A fuel cell is composed of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. A fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode of a fuel cell and oxygen through the cathode. At the anode site, the hydrogen molecules are split into electrons and protons.
The protons pass through the electrolyte membrane, while the electrons are forced through a circuit, generating an electric current and excess heat. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules.
- HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS are Fuel cells powered by Hydrogen through a process called Reverse Electrolysis.
- So Hydrogen (Input) from TANKS, reacts with Oxygen (CATALYST) from Ambient AIR to generate POWER (OUTPUT), Heat and WATER. This is later exits from the Automobile Exhaust as pure water vapor.
Explaining More on the Electricity Part.
Electricity generated is utilized in TWO KEY WAYS.
It first powers the AUTOMOBILE ELECTRIC Traction Motor which GIVES MOTION and also CHARGES the AUTOMOBILE battery to be used as BACKUP source of Electric Energy. A significantly smaller battery compared to the one in EVs.
Hydrogen (when used as a fuel), like electricity, is an energy carrier rather than an energy resource. Both electricity and hydrogen can be produced from all energy resources available (including, natural gas, petroleum products, coal, solar and wind electrolysis, biomass, and others).