This is a diagram of a fuel cell in a simple form.
This is a more detailed diagram of the flow occuring inside of a fuel cell:
In both Diagrams, energy is coming from Hydrogen and is passing through catalysts and onwards to the electrolye then through another catalyst and electrode before mixing with oxygen in the exhaust. Fuel cells get thier power from electrochemical reactions.
Types of Fuel Cells:
Phosphoric Acid cells are the most common type of fuel cell used in the automotive industry. They can operate at a temperature in the range of 400 degrees fahrenheit. High efficiency allows it to be used in large and heavy loaded vehicles.
Proton exchange membranes operate at around 200 degrees farenheit. They can vary their output quickly to cope with a sudden power demand, hence it is suitable for an automobile which requires quick starts.
Molten Carbonate cells are highly efficient electrical power units and have operating temperatures of around 1200 degrees fahrenheit.
Solid oxide fuel cells are used in high power applications such as industrial scale power stations. This type of fuel cell can generate up to 100 kilowatts of electrical power and has an effeciency rating of around 60 percent. The operating temperature can reach 1800 degrees fahenheit since the fuel is in solid form.
Alkaline fuel cells have very high effenciency of about 70 percent. However, the cost of of manufacture is so high that it is not applicable for commercial use
This is the basic layout of a hydrogen powered car:
Manufacturer's are starting to produce more and more Hybrid cars to answer the need for a more cleaner-burning vehicle. Some of these vehicles include:
Hydrogen-Powered Cars:
Hydrogen-Powered Trucks:
and Hydrogen-Powered Buses:
These vehicles get their power from engines like this one produced by BMW:
In times to come, Hydrogen vehicles are going to emerge out over deisel powered vehicles.
