Fuel Cell Technology
Better performing fuel cells with Freudenberg
Freudenberg is always at the cutting edge of technology research and strives for new ways to make mobility even more efficient, safe and affordable.
In addition to previous achievements in fuel cell research, Freudenberg has recently made many important breakthroughs that benefit current and future products.
How a fuel cell works
Fuel cells work in a similar way to batteries. A chemical reaction between anode and cathode produces energy. Hydrogen and oxygen are the necessary substances for the chemical reaction in the fuel cell.
The idea is simple: A separating layer - a membrane - separates two electrodes into two half spaces. Hydrogen flows into one; oxygen into the other.
The hydrogen is split into its components: two electrons and two protons. The protons are channeled through the membrane into the other half space into which oxygen flows. The electrons are diverted through an electric circuit to reach the oxygen on the other side where there is a shortage of electrons. Water is then produced from the protons, electrons and oxygen.
The circuit’s voltage is around 1.2 volts - about as much as in a small torch battery. Just as torch batteries can be connected in series to generate higher voltages, so it is possible with fuel cells. They need to be stacked on top of each other, which is called a “fuel cell stack”. Some 4,000 single cells are needed for a fuel cell drive of 80 KW; for 1 KW of energy for a house, around 10 to 50 single cells are required.
There are no waste products such as CO2, nitrogen oxide or fine particles. The only by-product is water.