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The extinction of non-renewable energy resources such as petroleum has forced scientists to come up with new and better alternatives.

After years of research scientists have finally come up with hydrogen car fuel. Although hydrogen is not an energy resource, it is an efficient energy carrier. It is by far the best alternative to fuel generated by fossil fuel and is more efficient than gasoline.

Hydrogen gas is not naturally found on earth however, it can be prepared from methane, non- renewable energy resources such as fossil fuels and some renewable resources such as wind and nuclear reaction to generate hydrogen car fuel.

What is Hydrogen Car Fuel?

Hydrogen is a compact energy source and is used to generate hydrogen fuel for cars. This fuel is filled in the cells or batteries of different vehicles to power electric motors or internal combustion engines (ICE).

Today, many companies are working hard to develop technology which can efficiently utilize this potential energy resource. Using hydrogen car fuels can dramatically reduce environmental pollution and dependence of different countries on imported car fuel.

Uses of Hydrogen Car Fuel

There are hundreds of cars on the road that use hydrogen car fuel. Moreover, many well known car manufactures have also handed over the hydrogen fueled cars to consumers for test drives.

At present, NASA is the largest consumer of hydrogen fueled vehicles. It is using hydrogen to power the electrical systems of its shuttles since 1970’s.

Other vehicles suing hydrogen car fuel are:

• Cars
• Buses
• Bicycles
• Motorcycles
• Fork tricks
• Tractors
• Airplane
• Rockets

 

Future Uses of Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen fuel is a comparatively safer form of renewable energy and causes no pollution. In the future hydrogen is expected to light up your offices and homes along with providing zero emission in vehicles.

Benefits of Using Hydrogen Car Fuel

The main benefits of using hydrogen car fuel are:

Easy Production

Hydrogen car fuel is easy to produce and can be prepared domestically. This decreases the dependency of a country on imported car fuel.

Environmentally Friendly

Hydrogen car fuel only produces nitrogen oxide when used in cars. Moreover, it causes no air pollution and is eco-friendly.

Easy Maintenance

Cars operating on hydrogen car fuel require less maintenance such as no oil change as frequently. Less maintenance means fewer visits to the garage hence reducing the overall operating cost of the car.

Challenges of Using Hydrogen Car Fuel

Apart from the advantages discussed above, there are some challenges for using hydrogen car fuel too. The challenges are:

Expensive Production

Compound hydrogen is the most abundantly found element on earth. However, the separation of hydrogen from its compound is expensive. Setting up plants to produce hydrogen car fuel requires a lot of investment. This is the reason it is available in limited cities only, abundantly inCalifornia.

Expensive Vehicle

Fuel cell vehicles (cars using hydrogen car fuel) are currently far too costly for consumers to afford. They are not easily available and only a few demonstration fleets have them.

Low Energy Content per Volume

Hydrogen produces less energy than gasoline or diesel on a per volume basis. So, it becomes difficult for hydrogen cars to go as far as gasoline cars can in the same fill up i.e. about300 miles. The work is still in process to improve the efficiency of this mileage.

Weightage and Storage Problems

Another drawback of hydrogen fuel is its high tank weight. A lot of storage vessel pressure is required to get stored, which makes the tank heavier. Moreover, the storage, filling and transportation of hydrogen car fuel is also a major problem.

Most of us have also heard of hydrogen explosions in cars due to hydrogen filled cylinders. However, now with the help of the latest technology, hydrogen can be stored safely after carrying out some tests on the tank.

Efficiency of Using Hydrogen Car Fuel

Hydrogen car fuel is 30 percent more efficient than gasoline when burned in an engine. Furthermore, the efficiency increases to 100 percent – 200 percent when the gas burns in fuel cells of a hydrogen power-driven car.

Hydrogen car fuel is also efficient when it comes to decreasing pollution. It does not produce carbon dioxide, the main reason for air pollution. Clean water and heat are the only byproducts of consuming hydrogen car fuel which are not harmful.

Hydrogen Cars Hydrogen Powered Cars Work

The world’s first hydrogen fueled car was BMW’s Hydrogen 7.Hydrogen cars work on the principle of a torch.

Fuel cells are responsible for producing electricity with the help of hydrogen car fuel which is used to run the engine of the car.

Components of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

There are many types of hydrogen fuel cells. However, they all share the following same components:

• Cathode
• Anode
• Electrolyte
• Catalyst

The Cathode is the positive pillar of the cell while the anode is the negative. The electrolyte is made of solid polymer and the catalyst is of platinum. Each of these components performs a different function which is further discussed in the working of a hydrogen fueled car.

Working of Cars Powered by Hydrogen Fuel

The following steps clearly explain the generation of energy through hydrogen fuel and the working of the hydrogen fueled cars.

• The process starts with the pumping of hydrogen gas in the anode of a hydrogen fuel cell.
• Then, positive cathode stores the oxygen from the surroundings
• In anode, hydrogen splits and breaks into electrons with the help of the catalyst. These electrons are passed into an external circuit and form current, which pushes the car forward.
• In the meanwhile, the untreated hydrogen and the electrons in the external circuit combine with the help of the catalyst. As a result, water along with some energy is produced as a byproduct which is environmentally friendly.

Hydrogen car fuel is here to stay. Though the technology is in its initial stage, there are potential chances that scientists will overcome the shortcomings of this system in near future. The day is not far when all the cars on the road will be using hydrogen car fuel.