The Different Ways in which a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

The need for alternative fuels has grown increasingly important. The fuel cell offers a viable way to circumvent the problems of the internal combustion engine. Howdoes a fuel cell work? What benefits does fuel cell technology offer the average consumer? How will fuel cells change the way in which you drive? Here, you will find the answers to these and many other questions.
How Does a Fuel Cell Work?

Think of a hydrogen fuel cell like a battery. It converts chemicals into electricity, much the same what that a battery does. However, that is the extent of the similarities. A battery contains all of the chemicals that are used inside the body of the battery, itself. This is the reason that batteries eventually die and need to be thrown out or recharged. Additionally, traditional batteries use different chemicals than a fuel cell does. 

A fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, where a battery may use any number of different chemicals. Because the fuel cell does not store any of the chemicals within its body, it has an inexhaustible supply of energy – you'll never need to recharge it or throw it away. 

In addition, there are several different types of fuel cell, designed for different applications. For instance, the solid oxide fuel cell is an excellent choice of large-scale power production. The alkaline fuel cell is an old design, used by NASA and other entities since the 1960's. The molten-carbonate fuel cell is designed for large power generators and the phosphoric acid fuel cell is an excellent choice for small, stationary power generators. Finally, the direct methanol fuel cell uses methanol, rather than hydrogen but is not as efficient. 

However, the fuel cell that will be used in most consumer automobiles is called the polymer exchange membrane fuel cell. This type of fuel cell works by exchanging hydrogen molecules across a membrane of material (usually platinum). This exchange breaks the hydrogen down into protons and electrons. The electrons form an electric charge, which is supplied to an electric motor, while the protons are combined with oxygen to form water. 

What Benefits Will You See?

What benefits does using a fuel cell offer?  Surprisingly, a fuel cell works to reduce the amount of fuel required to power your vehicle, as well as the amount of emissions produced during vehicle operation.  This means that you can power your car for less (though hydrogen production currently costs more than petroleum gasoline production), and that you don't pollute the environment.  A hydrogen fuel cell works in a clean, environmentally friendly way, producing only water and a few trace elements.  Contrast this with the exhaust from an internal combustion engine, which contains carcinogens, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic elements.

Obviously, the fuel cell is an excellent option for your driving needs. When will they be available?  Most automakers predict that fuel cells will be widely available in less than 20 years, so be patient.