What is hydrogen fuel and hydrogen cars: advantages and disadvantages
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The transportation sector is a big contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. As we look for cleaner options, hydrogen fuel cell technology is emerging as a promising alternative. But what exactly is hydrogen fuel, and how does it power cars? Let’s take a closer look at hydrogen vehicles and see what they have to offer, as well as some of the challenges they face.
What is hydrogen fuel?
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element, but it isn't readily available on Earth in its pure form. However, it can be produced from various sources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and most importantly for clean transportation – renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
What is a hydrogen fuel cell?
A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device that turns the energy stored in hydrogen into electricity. Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen gas is separated into protons and electrons. The electrons power the car's electric motor, while the protons pass through a special membrane. Oxygen from the air then enters the cathode to complete the process.
How does a hydrogen engine work?
While a hydrogen fuel cell acts as the engine, it relies on other key parts of the car to convert that power into motion. Unlike a traditional petrol engine with car pistons and a camshaft, a hydrogen car uses an electric motor.
Just as a petrol engine turns the crankshaft, the hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity that powers the electric motor. This motor then turns the wheels, propelling the car forward.
Even though the fuel cell is the main source of power, hydrogen cars often use a small battery pack. This car battery can store excess energy recovered during braking, or provide extra bursts of power when needed. It can also be used to power auxiliary functions such as lighting and electronics.
In a conventional petrol engine, pistons in cylinders are driven up and down by the force of exploding fuel. The car camshaft precisely times the opening and closing of valves that control the intake of air and fuel and the exhaust of burnt gases and the electric motor takes over the role of propulsion.
Hydrogen fuel: advantages and disadvantages
Hydrogen fuel cells offer several compelling advantages over traditional combustion engines. Firstly, they boast zero emissions. This not only contributes to cleaner air quality but also plays a significant role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, fuel cells exhibit high energy conversion efficiency, meaning they can effectively convert hydrogen fuel into electricity with minimal waste.
Disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells
Despite the promising advantages of hydrogen fuel cell technology, several challenges currently hinder its widespread adoption. One significant challenge is the lack of infrastructure for the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen. Furthermore, the current methods of hydrogen production often rely on fossil fuels, such as natural gas, which compromises the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cells.
The energy-intensive nature of hydrogen production exacerbates this issue, highlighting the need for more sustainable and efficient methods of hydrogen generation to realise the full potential of hydrogen as a clean energy solution.
Advantages of Using Hydrogen as a Fuel
Hydrogen's potential for distributed production allows for localised energy generation, reducing dependence on centralised power grids and increasing overall energy resilience. As the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen offers a virtually limitless and versatile fuel source.
Disadvantages of hydrogen fuel
Storing enough hydrogen to power a car for a long distance is difficult due to the low energy density of the gas. This requires bulky high-pressure tanks, which add complexity, weight, and potential safety concerns to vehicle design.
