Fuel cells are more efficient than conventional power plants because they generate energy through an electrochemical reaction rather than burning. They often serve as backup generators during peak demand and are also used in different modes of public transportation. In this blog, we will learn what are hydrogen fuel cells used for and how they work.
What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells Used for?
In fuel cells, electricity can be generated by combining hydrogen and oxygen atoms. These versatile fuel cells find applications in various sectors from powering spacecraft and electronic devices to domestic and commercial buildings, and vehicles. Now, let’s look at some of its major uses in detail.
1. Warehouse Management: Several large warehousing and distribution organizations are turning to these fuel cells to power clean trucks, forklifts, pallet jacks, and other equipment.
2. International Distribution: Fuel cells have the range and power needed for long-distance haulage and local distribution. Automobile industries are already manufacturing hydrogen-powered semi-trucks and vans.
3. Buses: Hydrogen power is being studied for use in different modes of public transportation, including fuel-cell buses. Several large cities have experimented with hydrogen-powered buses, including Chicago, Vancouver, London, and Beijing.
Cross-reference: FUEL CELL ELECTRIC BUSES for Zero-Emission Public Transit
4. Trains: Hydrogen fuel cell trains have now arrived in most of the developed countries.
5. Individual Vehicles: Major automakers are working on hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs) for personal use. Toyota Mirai, Honda Clarity, Hyundai Nexo, and BMW I Hydrogen Next are among the notable models.
6. Aviation: Several experimental projects have investigated the use of these fuel cells in aerospace. The long-distance unmanned vehicles used a hybrid system with fuel cells that were powered by solar arrays, enabling theoretically limitless day and night continuous flight.
Cross-reference: Could hydrogen-fuelled flights be a reality by 2035?
7. Generation of Backup Power: Stationary fuel cells are utilized in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems where continuous uptime is important. Hospitals and data centers are increasingly turning to hydrogen for uninterruptible power supply. It can also serve as backup generators which allows one data center’s server to function on nothing but hydrogen for two days.
8. Generation of Mobile Power: Hydrogen provides numerous choices for mobile power generation. NASA produced some of the first hydrogen fuel cells to power rockets and space shuttles in space.
9. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Many innovative applications of UAVs (i.e., drones), ranging from package delivery to search and rescue missions, are severely hampered by the power and range provided by standard batteries. So, both the military and private businesses intend to address these issues with fuel cells.
10. Boats and Submarines: Fuel cells are being used in a variety of marine applications, serving as an alternative to nuclear power systems. The Energy Observer, the first hydrogen vessel, even created its hydrogen for a fuel cell system using onboard solar panels and wind turbines.
Also, check out our blog: Hydrogen Energy: Advantages and Disadvantages
What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells Made of?
A fuel cell is made up of two electrodes, an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethanol, and other organic fuels can be utilized in a fuel cell to generate electricity. These fuels undergo incomplete combustion and emit heat as a by-product. Most of these reactions are redox in nature resulting in the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy and creating water and carbon dioxide as by-products.
How do Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work?
These steps provide a brief overview of how a fuel cell operates:
1. Hydrogen is introduced at the anode, and oxygen is supplied at the cathode.
2. In the anode, hydrogen atoms are split into protons and electrons.
3. Electricity is generated when electrons are driven through a circuit while positively charged protons travel through an electrolyte and a membrane to the cathode.
4. After making their way through the circuit and the membrane, the electrons and protons react with oxygen at the cathode, releasing heat and water as a by-product.
5. Since individual fuel cells are insufficient for powering either a modest electronic item or a huge power plant, these cells are stacked together to generate adequate energy for their intended purpose.
Also See: The Hydrogen Era: Insights into the Upcoming U.S. Energy Transformation
Comparison of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Efficiency Across Different Cell Types
The efficiency of various fuel cell types are:
| Fuel Cell Type | Efficiency |
| Alkaline AFC | 60-70% electric |
| Phosphoric Acid (PAFC) | 80-85% overall with CHP (combined heat power); (electric 36-42%) |
| Molten Carbonate (MCFC) | around 85% overall with combined heat power |
| Solid Oxide (SOFC) | around 85% overall with combined heat power |
| Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) | electric 50-60% |
Fuel cells are similar to batteries, as they can store and release energy as long as they have a supply of hydrogen. They have a range of applications including transportation and electricity production. However, scientists and engineers should consider the safety challenges associated with hydrogen. For more such informative content, keep scrolling through our website.
Recommended: Hydrogen Energy: Working and Uses
