ENVIRON 157 Lecture Notes - Lecture 27: Steam Reforming, Compressed Hydrogen, Fuel Cell Vehicle
Document Summary
A fuel cell uses hydrogen (or hydrogen-rich fuel) and oxygen to create electricity. Fuel cells are more energy-efficient than combustion engines and the hydrogen can come from a variety of sources. If pure hydrogen is used, fuel cells emit only heat and water, no air pollutants or greenhouse gases. Fuel cell electric cars are powered by the most abundant element in the universe: hydrogen. Although a fuel cell car runs on electricity, it does so differently than battery-powered or plug-in hybrid cars. In a fuel cell, hydrogen reacts electrochemically to produce electricity to power the car. Instant torque and smooth, consistent power: high-tech. Fast refueling (3-5 minutes: access to carpool lanes and other incentives, attractive lease pricing often bundled with free fuel/maintenance. Fuel cell cars are powered by compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell. Stack that doesn"t burn the gas, but instead transforms the fuel"s chemical energy into electrical energy.
