Re: Is this just a bunch of gas?
You can find great info on fuel cells here:
US dept. of energy click on the "how does a fuel cell work?" graphic. It's excellent.<br /><br />
Fuel Cell.org has good info on the many types of fuel cells being used and developed today.<br /><br />
Ballard is one manufacturer of fuel cell engines. See how theirs works.<br /><br />This technology is very important to us. Yes it still takes energy (electricity) to separate pure Hydrogen from water or another source but if all of the electric production and processing is being done at a few 'point sources' it is much easier to control pollution than the way we do it now, burning fuel in every single vehicle on the road.<br /><br />Pure hydrogen is dangerous. It wants to combine with oxygen in a bad way and just a static spark will set off a huge explosion wherever hydrogen and oxygen are able to mix freely. Remember the Hindenburg? Full of hydrogen, the US at the time were the only ones capable of harvesting helium and wouldn't let the Germans in on the secret. So they used a very light gas they COULD make. Some fuel cells obtain hydrogen from more stable fuels that are rich in hydrogen like methane. Much safer to store. And we're harvesting the stuff from landfills!<br /><br />Fuel cells are much more efficient than internal combustion engines for several reasons. An IC engine burns fuel in order to unleash energy end convert it into mechanical torque. Even in the cleanest engines the combustion is incomplete and some of the fuel is going out the tailpipes. A lot of the energy realeased from the fuel is in the forms of sound, light and heat. Engines (and drivetrains) have many moving parts which require a percentage of the fuel's energy to be moved, more losses. Engines need to keep running whether or not the vehicle needs it's output, it is burning fuel (and making pollution) while you are sitting at lights, coasting downhill, warming up the car in winter, etc.<br /><br />A fuel cell is essentially consuming fuel the same as an IC engine but in a much more controlled manner. Instead of only harnessing the "fat" part of the combustion like an IC engine, fuel cells are scavenging every single electron produced by a slowed down reaction of hydrogen with oxygen. A little waste heat is produced by the reaction so some energy is lost there but only a minuscule fracton of that lost in an IC engine. All hydrogen is used in the reaction, nothing goes out the exhaust unused. There are no moving parts in a fuel cell, no mechanical losses, no noise. Fuel cells only need to work when power is needed. Electric motors will provide propulsion for fuel cell vehicles. An electric motor can be direct drive at the wheels which would eliminate hundreds of moving parts, even brakes because the motors can provide braking while generating electricity (regenerative braking). Electric motors provide maximum torque at zero RPM. This means instantaneous accelaration from a standstill without the motor running. Vehicles will have electric heaters which will mean you can defrost them without an engine running.<br /><br />GM has developed a prototype car that uses a fuel cell and a direct drive electric motor at each wheel for true all wheel drive and braking. This car's driveline is electronically controlled to obtain maximum traction and efficiency at all times during acceleration, cruising and braking. It has no clutches, transmissions, transfer cases, viscious couplings, drive-shafts, brake rotors or pads. It is light, simple and nearly maintenance free.<br /><br />Honda has a prototype car that uses (for now) a small IC engine and generator to produce electricity which is directed to a battery and a super-capacitor that can store and release large amounts of electricity rapidly. The electricity drives electric motors for vehicle propulsion. This car gets 65 MPG and produces over ONE THOUSAND wheel horsepower. Read that last sentence again
The high output at the wheel is due to the capacitor's ability to release a lot of stored energy on demand. Many think the little IC engine and generator will be replaced with some type of fuel cell.<br /><br />With all of the advantages fuel cells and electric motors promise in efficiency and simplicity you'd think they would be everywhere already (there is a test market in L.A. CA). Keep in mind though, our govt. is influenced heavily by lobbyists for longstanding fuel and auto manufacturing industries that involve literally thousands of companies that could be threatened by a loss of demand for their products and services. Fuel cell technology is a minor market today and has virtually no representation in politics. Unfortunate but true. I believe 100% in this technology and support it all the way.
