Hydrogen is making a name for itself as part of the nation’s alternative fuel
portfolio. But how much do you know about this alternative fuel? The element,
the simplest on Earth, is certainly nothing new. What are new are the
continually developing technologies that have helped to develop it for use as a
replacement for fossil fuels. A hydrogen atom consists of only one proton and
one electron. It is also the most plentiful element found in the universe.
But just because this simple element is found in endless supplies doesn’t mean
it occurs naturally as a gas on Earth. Instead, it is always combined with other
elements. For example, you probably know that water is actually a combination of
hydrogen and oxygen. But that isn’t the only place hydrogen is found. The
element, often in the form of hydrocarbons, is found in many compounds that are
subsequently used as gasoline, propane, methanol, and natural gas.
For a fuel cell to generate electricity using hydrogen, the pure hydrogen must
first be extracted from a hydrogen-containing compound.
Fuel cells are one of the more exciting energy technologies, not only for
fueling vehicles but also for heating and powering buildings. They may
appear to act like batteries, but they come with one huge difference: they don’t
run down. Since they don’t run down, they also do not need recharging. Fuel
cells can continue to produce electricity and heat as long as they are receiving
fuel.
Fuel cells contain two electrodes, much like a battery, one negative and one
positive, surrounded by an electrolyte. The source fuel, such as hydrogen, is
then fed to the anode, or negative electrode, while air is streamed into the
cathode, or positive electrode. Electrons go through an external circuit, which
creates a flow of electricity. Meanwhile, protons move through the fuel cell’s
electrolyte on their path to the cathode. Once there, they reunite with oxygen
as well as the electrons to yield water and heat.
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