Hydrogen in fuel cells: An overview of promotions and demotions (original) (raw)

Volume 2(2): 1-6 that actually produces the electricity. However, to produce electricity, the propeller or engine must turn the alternator. In order for a fuel cell to produce power, something must supply it with hydrogen and oxygen. Numerous techniques have been employed to supply the fuel cell with the essential hydrogen and oxygen. Some systems use a "fuel reformer" to extract hydrogen from another fuel source such as propane, and can extract oxygen from the surrounding air. Some systems (in laboratory or industrial settings) are designed to be attached to tanks of pure hydrogen and oxygen. The basic principle of the fuel cell is depicted in the Figure 1. The most fascinating technique of obtaining hydrogen, from a renewable energy viewpoint, is to use "electrolysis" to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which is afterwards kept in tanks and fed into either end of the fuel cell. The "waste" water produced at the end of the fuel cell process is then fed back into the initial water source. A fuel cell generator set up to electrolyze and re-use water is known as a regenerative fuel cell. Any type of fuel cell could be used in a regenerative system, and the water electrolysis could be powered with wind, solar or hydro energy, resulting in a truly clean power system. Fuel cells can power almost any portable devices that normally use batteries. Fuel cells can also power transportation such as vehiclesm as well as provide supplementary power to traditional transportations.