We always wonder about how things work,our curiosity drives us towards new questions more specifically wired questions and then we begun to find the answer of these questions as of our new blog posts we have discussed about hydrogen fuel cars and their all kinds of features and aspects now many of you guys will think that Hydrogen cars emits water so can we drink water from itr???? In this blog we will discuss about it-
Although a hydrogen car emits water vapours it will be very hard to collect the water from the exhaust and drink the water, but you can theoretically drink the water produced by a hydrogen fuel cell car, as the only byproduct of hydrogen fuel cell combustion is water (H₂O). However, there are critical considerations to weigh before concluding that this water is safe and practical for consumption and you should not drink the water emitted by a hydrogen fuel cell car. While the water is clean and pure, it’s not intended for human consumption.
The water emitted by a hydrogen fuel cell car is primarily
- Distilled water (H2O)
- Small amounts of oxygen (O2)
- Trace amounts of hydrogen (H2)
- Potential contaminants (e.g., ions, particles)
Table of Contents
Comparison to Drinking Water
- Quality: Tap water and bottled water undergo rigorous treatment and testing.
- Regulation: Drinking water is regulated by health authorities (e.g., EPA, WHO).
- Safety: Drinking water is designed for human consumption.
Reasons you should not drink the water from a hydrogen fuel car
- Purity and Safety Concerns: Although hydrogen fuel cells produce water as an exhaust, it’s not necessarily pure or potable. During the reaction, various contaminants from the car’s internal components, such as metals and chemicals from the fuel cell membranes or catalysts, can leach into the water. This process can lead to a mix of trace chemicals that may not be filtered out effectively by the fuel cell system itself, rendering the water unsafe to drink.
- Lack of Filtration Systems: Most hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are designed to release water as a byproduct without additional filtration or purification stages. A vehicle is not outfitted with advanced water purification, and drinking water typically undergoes filtration to remove impurities, pathogens, and potential toxins – a process that hydrogen cars do not provide.
- Environmental Considerations: A hydrogen car emits water vapour, which in a closed, ventilated environment may appear benign. But, collecting this water for drinking purposes would require additional mechanisms that could impact the car’s efficiency, weight, and cost. Designing a fuel cell vehicle to capture, purify, and store water would demand resources and infrastructure that likely outweigh any potential benefit, especially given that hydrogen fuel cell cars are designed for mobility, not as potable water sources.
- Potential for Residual Gases: In hydrogen fuel cells, if the reaction is not perfectly balanced, there could be small traces of gases or other byproducts from incomplete reactions, particularly if the fuel source or cell efficiency varies. While hydrogen fuel cells are largely clean, any deviations from optimal conditions could introduce unintentional byproducts into the emitted water, making it untrustworthy as a regular drinking source.
- Reliability and Practicality: From a practical standpoint, treating a vehicle’s exhaust as a drinking water source introduces reliability concerns. The volume of water produced may be minimal and variable depending on driving conditions, making it an unreliable hydration source. Moreover, temperature and driving patterns affect how much water vapour is emitted, so relying on this for drinking would not be practical or consistent.
Conclusion
To sum up, while hydrogen fuel cell cars do produce water as their only exhaust, this water is not suitable for drinking without careful consideration. The water may carry contaminants from the car’s fuel cell components, such as traces of metals or chemicals, making it potentially unsafe. Moreover, unlike drinking water, the water from these vehicles doesn’t go through filtration or purification. Collecting this water for drinking would also require additional systems, adding weight and complexity to the car, which goes against its purpose as an efficient, clean vehicle.
Furthermore, the volume of water produced by hydrogen cars is inconsistent and depends on driving patterns, making it an unreliable source. Given these factors, it’s best to view the water produced by hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as an emission rather than as a drinking resource.
