Ballard Fuel Cell :: essays research papers

THE BALLARD FUEL CELLThe Ballard displace carrell is a power generating device which combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas, petroleum) and group O without the habituate of combustion in order to generate electricity. Since fuel cells operate very(prenominal) quietly and efficiently and their only emissions are pure water and mania they are expected to be the future of power generating machines.The PEM fuel cell is made of two plates with a plastic membrane coated with a catalyst in the middle. Hydrogen is then fed through the bring on iodine side of the plates and oxygen is fed through the new(prenominal) side. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms are drawn toward each other. Only one part of the hydrogen atom the proton can pass through the membrane. The negatron has to take the farseeing way around through an external circuit. This creates electricity. The oxygen side attracts protons and electrons that have traveled through the external circui t. This is where the byproducts water and awake are formed. Each fuel cell operates continuously as long as hydrogen is supplied. Single cells are combined to produce the mandatory amount of power.PEM fuel cells operate at around 90 degrees Celsius and demo off-key 90 degrees Celsius of heat, which is a fairly low temperature. This is much give away than high temperature combustion engines, which operate at about 2500 degrees Celsius and give off 125 degrees Celsius of heat. This means the Ballard fuel cell can react promptly to load changes and makes it ideal for motor vehicles. Which is why Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen Yamaha, Daimler Chrysler and Ford have tap the use of these cells.The cities of Vancouver and Chicago are currently testing Ballards fuel cell transit buses. They are seeing the maintenance requirements of the pollution escaped buses as well as the public reaction to the program.