I have a project on hydrogen fuel cells and read that they use them in american space crafts. But i was wondering where does the water go and what happens to it?
its exhuast, it cant be re collected, at least not 100 percent a rocket engine runs on liquid oxygen, and hydrogen gas, when the burn its like burning gasoline but stronger and it has no carbon. its an external combustion engine though, that means all the reaction takes place outside the engine, or that the energy is vented straight out of the engine so all exhuast is just left, they could use some type of collector i suppose to reclaim the water, but it wouldnt be efficent
Liquid water makes excellent radiation shielding for spacecraft, as well as being drinkable. Depending on the fuel cell, the exhaust may emerge hot, and can therefore be used to heat the spacecraft, or vented to aid in cooling.
It can be pure enough to be used as drinking water for spacecraft crews. You will find the NASA website a valuable resource for your project. The NASA Glenn Research Center is investigating three types of fuel cells: proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), regenerative fuel cell (RFC) systems, and solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). NASA first developed PEMFCs for the Gemini mission, but because PEMFCs had water-management problems, alkaline fuel cells were used through the 1990s. Improved PEMFCs promise to be more powerful, lighter, safer, simpler to operate, and more reliable. They will last longer, perform better, and may cost much less than current alkaline fuel cells. PEMFCs use hydrogen fuel and produce only water--so pure that NASA plans to use it as drinking water for spacecraft crews. NASA PEMFCs may also produce electricity for spacesuits, airplanes, uninhabited air vehicles, and reusable launch vehicles.
