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Hydrogen
Technology - General Information
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Hydrogen
was the first element to form after the Big Bang and is still the
most common element in the Universe. Hydrogen is a colorless and odorless
gas and the most abundant element in the universe. Hydrogen as a fuel
can be obtained from natural gas, methanol, or petroleum. Hydrogen
is the ultimate fuel; it has no harmful environmental effects. |
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Principle
of operation of a fuel cell
Electricity is directly generated by the use of Hydrogen and Oxygen
in an electrochemical process. And the only product is WATER. Heat
and pure water vapour are the only by-products from the fuel cells
electrochemical reaction.
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The
components of a fuel cell
A fuel cell is an electrical cell. It consists of two electrodes,
Anode (1) and Cathode (2), and the electrolyte (3). The electrolyte
is bonded to the electrodes. The anode is supplied with the fuel (Hydrogen,
H/C natural or coal gas) and the cathode with the oxidant (Oxygen).
At the anode Hydrogen molecules are oxidized to positively charged
hydrogen ions, releasing electrons. The electrons flow through the
external circuit to the cathode producing in this way electric current.
The Hydrogen cations diffuse through the electrolyte to the cathode.
They react with oxygen and water is produced. Individual fuel cells
produce about 0.6 Volt and are combined into a fuel cell stack to
provide the amount of electrical power required.
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Proton
Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
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23°C 
Hydrogen Technology 
