Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Hydrogen
Fuel Cells
So far, hydrogen fuel has most
commonly been used in two ways. One
way is as powerful rocket fuel. The second
way is with a regular gasoline-powered engine
as you i nd in automobiles. (These engines are called
internal-combustion engines.) Today, scientists are looking at
using hydrogen fuel in exciting new ways, such as in a
device
called a
fuel cell
. Scientists predict that fuel cells could be
used in everything from transportation vehicles to cell phones.
Many engineers and scientists believe that fuel cells will be in
common use as soon as 2020.
Converting Energy
A fuel cell is basically an energy conversion device. This means
that it takes one type of energy and changes it to another
type of energy. Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to cause a
chemical reaction. The chemical reaction produces water and,
with it, electricity.
Fuel cells work in a way that is similar to the batteries you
might use for portable music players or l ashlights. A battery is
a sealed container with chemicals inside. The chemicals react
with each other and produce
electrons
. These are particles in
an atom that have a negative charge. When you use a battery
in something like a portable music player, the electrons travel
as electricity from one part of the battery through the music
