Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Because of abundance in the universe, hydrogen is being replaced by rapidly depleting fossil energy sources such as coal and oil. The energy per unit mass of fuel for hydrogen combustion is 120.7 kJ / g compared to all kinds of fuel (Haryanto et al., 2005). In addition, fossil resources generate pollutants such as COx, NOx, SOx, CxHx, soot, ash and other organic compounds in the atmosphere during combustion, thereby increasing global warming. Hydrogen was discovered by Henry Cavendish in 1766 and named by Antoine Lavoisier in 1783. That name comes from "water" and "gene". It just burns water (Song, 2003).

What is a hydrogen fuel cell? Why will they become fuel for the future? Hydrogen fuel cells are mechanical devices that convert electrochemical energy in fuel sources such as hydrogen into electrical energy, the only byproducts are heat and water (Hoffmann 6). Every fuel cell has two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, between which there are membranes that can move electrolytes and ions (Sorenson 73). During their operation hydrogen fuel is injected to the anode side while oxygen from oxygen, typically air, is pumped to the cathode. Hydrogen molecules are dissociated, protons pass through the electrolyte and oxygen is added, and electrons from hydrogen molecules propagate through the external circuit to generate current (Brus and Hotek 22).

The fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell functions by passing hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell and oxygen to the cathode. At the anode position, hydrogen molecules divide into electrons and protons. Protons pass through the electrolyte membrane and electrons pass through the circuit and generate electricity and excessive heat. At the cathode, protons, electrons and oxygen combine to form water molecules. Fuel cells can also be expanded. This means that the individual fuel cells can be stacked on top of one another to form a stack, which in turn can be combined into a larger system. The size and power of the fuel cell system varies widely, from the portable system for charging the battery of the smartphone to the internal combustion engine of the electric vehicle, the large number of megawatt devices supplying power directly to the utility grid.

Production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is not too difficult. It is very difficult to store and transport hydrogen. Due to their efficiency, people are used to using hydrogen all the time. Hydrogen fuel cells are more efficient than hydrogen fuel rocket engines. Hydrogen fueled airships also provide greater lift than other gases. However, in either case, hydrogen proved to be a very impractical gas. But most importantly, since the Space Shuttle is an all-in-one solution, I will oppose the entire Space Shuttle idea. It should satisfy every possible need. However, almost all solutions are not good ideas. An example of the latest idea is that F - 35 fighters like Shuttle are trying to meet too many demands, eventually becoming very complicated and expensive.