How hydrogen fuel cell works | Fuel Cell Technology | Working principle

Summary

This video explains the functioning of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), focusing on the fuel cell stack, which consists of multiple fuel cells. It details how hydrogen fuel cells operate by splitting hydrogen at the anode into protons and electrons, generating electricity that powers a connected load, like a bulb. The protons move through a proton exchange membrane (PEM) to the cathode, where they combine with oxygen and electrons to form water, the primary byproduct. The video highlights the efficiency of FCEVs, emphasizing their clean energy potential and the recycling of unused hydrogen.

Takeaways

• 🔋 FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) rely on a fuel cell stack as their main power component.
• ⚡ A basic fuel cell consists of an anode, cathode, gas diffusion layers, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM).
• 💧 Hydrogen enters the anode from a storage tank, while oxygen is drawn from the surrounding air.
• 🔄 At the anode, hydrogen is split into two protons and two electrons, initiating the electricity generation process.
• 💡 The electrons flow through an external circuit, providing power to a load (like a bulb in the demonstration).
• 🌬️ Protons cross the PEM to reach the cathode, where they combine with electrons and oxygen to form water.
• 🌊 Water vapor and heat are the main byproducts of the hydrogen fuel cell reaction.
• ♻️ Unused hydrogen and oxygen are recycled, contributing to the efficiency of the system.
• 🔄 The overall redox reaction can be summarized as hydrogen reacting with oxygen to produce water.
• 👍 The video encourages viewers to like, share, and subscribe for more informative content.

Q & A

What is a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)?

A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is a type of vehicle that uses a fuel cell stack as its main component to convert hydrogen into electricity, which powers the vehicle.

What are the main components of a fuel cell?

The main components of a fuel cell include the anode, cathode, gas diffusion layers, a catalyst (typically made of platinum), and a proton exchange membrane (PEM).

How does hydrogen enter the fuel cell?

Hydrogen enters the fuel cell from the hydrogen storage tank through the hydrogen inlet at the anode.

What happens to hydrogen at the anode?

At the anode, hydrogen is split into two protons and two electrons by the catalyst, with the electrons flowing through an external circuit.

What role do electrons play in the fuel cell's operation?

Electrons flow through the external circuit to power a load, such as a bulb, and eventually return to the cathode.

How does oxygen enter the fuel cell?

Oxygen enters the fuel cell from the ambient air through the oxygen inlet at the cathode.

What reaction occurs at the cathode?

At the cathode, oxygen combines with the hydrogen protons and electrons to form water (H2O).

What are the byproducts of the fuel cell reaction?

The byproducts of the fuel cell reaction are water (which is released as vapor) and heat, along with any unused hydrogen and oxygen.

What is the overall net reaction in a fuel cell?

The overall net reaction in a fuel cell is the combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water.

What is the significance of the proton exchange membrane (PEM)?

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) allows protons to pass from the anode to the cathode while preventing electrons from doing so, which is crucial for maintaining the separation of charges in the fuel cell.