Ameer Randolph
Fuel cells are an exciting prospect for the future of transport, with the potential to provide ecologically sustainable mobility. Hydrogen fuel cells, in particular, are being explored by car manufacturers such as BMW, who are convinced that hydrogen can make an important contribution to sustainable mobility. Fuel cells can be used to power anything from phones to cars, buses, and even spacecraft. This article will focus on how to make a fuel cell car, exploring the process of building a fuel cell and the costs and benefits of using hydrogen fuel cells in cars.
Characteristics and Values of a Fuel Cell Car
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power requirements | Determined by the manufacturer; depends on the size of the electric motor(s) and the required voltage |
| Fuel | Hydrogen |
| Fuel storage | Stored in gaseous form in thick-walled tanks to prevent uncontrolled reaction with oxygen |
| Fuel cost | Approximately 14 euros per kilogram of hydrogen; a fuel cell car can travel about 100 kilometers on one kilogram of hydrogen |
| Energy storage | Determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank |
| Power electronics controller | Manages the flow of electrical energy from the fuel cell and battery, controlling the speed and torque of the electric motor |
| Thermal system | Maintains the operating temperature of the fuel cell, electric motor, and other components |
| Materials | Platinum, carbon fibre cloth, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), rubber, silicon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester film (Mylar), metal |
| Assembly | Catalyst layers can be assembled through hand-painting, electroless deposition, mechanical deposition, or print screening |
Explore related products
$219.99
What You'll Learn
Understanding how fuel cells work
Fuel cells are a promising technology for powering cars, offering the potential for ecologically sustainable mobility. They are not a new concept, having been used in a range of industries for decades, but their application in the automotive sector is still relatively novel.
At a fundamental level, fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. This process produces water and heat as by-products, making it a clean and efficient form of energy conversion. The basic structure of a fuel cell consists of two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, separated by an electrolyte membrane.
In a fuel cell car, hydrogen is stored in onboard tanks, typically in a gaseous state, and is used as the fuel source. The hydrogen gas is fed into the anode side of the fuel cell, where it undergoes a chemical reaction, facilitated by a platinum catalyst, breaking down into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the electrolyte membrane to the cathode side, while the electrons are forced to take a separate path, creating an electric current that powers the vehicle's motor.
On the cathode side, the protons recombine with oxygen, which is typically sourced from the air, and the electrons from the anode, resulting in the formation of water. This water is then expelled from the system, and the heat generated during the process is dissipated through a cooling system.
The power output of a fuel cell can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the size of the electrode area. In practice, multiple fuel cells are often stacked together to increase the overall voltage and meet the power requirements of the vehicle.
Fuel Spit Back: Why Your Car's Engine Rejects Gasoline
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$204.99 $215.99
Building a simple electrolytic cell
Firstly, gather the necessary materials: 12 inches (30 cm) of platinum or platinum-coated wire, a popsicle stick, a 9-volt battery and battery clip, clear tape, a glass of water, table salt (optional), a thin metal rod, and a voltmeter. The platinum wire can be purchased from an electronics supply store, and the 9-volt battery and battery clip can be purchased at an electronics or hardware store.
Cut two 6-inch (15-centimeter) strips of platinum or platinum-coated wire. Wind these strips around a nail to shape them into springs. Cut the leads from the 9-volt battery in half, strip the insulation off the ends of the leads, and attach the exposed ends to the springs. Tape the springs to the popsicle stick, ensuring the stick is longer than the mouth of the glass. Fill the glass with tap water or salt water (distilled water will not work as it does not have electrolytes). If using tap water, add a tablespoon of salt or baking soda for each cup of water to ensure a good reaction. Stir until fully dissolved.
Lay the popsicle stick over the mouth of the glass so that the springs are submerged in the water, but the wires remain above the waterline. Tape the stick in place if necessary. Finally, connect the wires to a voltmeter or LED bulb. The voltmeter will show the electric current created by the fuel cell once it is activated. Connect the red wire to the meter's positive terminal and the black wire to the negative terminal.
It is important to note that this simple electrolytic cell is for educational purposes only and should be kept away from open flames or heat sources.
Best Fuel-Efficient Cars: Top Mileage Models
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Determining power requirements
One of the most important steps in building a DIY fuel cell is determining the power requirements. Fuel cell stacks can be used to power anything from phones to laptops, cars, buses, and even spacecraft. The power requirements of a fuel cell car will depend on several factors, including the size, weight, and desired speed of the vehicle.
The voltage required to power a fuel cell car will depend on the size and power of the electric motor(s). The vehicle manufacturer typically defines the power of the vehicle by the size of the electric motor(s) that receive electric power from the fuel cell and battery combination. The number of cells stacked together in the fuel cell stack is determined by the voltage required.
The amount of energy that can be stored onboard a fuel cell car is determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank. This is different from an all-electric vehicle, where the amount of power and energy available are closely related to the battery size. The energy balance of a fuel cell car includes the costs of compression, cooling, transporting, and storing the hydrogen. These costs can vary depending on the transport technology used, such as liquid or gas.
The power requirements of a fuel cell car will also depend on the efficiency of the fuel cell stack and the auxiliary systems in the vehicle. The fuel cell stack is an assembly of individual membrane electrodes that use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The power electronics controller (FCEV) manages the flow of electrical energy delivered by the fuel cell and the traction battery, controlling the speed and torque of the electric traction motor.
Additionally, the power requirements of a fuel cell car may be influenced by the use of regenerative braking and other energy-saving features. For example, most FCEVs today use the battery for recapturing braking energy, providing extra power during short acceleration events, and smoothing out the power delivered from the fuel cell.
Dispose of Old Car Fuel Oil: Safe and Eco-Friendly Ways
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing hydrogen safely
Hydrogen fuel cell cars have the potential to enable ecologically sustainable mobility, but storing hydrogen is more complex and energy-intensive than storing gasoline or diesel. Hydrogen is typically stored in physical form as a gas or liquid, requiring high-pressure tanks (350-700 bar tank pressure). The automotive industry primarily uses physical storage methods, with compressed hydrogen gas being the most common fuel tank type for cars, trucks, and buses. These compressed hydrogen fuel tanks are made from carbon fiber composites or carbon fiber and metal alloys and composites, with a high-molecular-weight polymer inner lining to prevent gas permeation. The outer shell provides impact and damage resistance, and the tanks also feature a pressure regulator and an in-tank gas temperature sensor to monitor conditions during the gas-filling process.
Compressed hydrogen gas tanks can also have different interiors, such as porous metal hydride materials that release gas when heat is added. However, metal hydrides are generally heavy, reducing the vehicle's range per liter of fuel. Another option is chemical storage, where hydrogen is stored on or within solids through adsorption or absorption, respectively.
To ensure safe operation, hydrogen in vehicles is stored in thick-walled tanks to prevent uncontrolled reactions with oxygen. These tanks have been extensively crash-tested and have proven safe, with no damage or hydrogen leakage observed. Hydrogen technology is not new and has been used safely in various industries, including refineries, for decades. Additionally, international standards like ISO 14687-2:2012 specify the impurities and levels that must be identified for hydrogen to be a viable fuel in FCEVs.
The cost of hydrogen storage and transportation depends on the technology used (liquid vs. gaseous). Hydrogen can be produced on-site, even at filling stations, reducing transportation distances. However, liquid hydrogen requires storage at temperatures below -253 degrees Celsius, and cryogenic tanks may have boil-off issues if the vehicle is left unattended for extended periods.
Mazda Cars: Fuel Efficiency and Performance Reviewed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ecological impact of fuel cell cars
Fuel cell cars have the potential to be a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. This is primarily due to their use of hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, as a zero-emission energy source. When used as fuel, hydrogen only produces water vapour as a byproduct, making fuel cell cars a key solution for reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change.
However, the widespread implementation of fuel cell cars is currently hindered by several technical and infrastructural challenges. For instance, hydrogen is difficult to transport and store, and the production phase of fuel cell electric vehicles has a large environmental impact. The hydrogen tank and the fuel cell are the main contributors to these impacts, with the tank being the first contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and the fuel cell contributing to human toxicity.
The environmental impact of the hydrogen tank can be improved through optimal design, and hydrogen can be produced anywhere there is access to electricity and water. As the infrastructure expands, transportation distances could be shortened, reducing the energy intensity of transporting and storing hydrogen. Hydrogen production can also be made more sustainable by using renewable energy sources.
Fuel cell cars also have higher manufacturing costs, lower energy density, safety concerns, and durability issues. However, technological advancements and policy interventions could help overcome these challenges, making fuel cell cars a vital component of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Overall, fuel cell cars have the potential to be ecologically beneficial by providing zero-emission mobility and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, their full ecological impact depends on the development of the necessary infrastructure and the use of renewable energy sources in hydrogen production.
Maximizing Fuel Efficiency: Simple Checks for Your Car
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Fuel cell cars are more efficient than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and produce no harmful tailpipe emissions—they only emit water vapour and warm air. They can also be refuelled in five minutes, as opposed to the lengthy charging time of a battery-powered car.
Fuel cell cars use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The hydrogen is stored in gaseous form in thick-walled tanks and is fused chemically with oxygen from the air to make water. In this process, electricity is released and used to power an electric motor.
To build a simple electrolytic cell, you will need 12 inches (30 cm) of platinum or platinum-coated wire, a popsicle stick, a 9-volt battery and battery clip, clear tape, a glass of water, table salt (optional), a thin metal rod, and a volt meter. Cut two 6-inch strips of platinum wire and wind the strips around a nail to shape them into springs. Then, cut the leads from the 9-volt battery in half, attach the exposed ends to the springs, and tape the springs to the popsicle stick. Lay the stick over the glass of water, so the springs are submerged but the wires are above the waterline. Finally, connect the wires to a voltmeter or LED bulb.
To make a fuel cell car, you will need to determine the power requirements of the vehicle. The number of fuel cells required will depend on the voltage needed. You will also need to ensure that you have a suitable hydrogen fuel tank and power electronics controller to manage the flow of electrical energy.
