If you’re wondering how hydrogen fuel cells are made, you are not alone. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is advancing in the energy sector, and many people are unfamiliar with how it works. Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen as the primary fuel to produce electricity from a chemical reaction. The fuel cells can produce energy provided there is hydrogen.
Since hydrogen is the most abundant element in nature, it is a reliable energy source. It can generate electricity when used as fuel in hydrogen fuel cells. The good news is, hydrogen fuel cells don’t produce harmful emissions. Hydrogen is a non-toxic gas, and that’s why it has several applications in various industries.
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Now, let’s look at what makes up the hydrogen fuel cells and how they work.
How its Made
A hydrogen fuel cell has an electrolyte, two electrodes, hydrogen fuel, and a power source. The electrolyte separates the electrodes and facilitates free ion movement. In the fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen combine, forming water and generating heat. The hydrogen then gets stripped of its electron while its proton passes through electrolytes.
Fuel Cell Basics
A fuel cell is a piece of equipment that produces electricity through electrochemical reactions. It has a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte membrane. So, the fuel cells let oxygen pass through the cathode and hydrogen through the anode.
A catalyst then splits the hydrogen molecules at the anode into hydrogen ions, forcing the electrons through the circuit. As a result, that generates electric current and excess heat. The protons and oxygen then combine at the cathode to produce water molecules.
Difference Between Hydrogen and Internal Combustion Engines
Unlike internal combustion engines, hydrogen fuel cells are silent as they have no moving parts. Instead, they generate electricity through chemical reactions rather than combustion, making them more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines.
Hydrogen Energy
You can confidently invest in the energy source now that you know how hydrogen fuel cells are made. The good thing about hydrogen is that it is a clean, efficient fuel that doesn’t emit harmful emissions. That is why it is used to power up residential homes, rockets, vehicles, and planes. However, hydrogen fuels are costly to build and maintain.
Contact us to learn more applications of hydrogen cell fuels.