How do hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen-powered cars work?

Answer 1

A fuel cell is similar to a battery with continuously replaceable electrodes. Hydrogen is oxidized by oxygen in the air, in such a manner as to force an electron flow through an external circult. The advantage of the system is that fuel cells have good efficiency, and the only combustion product produced is water. The disadvantages, however, are numerous:
- Hydrogen is expensive (in terms of energy) to produce. Not surprising, since it liberates a lot of energy when it combusts. Industrial hydrogen is made from natural gas, which is not cheap, but is cheaper than buying electricity for electrolysis.
- Hydrogen is difficult to transport. It works its way into cracks in ordinary steel pipe, and embrittles them so that they may fail.
- Hydrogen is difficult to store. As a gas, its density is so low that a standard welding bottle of hydrogen at 2240 psi has only about as much energy as a half gallon of gasoline. To be reasonable for transportation, you need a very large tank under extremely high pressure -- 5000 psi or more.
- Hydrogen is difficult to deliver. Consider trying to fill a fuel tank on your car with something at a pressure of 5000 psi.
Bottom line: hydrogen is all hype and no substance. You aren't going to be driving hydrogen-powered cars any time soon.

Answer 2

Hydrogen Fuel Cells UK and the world description information what why and an Alternative energy source and other informational sites ... as using hydrogen fuels cells for cars, they want ... does actually work in the long ... hydrogen fuel cells but in the future researchers are hoping for a fuel cell powered ...www.uk-environment.co.uk/hydrogen-fuel-cells.html

Answer 3

Hydrogen is used as either a combustible fuel in much the same way as gasoline or it is transferred from a fuel cell to electric energy which is then used to propel the car.

Answer 4

They work poorly compared to current battery technology.
Any form of infernal combustion, gas, bio-fuel, hydrogen, is less suitable than electric as a motive force due to torque characteristics and laws of thermodynamics - a generator runnining at optimum temperature and load on unrefined fuel will always be far more efficient than a car, which on most journeies never get to optimum temperature, and load constantly changes.

fuel cell electric cars have been promised "soon" for the last 15 years.
Actual battery electric vehicles that would meet 80% of our personal driving requirements were taken from very happy drivers and CRUSHED; see www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com

A major problem with fuel cell/hydrogen is it is only an energy transfer mechanism. the fuel cell itself is efficient , but producing and transporting the hydrogen is very inefficient due to the small molecule and low energy density; especially when compared to the high voltage electric grid which can deliver straight to your house or work.

Modern battery technology, (which has not been subsidised by governments or big multi-nationals) will today deliver a much better alternative to the infernal combustion engine today; we don't need to wait for hydrogen to get quite, smooth, smell free motoring.
A range of >250 miles and acceleration better than a ferrari is available, and $30,000 of solar pannels on your roof would meet most of your motoring fuel needs, see www.teslamotors.com (built by Lotus norfolk UK, but not featured in any UK media)

by end 2007 recharging in 10 minute and 20-40 years life should be available..
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061026005107&newsLang=en

http://www.evuk.co.uk/news/index5.html#Phoenix_Nanosafe_SUV_SUT_Begley

but then this won't make much money for the oil companies and their feinds in the white house. And the motoring press are only celebrity entertainers not journalists, so will not question the status quo that provides them so many jollies. (eg why drive a 250mph jet dragster when there is a 350-400mph british bluebird team looking for sponsors? http://www.speedace.info/bluebird_electric_3.htm)

The US car companies are already suing California for brininging in legislation in 2010 that will require emission standards to meet the current Chinese levels

Answer 5

honda is developing hydrogen cars for release in about ten years. a model family in california is testing a prototype. try their website for more information. the current honda insight gets the highest gas mileage than any other model in the u.s.a.