A Hydrogen Fuel Cell converts Hydrogen cells and pure water into consistent Power that is channelled directly to the Load Source through a process called electrolysis
Hydrogen Fuel Cells produce completely green power with a small amount of pure water being the only emission. They produce minimal noise emissions due to no combustion of fuel process taking place.
The most common method of extracting energy from hydrogen is with a fuel cell. Currently, the most common type is the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In a PEM fuel cell, the flow of hydrogen and oxygen is separated by a membrane assembly. See Figure 1.
Figure 1 a) gas channels; b) gas diffusion layer with catalyst; c) membrane;
d) external load
The membrane assembly consists of the membrane and two gas diffusion layers that contain the catalyst (typically platinum). On the fuel side of the assembly (anode), hydrogen gas (H2) is split into its constituent hydrogen atoms by the catalyst (as shown on the left side of Figure 1).
The hydrogen atoms are stripped of their electrons leaving just protons. These protons are free to pass through the membrane, but the membrane is impermeable to the flow of electrons. The protons want to combine with oxygen atoms at the cathode to form water, but they lack the electrons to complete the chemical reaction.
This compels the electrons to go the “long way” to the far side of the membrane assembly (right side of Figure 1), through whatever electrical circuitry connects the two sides. These electrons flowing through wiring form an electrical current that can be utilized.
The waste product of this reaction is pure water, which is the primary state in which hydrogen is naturally found on earth.
For an active presentation of the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell please go the following youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MsG9REFN3s
Fuel Cell Power Module
