Hydrogen+-+KS

Hydrogen -


 * What is Hydrogen?** Hydrogen is a simple atom that is made up of one proton and one electron. Its has almost an endless supply but doesn't occur naturally like gas on earth it has to be combined with other elements. It is an odorless, colorless and highly flammable gas.


 * What is a hydrogen fuel cell?** It's like a battery sort of device, it combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water. It changes the energy produced by a chemical reaction into usable electric power. Negative part about a fuel cell is that it only lasts as long as it is fueled by hydrogen, never losing its charge.


 * How does a hydrogen fuel cell work?** They are made up of three major segments, which are sandwiched together: the anode, the electrolyte, and the cathode.Two different chemical reactions occur at the interfaces, a place where two parts of the object connect or interact with one another. From the reactions that the chemical makes fuel is made, water or carbon dioxide is created, and an electric current is produced, which can be used to power electrical devices like fuel cells and this is normally called the load. The most important designs for the fuel cell to be functional is 1. The electrolyte substance. 2. The fuel that is used to work the object which is hydrogen but others can be used. 3. The anode catalyst, which is used to break down the fuel so that it separates into electrons and ions. 4. The cathode catalyst, which is used to turn the ions into waste chemicals like water or carbon dioxide.

//**Advantages**// -
 * Its leagues and leagues are less complicated than a conventional gas or diesel engine.
 * Does not reach high temperatures, corrosion does not occur and or no structural weaknesses found in other engines.
 * It will continue to operate indefinitely, without complication, as long as it has a fuel source but that's only in theory.
 * Runs in silent ways and its sole tailpipe emission is water vapor.
 * //Disadvantages//** -
 * Its use at energy plants creates excessive carbon dioxide.
 * Replacing the current oil-based structures with hydrogen would cost billions maybe trillions, of dollars.
 * The process is inefficient because although hydrogen is abundant it is hardly found in our atmosphere.
 * Concerns about explosions because the hydrogen flame is almost invisible.
 * Very flammable gas.
 * The hydrogen tank could be currently too large for the car according to the on-board storage.


 * Where would this be most useful?** In vehicles is where it would make sense to use it in.


 * How much would it cost?** If it were to be produce in large quantities and widely distributed like gasoline, the cost of it would be equivalent to $2 per gallon or less. Fuel cells are estimated to be three times more efficient as gas engines which in result means better mileage. Hydrogen fuel cells are quite expensive to produce and some are fragile. Its about $300,000 per car. While many designs require rare substances such as platinum as a catalyst in order to work to its full capability. Although they have done research and made some advancements to develop a new nickel-tin nano-metal catalyst which lowers the cost by a bunch


 * http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2008/01/11/hydrogenfuel-cells
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_vehicle
 * http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/hydrogen
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell
 * http://www.futurecars.com/futurecars/hydrogen_fuellcell_cars2.html