Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to release electric power and distilled water- its only byproduct. The world is paying close attention to hydrogen technologies, dubbed the ultimate clean energy. How is this hydrogen produced and consumed? Learn about how hydrogen is produced, how hydrogen fuel cells change it into electric energy, and how it works inside an FCEV.
How an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) operates
FCEV is powered by electricity generated from the electrochemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen. The only byproduct is pure, distilled water.
Extracted (reformed) hydrogen
- Yield from natural gas under high-temperature and high-pressure
- Most common hydrogen production method in the world
- Greenhouse gas (CO2) is also generated
- Capture CO2 and use for source of carbonation (carbonated drinks, fire extinguishers)
Byproduct hydrogen
- Hydrogen generated as a by-product of petrochemical process
- Common method in Korea due to highly developed related industries
- Highly economic to utilize byproduct hydrogen
- Limited production due to the process is not directly intended for hydrogen production
Electrolysis Hydrogen
- Hydrogen produced from electrolysis powered by solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources
- The most environmentally friendly hydrogen production method
- Higher cost than other production methods
- The desirable long-term production method that needs to be sought through buiding infrastructure
Hydrogen storage and transport after production
Hydrogen can be stored and transported in liquid or gaseous form, in pure form or as a chemical compound.
From a hydrogen station to an FCEV
Hydrogen is pressurized to a suitable pressure for use at the hydrogen station, then dispensed into FCEV hydrogen tanks.
How FCEVs get oxygen
The oxygen necessary to react with hydrogen is drawn from the atmosphere. Such air drawn into the FCEV passes through a 3-stage air purification system which cleans it of particulates, carbon-oxides, and other unwanted matter, leaving the air cleaner. In a way, it has an atmospheric "scrubbing' effect.
Fuel cells, the heart of FCEVs
Hydrogen from the tanks and oxygen from outside air meet in the FCEV's fuel cells to produce electricity and distilled water. The electricity is used as a power source, and the water is removed as exhuast.
How is an FCEV different from other green vehicles?
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles use both a combustion engine and an electric motor, significantly lowering emission levels over the traditional engine-only vehicles.
How is an FCEV different from other green vehicles?
EVs and HCEVs are environmentally friendly vehicles with no exhaust emission. FCEVs take it a step further by scrubbing the air wherever they go, and are considered the most environmentally friendly vehicles.
eco-friendly FCEVs
In 1 year, a medium-sized SUV will emit about 2.2 tons of CO2. Offsetting that with an emission-free FCEV can be the equivalent of planting 600,000 threes (a single tree absorbs about 35kgs of CO2 in a year).
eco-friendly FCEVs
Driving the FCEV for an hour can scrub enough air for about 42.6 adults. (calculations based on Hyundai NEXO)
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