5.2.4

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

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Hydrogen Fuel Cells vs Batteries

Hydrogen fuel cells can be used as alternatives to rechargeable batteries (and cells). They may be better than rechargeable batteries and cells because:

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Toxicity

  • Batteries are made from toxic metal compounds and their disposal can cause pollution.
  • Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen and the only waste product is water.
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Lifetime

  • Batteries must be replaced after a certain number of recharges.
  • Hydrogen fuel cells can be reused indefinitely by adding more hydrogen and oxygen.
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Capacity

  • Hydrogen fuel cells produce more energy per gram of hydrogen relative to petrol.
  • Batteries have a smaller capacity than hydrogen fuel cells, and so have to be charged more regularly.
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What are the risks of hydrogen fuel cells?

  • But, hydrogen has to be stored at a high pressure and hydrogen gas is explosive.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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