Most abundant element in the universe
Major component of all organic compounds
Highest energy content / unit of mass of any fuel
Lightest element - 14x lighter than air
Colorless, oderless and tasteless
Hydrogen
Atom One
negatively charged electron
One positively charged proton
Hydrogen as a Fuel
Hydrogen is chemically reactive which is why it isn't
found chemically free in nature
Energy is required to free hydrogen from natural compounds
Hydrogen is an energy carrier, a means to store and
transmit energy derived from a primary energy source The
most attractive feature of hydrogen is its electrochemical
properties which can be utilized in a fuel cell with
electrical efficiencies approaching 50%
How Do We Produce Hydrogen?
Industrial Process By-Product
Probably the most common method today.
Hydrolysis
Splitting the hydrogen atom free from a compound like
water.
Gasification
A process that utilizes extreme heat and pressure in
the absence of oxygen to break down organic substances
into hydrogen and by-products.
Pyrolysis
A process that utilizes extreme heat and pressure in
the absence of oxygen to break down inorganic substances
into hydrogen and by-products.
Most Common Waste to Energy Processes
What is a Fuel Cell?
A fuel cell is in a class by itself
A fuel cell is like a battery because it converts
chemical energy to electricity. Its unlike a battery
because it doesn’t store electricity.
A fuel cell is like an internal combustion engine
because it uses a chemical process to convert energy
from one form to another. It is unlike an engine because
it doesn’t utilize a combustive process nor
does it produce mechanical power.
A fuel cell is like a generator because it produces
electricity. It is unlike a generator because it doesn’t
convert mechanical power to electricity.
