of fuel cells. Research efforts are currently underway to develop alternative materials that can replace platinum and reduce the cost of fuel cells.

Another significant factor contributing to the cost of fuel cells is the production process. Fuel cells require high-precision manufacturing processes, and this can be time-consuming and expensive. However, as the demand for fuel cells increases, it is expected that economies of scale will bring down the cost of production.

The cost of integrating fuel cell systems into existing infrastructure is also an important consideration. For example, the cost of retrofitting a building with a fuel cell system can be significant, and this can be a significant barrier to adoption.

Despite the high cost, the market potential for fuel cells is significant. The transportation sector, including buses and trucks, is one area where fuel cells have shown promise, and many leading automotive companies are investing in fuel cell technology. Additionally, fuel cells can also be used in stationary power applications, such as powering homes and businesses.

In conclusion, the economics of fuel cells is a critical factor in their widespread adoption. While the cost of fuel cells is still relatively high, ongoing research efforts and economies of scale are expected to bring down the cost of production. As demand for clean and sustainable energy sources continues to grow, fuel cells have the potential to play a significant role in meeting this demand.

Conclusion

However, there are also some challenges to the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. One major challenge is the cost and availability of hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen must be produced and stored, which can be energy-intensive and expensive. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells require expensive materials, such as platinum, which can make them expensive to produce.

 Many of you must have watched Elon Musk in some videos or on Twitter making a mockery of the idea of Hydrogen gas or Hydrogen cars. Elon Musk manufactures cars that are powered by electricity and it is always claimed with regards to that electric cars are highly environmentally friendly. Ev's carbon footprint is almost negligible when compared to the carbon footprint of an IC Engine-based vehicle.

But this fact is only partially true because if we talk about the country from where Elon Musk got his start, then only 20% of the total electricity of the US is produced using Renewable Resources. Electric cars are bound with several other problems too. Even today, the charging time required by an EV is very high due to this, people have to face several problems, EV owners also suffer from range anxiety due to the extremely low energy density of lithium-ion batteries in comparison to fuels like Petrol and Diesel. Humans still have not manufactured any practical Electric Plane and due to these complications in the battery of an EV. Many people believe that Hydrogen is the fuel of the future.

Shri Nitin Gadkari About Hydrogen

Nitin Gadkari is the current Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Government of India. He has expressed support for the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology in transportation, particularly in the form of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

In a recent speech, Gadkari emphasized the potential for hydrogen fuel cell technology to play a major role in the future of transportation in India, citing its clean energy production and the potential to reduce India's dependence on imported fossil fuels. He also noted the potential for the development of a domestic hydrogen fuel cell industry in India, which could create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

Delighted to launch the world's most advanced technology - developed Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai along with Union Minister Shri @HardeepSPuri ji, Union Minister Shri @RajKSinghIndia ji,... pic.twitter.com/teu8pm1l57

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) March 16, 2022

Gadkari has also expressed support for the development of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure in India, including the production, distribution, and storage of hydrogen fuel. This would be necessary to support the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the country.

India is soon going to become the market leader of the whole world concerning the export of Green Hydrogen. Shri Nitin Gadkari is not the lone person with such ambitions for Green Hydrogen, but brands like Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai began their Research and Development R&D for Hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles in the very early 2000s. Some cars are even available in their portfolio if we get specific to Toyota. Toyota already invested around a Billion Dollars in the Research and Development of Hydrogen Cars.

History of Hydrogen and Hydrogen Car

Toyota Mirai is the largest-selling Hydrogen fuel-based car in the whole world. Since 2014 till date, only 18,000 units of this car have been sold by Toyota. Which is a ridiculously small number. Therefore we would try to understand why successful and massive brands like Toyota are manufacturing Hydrogen-based cars that are numb to the people. Why does Elon Musk think that the people thinking about Hydrogen are stupid? and we should also try to understand. To what extent Elon Musk is wrong and Shri Nitin Gadkari right. 

Hydrogen gas is an extremely flammable gas many of you might remember, how an aircraft like Hindenburg was destroyed due to this horrible gas. And many people lost their lives in this incident Hydrogen is the most abundant element in this whole universe. 70% of the mass of the whole universe is composed of only Hydrogen. But when we enter the earth here only 0.1% of the hydrogen is available in its pure form. Even after the negligible availability of pure Hydrogen. 

But Hydrogen can be extracted by various methods other than this such as from water, you must be knowing the fact that water is made up of two atoms of Hydrogen and one atom of oxygen due to this Hydrogen can be extracted from water. There are several other methods too through which hydrogen can be extracted. But we will refer to those further. But before that, we should understand

Why Hydrogen Should be Used in Cars?

To understand that we should monitor Toyota because Toyota has invested a considerable amount of money to make this possible. During the early 90s, global automakers were looking for alternative energy resources that could be used as a source of energy for vehicles. Global Warming was not a hot topic back at that time and global automakers were aware of the fact that fossil fuel-based vehicles can not be extinct shortly. 

But soon came the day and that's why global automakers were preparing in advance. At that time no one was looking at Lithium-ion batteries as those are seen today. No one thought of driving cars with Lithium-ion batteries. Because Lithium-ion batteries were highly ineffective during that time no development was done for the evolution of batteries that's why Toyota decided to invest in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology. A hydrogen Fuel Cell is used to generate electricity from hydrogen. The generated electricity is fed to the Electric Motors and the vehicles start moving.

Working of Fuel Cell in FCEV

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use a fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity to power the vehicle. The fuel cell consists of two electrodes, a cathode, and an anode, separated by a membrane. Hydrogen gas is supplied to the anode, where it is separated into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the membrane and combine with oxygen at the cathode to form water, while the electrons flow through an external circuit to power the vehicle.

If I try to explain to you the basic functionality of a hydrogen fuel cell in a lucid manner. Then, a hydrogen fuel cell is composed of an anode, cathode, electrolyte membrane, and a suitable catalyst. Highly pressurized Hydrogen gas is filled in the anode and oxygen gas is filled in the cathode, filled hydrogen anode which cannot cross the electrolyte membrane. Because electrolytes facilitate the passage of positive ions only. 

Hydrogen is a neutral atom consisting of 1 electron and 1 proton. To further initiate the energy production process a suitable catalyst is used. A catalyst separates the electron and proton of the Hydrogen gas And these protons flow to the cathode through the electrolyte. Electrons stay in the anode due to their negative charge. That's why the anode is connected to the cathode through a conductive wire this wire enables the passage of electrons. 

This flow of electrons through the wire is termed the electric current which drives the motor of the vehicle. The by-product obtained after this process is H2O which is water. This means Hydrogen fuel cell Vehicles do not generate any carbon emissions. This process looks simpler if seen like this, due to this reason the World's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle, FCEV was introduced in the year 1966. But this vehicle could not be used as any practical Vehicle.

Why is it tough to launch FCEV in the market?

Because it is a lot tougher than expected to drive any vehicle through hydrogen practically and therefore it took more than 20 years for a brand like Toyota to introduce its first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle. Toyota's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle, Toyota Mirai was launched in the year 2014. Toyota Mirai was looked at as the most technologically advanced car when it was launched, an electric car has very few components when compared to an IC Engine car. Due to this EVs are considered less complicated. But if we look at Mirai, which is an FCEV. The hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle is more complex than any other type of vehicle. But Toyota developed this FCEV beautifully. 

Some advantages were clearly visible in Toyota's Mirai, which are absent in the Electric Vehicles:

The first one is no range anxiety Hydrogen can be filled in the tanks of any vehicle in a jiffy like any IC Engine-based vehicle which is not possible in EVs.

Toyota Mirai can be used to travel up to 600 KM upon getting its tank full in one go and to further increase the travel range of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle.

There is no need to increase the battery cells as done in Electric Vehicles. Due to this, Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles stay light in weight.

Due to all these advantages present in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles, Toyota Mirai was a big flop at the time. From the time Mirai was launched, Toyota has only sold 18000 units of this car.

If we compare the sales of Mirai with any EV model of Tesla. Then the monthly sale of any Tesla car is more than the whole career sale of the Toyota Mirai. A question must arise in your mind if HFCV Technology is so advantageous. 

Then why Hydrogen cars are failing?

The answer lies within the practical issues present in the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle. There are around 35,000 EV charging stations in the United Kingdom and only 15 Hydrogen Fuel cell pumps or fuelling stations are present in the whole United Kingdom the hydrogen gas available today is highly expensive. 

For instance, the cost of green hydrogen in the US Ranges between INR 400-600 per Kg, and thus the average cost of running a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle is 10 times more than an EV and even more than the average cost of running a Petrol based vehicle. This Hydrogen is so expensive because this is green hydrogen as told you earlier. The pure form of Hydrogen is almost negligible in our environment thus we need to extract the hydrogen through several methods. 

There are many processes and sources involved in the extraction of hydrogen. All the different extraction processes of hydrogen are denoted by different colors and when all the different colors are combined together. The resultant is termed a Hydrogen Rainbow. 

If we try to understand this Hydrogen Rainbow:

Black Hydrogen is generated after the burning of coal or other fossil fuels. This generates huge carbon emissions.

Grey Hydrogen is extracted from Methane gas through Steam Methane Reforming and this process also generates a lot of carbon emissions. 

Blue Hydrogen is also extracted from Methane Gas. But here 50% of the carbon emissions are trapped. The final form of Hydrogen in the Hydrogen Rainbow is Green Hydrogen. 

The Green Hydrogen extraction process doesn't produce any harmful carbon emissions. Green Hydrogen is the hydrogen extracted from water through the process of electrolysis. Electric current is passed in water in this process due to which, the atoms of Hydrogen And Oxygen separate from each other. And then this hydrogen can be used in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles. And several other applications too. It seems very fascinating after listening. But a very big problem is also associated with this Green Hydrogen.

Why Green Hydrogen is more expensive than Fossil Fuels?

The hydrogen produced after the process of electrolysis utilizes electricity which must be generated from renewable resources like Solar Energy, Wind Energy, etc. If we use the electricity produced by coal. Then hydrogen can never become Green in this way, there could be no difference between Grey Hydrogen and Green Hydrogen. Also, Grey Hydrogen is five times cheaper than Green Hydrogen. The biggest problem with Green Hydrogen is that a very small portion of the total electricity of the whole world is generated through renewable resources. 

If we assume that all the electricity produced in the future will be generated from renewable resources, vehicles running on Green Hydrogen have a major issue. Due to this, Battery Electric Vehicles are superior to any FCEV and the issue of Hydrogen Cars is highly inefficient.

If we use the Hydrogen produced from Renewable Resources in our vehicles then the efficiency of such Vehicles is only around 33%. If we observe the efficiency of any Battery Electric Vehicle then it is 77%. Which is even more than any ICE Engine-based vehicle. 

The reason behind the low efficiency of FCEV is the usage of electricity for the production of Hydrogen itself. Then the generated hydrogen is transported in several ways And when this hydrogen gas is filled in the tanks of the vehicles. This hydrogen is again converted into electricity which consumes furthermore energy. This electricity drives the motors of any vehicle and some energy is also lost as heat in the motors, On the other hand, Electricity is directly fed into the Battery Electric Vehicles and drives the motors. Due to this reason, Hydrogen has no respect in front of Elon Musk. But it is not at all like if Hydrogen gas is not beneficial for running vehicles then it is totally a waste element. 

Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Commercial Vehicles!

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology is extremely beneficial in Buses, Trucks, and Ships. Hydrogen gas can be used to travel extremely long distances without wasting any time in charging your vehicle if we look at Trucks only. Since the battery pack of any truck must be huge in comparison to any car. Then the required charging time for that battery pack would also be huge. Lithium-ion batteries also make any vehicle bulkier whereas hydrogen gas can also solve this problem.

Is Hydrogen-powered Aircraft possible?

Hydrogen is going to be very useful in aircraft in the future. There is no surety after Electric Planes shortly. But Airbus has announced that they will introduce Hydrogen Planes by the year 2035. Hydrogen is chosen over batteries in planes due to its high energy density. These were some of the facts, Elon Musk considers hydrogen a stupid gas. But on the other side, Shri Nitin Gadkari wants to make India a global leader in the production of Green Hydrogen.

Big players like the Adani Group, Reliance, and L&T have started marching toward Green Hydrogen. Shri Nitin Gadkari wants hydrogen production through biowaste and sewage water apart from electrolysis. Here a chemical reaction would be used for the production of hydrogen gas.

Overall, it seems that Nitin Gadkari views hydrogen fuel cell technology as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels for transportation, and is actively working to promote its development and adoption in India.

What are your thoughts about hydrogen, mentioned below in the comment section on the production of electricity through hydrogen?

Hydrogen gas or H2 is a gas that contains a lot of chemical energy if you Ignite it, it will react with the oxygen in the air and release its energy using an explosion, and the only waste product is water. No CO2 nor any toxic gases just a bit of water. Of course, the uncontrolled explosion is great fun but how to properly use hydrogen as a fuel to power machines and vehicles, such as cars, well to do that we use a Fuel cell Hydrogen Fuel Cell.

What is Hydrogen Fuel Cell?

A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that takes hydrogen and oxygen and uses those to create electricity but how exactly does a fuel cell work let's find out.

How does it work?

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

The schematic diagram shows a Hydrogen Fuel cell in which on the left is the Anode and on the right side there is a Cathode, the anode, and the cathode are hollow areas in which gas can be sent inside, this is where the hydrogen gas goes and the oxygen goes into the cathode in between them there is a catalyst and an electrolyte(Proton exchange membrane).

What happens when the system is turned on?

When the system is turned on we get hydrogen in the anode and oxygen in the cathode, now the hydrogen inside the anode wants to go to the other side to meet with oxygen, and then react with it to form water. 

But there is a problem with it, H2 cannot get to the other side because there is something between them the Electrolyte(Proton exchange membrane). The electrolyte is a material that only lets positively charged things get through it. 

Why can't Hydrogen go through electrolytes?

To know the reason behind it we need to go into the depth of hydrogen, A Hydrogen is not positive. A hydrogen atom consists of one proton and one electron one positive particle and one negative particle making the overall particle neutral.

So the hydrogen in our system is neutral and not positive so it cannot go through the electrolyte. However, there is a solution to it which is the Catalyst. Now, what the catalyst does? 

In this case, it does the splitting of electrons from the protons so that electrons of the hydrogen atoms are removed from their protons.

So now we have got a bunch of protons and electrons, protons are also known as h+ which can pass right through the electrolyte because they are positive and they can meet with oxygen on the other side.

Generation of Electricity

But there is a problem, you see these are just protons and not really hydrogen anymore, so they can't react with oxygen and form water. 

To do that the electrons that are still on the other side must be transported over to the cathode first you might have noticed that words I used electrons and transported, and for transporting or moving electrons there is a name for that which is Electricity. 

That's right moving electrons is what we called Electricity, so we can simply connect a wire-like shown in the diagram, and then the electrons can simply able to float right through the wire to the other side, and they will meet up with the protons and can react which oxygen to form water which can leave the system and now what we have obtained is electric current running through a wire which we can then used to power a light, the bulb, a motor.

This is how the power output of the fuel cell is obtained.

Where are these Fuel cells used?

Hydrogen fuel cells are useful in automobile industries. Hydrogen is arguably safer than gasoline, so safety isn't a huge concern for hydrogen.

Advantages

Hydrogen is the most abundant and readily available source of energy. To support zero carbon emissions hydrogen is one of the best alternatives and one of the clean energy.

As it is having the highest calorific value it will be more powerful and more efficient. It is more efficient than many other green energy solutions. 

One of the most important advantages is that it has a fast charging time compared to many other combustion engines.

Drawbacks

Now although the cell is such a clever invention does have some drawbacks, 

First of all, it gets really hot when it is in operation and this can lead to fuel cells potentially damaging can themselves if it is cooled properly.

Another disadvantage of a fuel cell is it is very expensive you can remember that catalyst we talked about that is actually made out of platinum which is of course so very expensive.

Conclusion

So now you know how a Fuel cell works. But keep in mind that Fuel cells are different from battery cells. I hope you enjoyed reading this post.

What do you think will Hydrogen Fuel Cell be the future of electric vehicles?

If you liked this post or topic please do consider commenting with your thoughts and share.