Hydrogen Cells Mechanics

Hydrogen cells or hydrogen fuel cell - a device that efficiently converts hydrogen into electricity to power up your car, and other appliances. The only byproduct is pure water and potentially useful heat.

Watch this hydrogen fuel cell presentation video by Ballard:

Here's Hydrogen Fuel Cell applications enumerated by the DOE with its advantages and efficiency compared to traditional combustion technologies:

"*Stationary fuel cells can be used for backup power,power for remote locations, distributed powergeneration, and cogeneration (in which excessheat released during electricity generation is usedfor other applications)."

"*Fuel cells can power almost any portable applicationthat typically uses batteries, from hand-held devicesto portable generators."

"*Fuel cells can also power our transportation, includingpersonal vehicles, trucks, buses, and marine vessels,as well as provide auxiliary power to traditionaltransportation technologies. Hydrogen can play aparticularly important role in the future by replacingthe imported petroleum we currently use in our carsand trucks."

Efficiency of Hydrogen Fuel Cells (by DOE)

"• A conventional combustion-based power planttypically generates electricity at efficiencies of 33to 35 percent, while fuel cell systems can generateelectricity at efficiencies up to 60 percent (and evenhigher with cogeneration)."

"• The gasoline engine in a conventional car is lessthan 20% efficient in converting the chemical energyin gasoline into power that moves the vehicle,under normal driving conditions. Hydrogen fuelcell vehicles, which use electric motors, are much more energy efficient and use 40-60 percent of the fuel’s energy — corresponding to more than a 50% reduction in fuel consumption, compared to a conventional vehicle with a gasoline internal combustion engine."

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