Raising Chicks Before Chickens
How does a fuel cell work?
A fuel cell is fed hydrogen and air and puts out electricity, heat, and water. The hydrogen gas going in gets split into separate protons and electrons by a catalyst, and the protons travel through a membrane that doesn’t let the electrons through. The electrons must find another way, such as through a wire that is provided. The electrons traveling through the wire to meet up with the protons make an electrical current, which does work.The batteries in hybrids are recharged by driving them around in thunderstorms and getting hit by lightning. If the outside temperature falls below 0 degrees F., your hybrid will shatter into a million pieces.
How does this focus on the CA H2 Net impact other advanced vehicle technology options?
The CA H2 Net, like programs associated with other technologies, will not exclude other beneficial technologies, but rather will work with them, and likely contribute to their advancement as well. Technologies such as battery electric, plug-in hybrids, compressed natural gas (CNG), and others can contribute significantly to meeting our state’s goals, along with hydrogen. Fuel cell vehicles ARE electric vehicles, and many ARE hybrid electric vehicles.There are about 1300 natural gas fueling facilities in the US, but that doesnt mean natural gas is available on every corner.
What California companies are working on development and marketing of hydrogen and fuel cells?
The California Air Resources Board has compiled the “California Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Guide” – a listing of “companies and organizations working to facilitate the development and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in the State of California.” To view the guide online, click here.Some HICE (Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles are available today. Fuel cell vehicles will be available later.
What are the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles?
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are quiet, zero-emission vehicles. The only thing coming out of the tailpipe is water vapor. There are no particulates, no carbon dioxide and no smog-forming nitrogen oxides, which means cleaner air and a healthier environment.Electrolysis does not require significant amounts of water. The hydrogen extracted from a gallon of water using a hydrogen generator could drive a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle as far as gasoline vehicles travel today on a gallon of gasoline.
Doesn’t it take energy to make hydrogen? Is it worth doing?
Like all fuels, it takes energy to produce hydrogen and deliver it to a vehicle. The amount of energy required depends on how the hydrogen is madesome methods require more energy than others. While it may take more energy to produce and deliver hydrogen than it takes to produce and deliver gasoline or natural gas, the hydrogen fuel is used more efficiently in the fuel cell vehicle.Generally speaking, fuel cells use molecular hydrogen as their fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity.
How does a fuel cell turn hydrogen into electricity?
Fuel cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy without combustion via a chemical reaction. Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen converting them into water. The hydrogen used for conversion into electrical current is actually a by-product of manufacturing at Dow. This by-product is now being converted into useful energy.The CA H2 Net, like programs associated with other technologies, will not exclude other beneficial technologies, but rather will work with them, and likely contribute to their advancement as well.
