How hydrogen cars work

Derived from the energy source of oil, gasoline and diesel can start a car, but its use is very polluting. However, hydrogen can also be used to move a vehicle, since it is a fuel. But it is not a conventional one, but it is characterized by being clean and sustainable, because instead of CO2 it emits water vapor, which makes it an ideal option to respect the environment. And is that this gas, called H2, is odorless, tasteless and colorless, and is becoming fashionable at present within the automotive industry. This article tries to show you how hydrogen cars work.

Types of hydrogen engines

The process of operation of hydrogen engines has its origin in the chemical reaction that occurs after the engine is started. During this, the hydrogen is combined in a membrane with the ambient air, causing a flow of electricity that when directed towards the engine manages to start the car.

There are two types of hydrogen engines:

• Combustion: as in the case of gasoline, hydrogen is burned in the combustion engine. It is not free to produce polluting emissions, so its use is not the most recommended
• Fuel cell : when hydrogen is oxidized, electrons are lost that go on to function as electric current, circulating through the fuel cells that give motors motion, so this method resembles the operation of a battery. Unlike combustion, this system produces zero emissions

Therefore, the combustion engine burns hydrogen as if it were gasoline and the fuel cell converts hydrogen into electricity.

Combustion engines

This alternative energy works by burning the hydrogen in the thermal combustion engine, as would gasoline. However, in this case the levels of pollution in the environment are not reduced, and therefore the most appropriate is to choose a hydrogen car with a fuel cell engine.

Fuel cell engines

Producing zero emissions without emitting any type of waste (only water vapor), the fuel cell electric car transforms the hydrogen into electrical energy, which is directed to the battery and causes the motor to operate.

In this system the battery consumes a series of reagents that are constantly replenished. When the incoming hydrogen - the anodes, of positive energy - is mixed with the incoming oxygen - the cathodes, of negative energy - an exchange of protons is carried out on a membrane, while the electrons that are lost are directed to the batteries and from there, to the engine. On the other hand, this process releases nitrogen through the conduit of hydrogen and water vapor by the oxygen, but not carbon dioxide or other polluting gases.