Fuel Cell Potter

"Fuel cells, as they are being developed for the automotive and power industries, are devices that can turn hydrogen and oxygen into electricity without any use of generators. Pros of fuel cells This technology allows us the ability to safely use Hydrogen, one of the most abundant fuels in the world. It is cleaner It is cleaner than most other fuel sources. The output of most hydrogen fuel cells, in addition to electricity, is heat, water and very tiny amounts of other emissions like nitrogen dioxide. Less heat: more efficient energy conversion While the fuel cell does produce heat which can contribute to global warming, it is far less that the heat produced by conventional auto power plants. Besides, it is the greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide that are the main problem regarding global warming. Its a cycle Unlike with the burning of fossil fuels, the hydrogen and oxygen that the fuel cells use are not lost, but are simply changed into water. These components can easily be separated later on for use. Doesn't harm the environment Hydrogen can be acquired in any quantity without the need for drilling, mining or special processing. No natural habitat need be disturbed, no toxic pipelines are required. Cons of fuel cells Hydrogen, while plentiful, is very powerful and explosive. And while it is not significantly more dangerous than gasoline and other common fuels, it does take special procedures to store it effectively and safely. Hydrogen must be kept at very low temperatures, which is expensive. Fossil fuels can be kept safely and effectively at nearly any temperature that can be expected during storage. Requires energy to get hydrogen Hydrogen is not just sitting around waiting for us to bottle it up. Being the lightest of elements, any free hydrogen has migrated to the upper atmosphere. But due to its reactive nature, almost all naturally occurring hydrogen is found as the H2 half of the formula for water. This bond must be broken before you can