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Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Clean Water is the ‘Waste’ from this Alternative Fuel Source

Filed Under (hydrogen, hydrogen fuel cells) by cheryl on 08-10-2008

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Hydrogen fuel cells have the ability to combine hydrogen gas and oxygen in the presence of an electrolyte (an electrically charged particle) to produce electricity with water and heat as its byproducts. This type of power can be used for vehicles as well as energy carriers for homes.

Fuel cells generate power by converting chemical energy into electrical energy instead of by combustion, which makes it cleaner, quieter, and two to three times more efficient than burning carbon based fuels. This alternative energy has potential to replace the toxic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of fossil fuels with simple, clean water (H2O). Hydrogen fuel cell systems have been installed to power banks, office buildings, schools, hospitals, and are even used as supplemental backup for remote areas.
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History of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Fuel cells are an environmentally friendly source of energy that has been around for over 150 years. The first fuel cell was invented by judge, inventor and physicist Sir William Robert Grove in 1839 by mixing hydrogen and oxygen with an electrolyte and produced electricity and water. Almost 50 years later the name “fuel cell” was coined by Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer. Over the years fuel cells were tested and perfected using different designs and products to improve it. In 1959 Harry Karl Ihrig used a fuel cell in a 20-horsepower tractor thus making it the first hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle. NASA started using fuel cells for their space shuttles in the sixties and continues to use them today.

how a hydrogen fuel cell works

What’s Happening Now

The extensive research of hydrogen fuel cells prompted the creation of the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996, along with other state laws promoting zero emission levels for cars. Major car manufacturers are now working to make eco-friendly cars by having them run on hydrogen fuel cells. They would run on electric motors and emit water vapor. This summer Honda recently came out with their first hydrogen fuel cell car known as the Clarity FCX which is now available to the public.

To learn more about eco-friendly cars using alternative fuel sources and the most current happenings in the world of green energy research, come back and explore www.Duelingfuels.com often.

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Vegetable Oil as Fuel-Vegetable Oil Cars,Waste Vegetable Oil, Alternative Fuel Sources - Dueling Fuels | Dueling Fuels says...

[...] with being used as an alternative vehicle fuel, vegetable oil can be used to heat homes. This inexpensive heating option does have its problems [...]

Posted on: 6/Feb/2009@2:10 pm

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