How does a fuel cell electric vehicle use hydrogen? Fuel cell electric vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen into electrical energy through a hydrogen fuel cell system to drive the vehicle, and its core process includes hydrogen supply, electrical energy conversion and power output.
Fuel cell electric vehicles are equipped with high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks for storing liquid or gaseous hydrogen. The hydrogen refuelling process is similar to refuelling a traditional fuel car, but it needs to be carried out at a dedicated hydrogen refuelling station, where hydrogen is injected into the vehicle’s hydrogen storage tank through a high-pressure line. Toyota hydrogen vehicles take about 3-5 minutes to refuel and can support a range of 650 kilometres.
The core of the hydrogen fuel cell is the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), which works as follows:
Decomposition: Hydrogen enters the fuel cell through the anode and decomposes into protons and electrons under the action of catalyst.
Proton transfer: protons pass through the proton exchange membrane to reach the cathode, while electrons form an electric current through an external circuit to provide electrical energy for the vehicle.
Oxygen Reaction: Oxygen enters the cathode from the air and combines with the protons and electrons to form water, which is the only emission.
The direct current generated by the fuel cell is converted to alternating current through an inverter, which drives the electric motor. The electric motor converts the electrical energy into mechanical energy, which drives the wheels through the drive train. Vehicles are often equipped with an auxiliary battery to recover braking energy, provide additional power during acceleration, and smooth the electrical output of the fuel cell during low power demands.
Fuel cells generate heat during operation and need to be maintained at a suitable operating temperature (usually 60-80°C) through a thermal management system. The Power Control Unit (PCU) is responsible for managing the distribution of power between the fuel cell and auxiliary batteries to optimise system efficiency.
How does a fuel cell electric vehicle use hydrogen? Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles have been used in buses, logistics vehicles and heavy duty trucks. Models such as the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo have been commercialised, demonstrating the potential of hydrogen in the transport sector.
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