HydrogenFuelCellTechnologyanditsEnvironmental.docVIP

Wendy Estela Pace University School of Law Environmental Science for Lawyers November 29, 2001 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology and its Environmental Benefits By the middle of the 21st century, the global community will be dependent on alternative fuels as energy sources. Alternative fuels, those that are not derived from oil, will have taken the place of fossil fuels in powering everything from automobiles, office buildings, and power plants to everyday household items such as vacuum cleaners and flashlights. Driven by environmental, health, economic and political concerns, the global community has been forced to begin developing technology and infrastructure to support the revolution fossil fuels to alternative fuels such as hydrogen. In particular, the world’s leaders have targeted the automotive fleet and the internal combustion engine. By replacing the internal combustion engine in automobiles with the hydrogen fuel cell, we could achieve zero emissions of pollutants into the environment. The transformation of the existing transportation system is key to solving many of the world’s environmental problems and significantly improving the quality of the air that we breathe. This paper will focus on the role that the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell, widely considered the most practical fuel cell, will play in the switch to alternative fuels. How a Fuel Cell Works A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and heat. It is similar to a battery in that it may be recharged while it is being used to generate power. Instead of recharging by using electricity, a fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen. Fuels cells differ from batteries in that a battery stores energy in chemicals contained in it, while a fuel cell acts as converter; reactants and products are in transit within the fuel cell (Hoffman, 2001). There are four basic elements of a PEM fuel cell: the anode, cathode, electrolyte a