How Does a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Work?
3 Answers
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles operate on the principle where hydrogen molecules combine with oxygen molecules through combustion to produce thermal energy and water. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining liquid hydrogen with oxygen from the air. Based on this principle, hydrogen fuel cells can generate electricity to power vehicles, supply household or industrial electricity, or serve as mobile phone batteries. In reality, the process of refining hydrogen fuel is highly complex and energy-intensive. Hydrogen internal combustion vehicles differ from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles; the former are slightly modified versions of traditional gasoline internal combustion engines that burn hydrogen directly without using other fuels or emitting water vapor. The main issue with these vehicles is that hydrogen fuel is quickly depleted—a full tank of hydrogen can only travel a few miles before running out of energy.
As a car owner particularly interested in new technologies, let me explain how hydrogen fuel cell vehicles operate. These cars differ significantly from both pure electric and gasoline-powered vehicles, with the most crucial components being the hydrogen storage tank and fuel cell system. Before driving, we need to refuel the car with hydrogen, which is nearly as quick as traditional refueling. When hydrogen from the tank is delivered to the fuel cell stack, it splits into positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons with the help of a catalyst. These electrons travel through an external circuit to power the electric motor that drives the wheels, while the protons pass through a special membrane to the other side. There, oxygen from the air intake combines with the protons and electrons to produce only water vapor. The entire process is zero-emission and exceptionally environmentally friendly, offering quiet and smooth operation. However, hydrogen refueling stations are currently scarce, requiring careful route planning for long trips, though a single refuel can cover over 500 kilometers.
From a professional perspective, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle powertrains primarily operate in three parts: hydrogen storage, power generation, and propulsion. Liquid hydrogen is stored in 70MPa high-pressure carbon fiber tanks. When entering the fuel cell stack, platinum catalysts at the anode split hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons. The electrons form an electric current to drive the permanent magnet synchronous motor, which is similar to the principle of pure electric vehicles. Protons move through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode and combine with oxygen, where air compression pumps are typically used to maintain oxygen concentration. This electrochemical reaction process achieves an energy efficiency of up to 60%, far surpassing internal combustion engines. However, the system requires precise thermal management design to prevent fuel cell stack overheating. I've seen some manufacturers also install multi-stage pressure relief valves on hydrogen storage tanks to ensure safety under extreme conditions, which is crucial.
