Great on gas, great commuting car. Car is in great condition with all highway miles for work. 
Condition... : Used
Home 
Alternative Fuel Technology Info Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Alternative Fuel Technology Info Hydrogen Fuel Cell
| Hydrogen Fuel Cell |
|
|
|
| Wednesday, 19 March 2008 | |
|
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
The concept of powering a vehicle through electricity created by hydrogen has been around longer than one would assume. The idea of a fuel cell was originated by a German scientist Christian Freidrich Schonbein in 1838.[1] The first operating hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was actually developed in 1860. Yet its true roots can be traced back to the mid 1800’s when Sir William Robert Grove, a welsh-born scientist, invented the fuel cell. When studying chemistry he experimented with a process called electrolysis. This proved that electricity could split the molecular structure of water into separate hydrogen and oxygen particles. Therefore Grove realized through basic logic that the reverse situation could also work. Yet the right method would have to be developed. This method would combine hydrogen and oxygen in order to create electricity. In order to accomplish this he went ahead and built the original gas battery which would later be called a fuel cell. This electro-chemical energy conversion device turns hydrogen and oxygen into water and in the process creates electricity. As long as chemicals flow into the cell (hydrogen/oxygen)-electricity flows out of it. That is precisely why it is a more efficient device than a battery. A battery can go dead. It can only use the chemicals it already has stored within to convert to electricity. Therefore it either gets replaced or recharged.[2]
A fuel cell’s infinite life span is only one good reason for car companies to concentrate more on the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology. Another is a commitment to zero emissions. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles would not emit any harmful CO2 into the air that we breathe. They would only emit water as a bi-product of the chemical reaction taking place within the fuel cell. Many of the major companies in the automobile industry have recently been advancing their fuel cell technologies due to the scarcity of fossil fuels and a commitment to putting more environmentally friendly cars on the road. They all have their own unique fuel cell systems, yet all of them share a common goal, a cleaner, greener tomorrow!
Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
· Zero emissions from vehicles. Beyond that, if we focus on producing hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, the emissions benefits are limitless
· Reduction in our dependance on foreign sources of fossil fuels
· Positive economic impact as hydrogen fuel cells could result in increased jobs
Drawbacks
· Hydrogen can be dangerous to transport. However, so is gasoline.
· The infrastructure would need to be built from the ground up.
· Vehicles are very expensive to produce at this time.
· Assuming that non-renewable sources of energy were used for the production of hydrogen, it would take more energy to create then would be created. However, renewable energy sources could change this.
GreenAuto Note: Two of our Partners had the opportunity to test drive a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the fall of 2007. They were both impressed with the performance of the vehicle and GreenAuto as a whole, is looking forward to seeing where this technology will go. Keep an eye out for the full write up on this experience, coming soon!
|
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|