Understanding Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: Efficiency, Benefits, and Challenges
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles harness the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, powering electric motors. While the technology boasts impressive operating efficiencies of 40-80%, overcoming challenges in hydrogen production, storage, and distribution remains a hurdle. Drawing on decades of innovation since the 1960s, companies are now aiming for commercial fuel cell models. Additionally, reformers play a crucial role by converting alcohol fuels into hydrogen, although their efficiency poses a concern. Explore the future of clean energy with hydrogen fuel cells.
Understanding Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: Efficiency, Benefits, and Challenges
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Presentation Transcript
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle • A device that combines Hydrogen and oxygen are to produce electricity. The electricity is used to power the vehicles electric motors. Video
Fuel Cell • A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. • A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity.
How a Fuel Cell works Hydrogen Electrons Carbon Plate (Anode) Catalyst Layer Matrix (Electrolyte) Catalyst Layer Carbon Plate (Cathode) Oxygen Water
Output per Cell • This reaction in a single fuel cell produces only about 0.7 volts. • To get this voltage up to a reasonable level, many separate fuel cells must be combined to form a fuel-cell stack.
What is holding back Fuel Cells? • Hydrogen is difficult substance to produce, store and distribute • To over come this problem, fuel cells convert readily available fuels into Hydrogen. This process is preformed by a device called a reformer.
Facts • One gallon of gasoline burned in an internal combustion engine releases twenty pounds of carbon dioxide • Fuel cells in vehicles can operate with efficiencies of 40-80% compared with 18% for "state-of-the-art" spark ignition engines • The first "commercial" use of fuel cells was by NASA in the 1960s • Companies are hoping to produce their first commercial models of fuel cell cars from 2003-2005
Honda FCXV3
BMW 5 Series
Ford Converted Econo-line Focus
Toyota FCHV
Volkswagen Hymotion
What is a Reformer • A reformer converts alcohol fuels into hydrogen. • Unfortunately, reformers are not very efficient. • They generate heat and produce hydrogen and other unwanted gasses
Reference Heating with Wood, DOE, 2000 U.S. Dept. Of Energy, 2000 www.iowastateuniv.edu The Value of the Benefits of US Biomass Power, 1999
