Hydrogen+1

=HYDROGEN by ELLIE HURD, RICKY CLARKE, ANDREW BICKFORD=

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

__Definition__:

Hydrogen - The most plentiful gas in the entire universe, and is one of the most basic elements known to man. Its atoms only hold one proton and electron.

Fuel cell- is an electrochemical conversion device. Hydrogen cell uses hydrogen as fuel and oxygen as oxidant. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity.

__What is its source?__ Hydrogen can be separated from other elements in water, biomass, or natural gas molecules. The two most common methods for doing so are steam reforming and electrolysis.

Steam reforming: Used to separate hydrogen atoms from carbon atoms in methane (CH4). This results in greenhouse gas emissions.

Electrolysis: A method of separating elements by running an electric current through a compound. An electric current is run through water (H2O), and the hydrogen atoms are separated from the oxygen.

__How is this source used to make energy?__

A platinum electrode splits the electrons from the hydrogen. The resulting Hydrogen ion passes through an electrolyte to the opposite electrode. The electrons are captured and join with Hydrogen and Oxygen to form energy and water.

__What equipment do you need to convert the “raw material” into energy?__

Hydrogen is liquified and fed into fuel cells in a liquid state. The fuel cells can power electric buses, trucks, cars and ships.

__Give a real-life example of where it is used, and how.__

It is used in cars and trucks through fuel cells.

__List two advantages and two disadvantages.__

-environmentally friendly, bi products are heat and water

-expensive to switch, fuel cells are large and hard to get into vehicles

__The most unusual fact I learned was…….__

The first practical fuel cells were created for an American space program.

__Bibliography__ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3760/is_/ai_n8868142 http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/IntermediateHydrogen.html