Hydrogen Fuel CellsHydrogen Fuel Cells

Student Prototype

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Project DescriptionProject DescriptionAfter completing the WISE 4.0 Hydrogen Fuel Cell project students will

create a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the hydrogen/oxygen reaction and hydrogen fuel cell. They must include several components:1. Explain the reactants and products of the hydrogen/ oxygen reaction with both picture and words.2. Provide an animation or picture of a Hydrogen Fuel with important parts labeled.3.Explain the chemistry behind the hydrogen fuel cell. This must include the reactants and the products.4.Compare and contrast the hydrogen/oxygen combustion and the hydrogen/oxygen reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell. Use at least one graphic organizer.5.Compare and contrast hydrogen fuel cell chemistry to gasoline combustion.6.Express your opinion on hydrogen fuel cell technology as it compares to gasoline combustion. Give advantages and disadvantages of each. Include at least one graphic organizer.7.Bibliography

Hydrogen/Oxygen reactionHydrogen/Oxygen reaction

reactants products

hydrogen gas + oxygen gas water + energy

2H2 + O2 2H2O + energy

H H

O O

H H

H H H H

O O

energy

Fuel Cell AnimationFuel Cell Animation

chemistry of a hydrogen fuel cellchemistry of a hydrogen fuel cell

The reactants (oxygen gas and hydrogen gas) and products (water and energy) of a hydrogen fuel cell are exactly the same as the normal oxygen/hydrogen reaction. The way in which the reaction happens is different. Hydrogen gas from the fuel tank enters the catalyst. The catalyst splits the hydrogen gas molecules into protons and electrons. The electrons are utilized as electricity. The protons go through the Proton Exchange Membrane. The oxygen gas from the air goes through the opposite catalyst and it is split into individual oxygen atoms. The electrons, oxygen atoms and protons rejoin to form water. Water and electricity are the products of this reaction. There is no explosive reaction involved with a hydrogen fuel cell.

Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast

reactants are hydrogen gas and oxygen gas

products are energy and water

normaloxygen/hydrogenreaction

hydrogen fuel cell

specificproductsInclude water, heat, light and sound

specificproductsinclude water and electricity

Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast

reactants include oxygen gas and hydrogen gas

hydrogen fuel cell

gasoline combustionreactants

include oxygen gas and gasoline.

Oxygen gas is a reactant

products include water and energy

Energy and water are products.

products include water, energy and

carbon dioxide

unburned fuel acts as pollution

Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages and Disadvantages

Hydrogen as energy source

Advantages- efficient, renewable, non harmful byproducts

Disadvantages – expensive, infrastructure does not support

Fossil Fuels as energy source

Advantages – infrastructure in place, easy to transport

Disadvantages – harmful byproducts (CO2), nonrenewable, not efficient, oil spills are damaging to environment

Express OpinionExpress Opinion

I believe hydrogen fuel cell technology is _good/bad_________ because…..

I believe hydrogen fuel cell technology is __good/bad________ because…..

BibliographyBibliography

1. http://zebu.uoregon.edu/2001/ph162/fani.gif

2. wise4.telscenter.edu