THE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL AND SECURITY LIGHTS - Hydrogen Powered Cars


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THE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL, HYDROGEN POWERED CARS AND SECURITY LIGHTS - A SIMPLE EXPLANATION

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A hydrogen car is one that uses the gas hydrogen as a fuel source. There are basically two ways in which hydrogen is used: 1. Hydrogen is converted to electricity through the process of hydrolysis, powering electric motors driving the car along. (SEE BELOW) 2. A conventional engine burns combustible hydrogen gas in the place of diesel or petrol. An adapted car engine drives the wheels around propelling the vehicle forwards/backwards, in exactly the same way as a petrol / diesel fuelled car. A major advantage of the hydrogen powered vehicles named above is that the only by-product is water.

THE EXHAUST OF A HDROGEN POWERED CAR - WATER IS THE ONLY BY-PRODUCT





THE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
A fuel cell is an essential part of a hydrogen car producing electricity to drive motors. It consists of three parts - the ANODE, CATHODE and CATALYST. Hydrogen is fed under pressure into the ANODE where it produces electrons and they are conducted through the ANODE and around the external circuit driving the motors. Water is the only by-product and this is produced at the CATHODE. One fuel cell is not enough to produce meaningful power, so cells are arranged in stacks The CATALYST is essential as it starts the chemical reactions necessary to ‘free, electrons, creating electricity.




HOW THE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL WORKS








MORE DETAILED DIAGRAM OF A HYDROGEN CAR



1. HYDROGEN FUEL ADDED TO THE TANK. 2. HYDROGEN FLOWS FROM THE TANK, THROUGH FUEL CELL (3) 4. ELECTRICITY PRODUCED BY FUEL CELL STORED IN BATTERY AND ALSO FLOWS DIRECTLY TO THE ELECTRIC MOTOR (5), DRIVING THE CAR FORWARD. 6. WATER IS A BYPRODUCT - EXITS FROM THE EXHAUST


Hydrogen fuel cells are now used in low power systems, such as security lighting. They provide a cost effective option, especially in areas where there is no electricity source. They are also silent, unlike those powered by a generator.






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