Table of Contents
Why is hydrogen not more widely used?
Why aren’t we all driving them? There’s virtually no pure hydrogen on Earth because it’s so reactive. Most hydrogen is made from methane [natural gas] in a process that produces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Hydrogen can also be made from water using electrolysis, but that requires electrical energy.
What are the limitations of hydrogen as fuel?
Hydrogen is a much lighter gas than gasoline which makes it difficult to store and transport. To be able to store it we need to compress it into a liquid and store it at a low temperature. The high amounts of pressure needed to store hydrogen makes it a difficult fuel to transport in large quantities.
What are hydrogen fuel cells used for?
Hydrogen fuel cells are commonly used for powering Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). FCEVs are electric vehicles that use the electricity produced by onboard fuel cells for powering their electric motors. Some of the currently available FCEVs include electric cars, buses, and boats.
Can hydrogen be used as a clean fuel?
Its potential as a clean fuel for electrical power via fuel cells is virtually unlimited, producing only water as its waste product. Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth, and along with oxygen, it makes up the most important chemical compound for life, water (H2O).
What is hydrogen used for in everyday life?
The most common use of hydrogen as a fuel is in hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells convert the chemical energy of hydrogen into heat and electricity and give water as a by-product. Hydrogen fuel cells have a very high efficiency (65\%) as compared to conventional energy sources like coal (33\%).
Is hydrogen the future of the automotive industry?
Its potential as a clean fuel for electrical power via fuel cells is virtually unlimited, producing only water as its waste product. Although hydrogen-powered engines were introduced in 1807, the chemical element fuel still has not significantly impacted the automotive sector.