Fuel Cell or Battery Essay -- Environment, Carbon Pollution

IntroductionAn increase of carbon pollution around the world has called for better options for the future of motoring. The two types of motoring options which have been create are the enthalpy fuel mobile phone and electric battery vehicles. Both of which provide pros and cons within the system, on the environment and cost wise. Hydrogen fuel cell vehiclesA hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical cell which directly converts the chemical competency in hydrogen and oxygen to electricity with pure water supply (figure 1). In general fuel cells have a similar arrangement which consists of an electrolyte and two electrodes, but there are many types of fuel cells which are separate by the kind of electrolyte used (DOE goose egg Efficiency, 2006). An electrolyte is a liquid or gel that contains ions and can be decomposed by electrolysis and is present in a battery. The hydrogen fuel cell pathway consists of three conversion stages, the conversion of electricity to hydrogen, the conv ersion of hydrogen back to electricity and finally, the conversion of electricity to mechanical energy (Stephen Eaves, James Eaves, N/D). A Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell is widely regarded as the most promising for light-duty pleaseation. Hydrogen gas flows through channel to the anode, where a catalyst causes the hydrogen molecules to separate into protons and electrons therefore increasing the production of energy (DOE Energy Efficiency, 2006). The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane also operates at a temperature of 50 coulombC and has a 5060% electric efficiency . (Bill Siuru, 2007) As the electricity production process is direct through an electrochemical device in a fuel cell, it never goes through the step of being a high-temperature gas through norm... ...drogen vehicles were to be more widely used, methods of producing hydrogen in a cost-effective way would have to be developed and producing enough to power an everyday car would also be a challenge (U.S. Departme nt of Energy 2010).Conclusion Fuel cells are clean, fuel efficient, and fuel flexible. Any hydrogen-rich material can serve as a potential fuel source for this ontogenesis technology. Although it is reduces carbon emissions new research will have to be carried out to ensure it becomes cost-worthy for everyday users. Battery powered cars are for the moment the most viable and inexpensive option however the carbon emissions are adding to the already thinning atmosphere. By implementing hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative for maybe large forms of transport there will be a significant reduction of greenhouse gases for everyday transportation users.