FUEL
CELLS
Frequently
Asked Questions
How do Fuel Cells produce
electricity?
Fuel cells produce electricity through reverse electrolysis,
an electrochemical reaction. This combines hydrogen and oxygen
to form water vapor, heat and electricity. These
byproducts can be re-utilized by the fuel cell system. The
heat can be used for space heating. Water vapor may be
captured and used as re- supply for additional hydrogen.
The electricity is directed to an external circuit, where it is
used as needed.
What are the main components of
a Fuel Cell system?
Fuel cell systems
have three main parts. 1) The hydrogen source. 2)
The fuel cell stacks. 3) A power inverter.
-
Hydrogen can either be
reformed from fossil fuels (i.e., natural gas, propane, etc.)
or, the system can be coupled to a renewable energy source to
generate hydrogen through electrolysis of water. (Solar
panels or wind generators are required to produce the
electricity for electrolysis.)
-
The fuel cell
stack converts the hydrogen and oxygen into
electricity, water vapor and heat.
-
An inverter
converts the DC electricity from the fuel cell into
AC electricity that most equipment requires.
I am already using a renewable energy
source. Why do I want a Fuel Cell system?
When a solar, wind, or hydroelectric system is coupled with an
electrolysis system, fuel cell systems provide a completely renewable source of
electricity. By generating hydrogen with a renewable system, the
hydrogen becomes a storage medium for the energy contained in
the captured sunlight, wind, or moving water. Hydrogen and the fuel cells
can replace the toxic, heavy, limited-life batteries
currently used as energy storage.
Are there benefits to using
Fuel Cells?
Environmental
- Fuel Cells achieve high fuel efficiencies and produce
extremely low emissions.
Engineering
- Fuel cells can operate on a wide variety of fuels.
Moreover, since they utilize electrochemical reactions for
power production, they contain no moving parts. These
features make them simple to operate, quiet and very
reliable.
What do Fuel Cells use to make
electricity?
Fuel cells are flexible, when in comes to fuel. With proper reforming technology, fuel cells can extract hydrogen
from currently available fossil fuels such as, natural gas, methanol,
and coal. From fossil fuels, fuel
cells utilize hydrogen as their fuel. Hydrogen is the
most abundant element on Earth. In addition to fossil fuels,
hydrogen can be generated renewably from water as well as
other photo-biological means.
Are there different types of
Fuel Cells?
Yes. There are four main types. They are distinguished by the
electrolyte used. The types of
fuel cells are: polymer electrolyte membrane or proton exchange
membrane (PEM); molten carbonate (MCFC); phosphoric acid (PAFC);
and, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).
Why aren't fuel cells in wide
use presently?
In the near future, fuel cells will play an increasing roll
in everyday life. Soon fuel cell powered cars and trucks will be
cruising the streets of your town emitting nothing more than
harmless water vapor. Fuel cells will find their way into cell
phones and laptop computers whose battery life is measured in
days instead of hours. Your house or office will have a fuel
cell that replaces a conventional furnace, providing heat and
electricity free from the disruptions associated with the
utility's electric grid. Most of the companies planning to
manufacture fuel cells are still in the research and development
stage of production.
How safe is
hydrogen?
Hydrogen is a medium for storing energy. To be useful as
energy carriers, all fuels such as gasoline and natural gas have
a volatile characteristic. Hydrogen's benefits differ
from those of fossil fuels.
- Hydrogen is non-toxic.
Petrochemicals such as gasoline and oil are
extremely toxic to people and wildlife when released into our environment.
If a hydrogen
spill occurred, the hydrogen would immediately evaporate
leaving only water behind.
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