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    Fuel Cells

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    haseeb jameel
    Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, without combustion. They have the potential to power homes and vehicles silently and efficiently. A typical fuel cell consists of an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte, with a catalyst promoting the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. While fuel cells have advantages over combustion engines in efficiency and emissions, challenges remain in cost and infrastructure for widespread adoption.

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    Fuel Cells

    Uploaded by

    haseeb jameel
    34 views16 pages
    Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, without combustion. They have the potential to power homes and vehicles silently and efficiently. A typical fuel cell consists of an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte, with a catalyst promoting the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. While fuel cells have advantages over combustion engines in efficiency and emissions, challenges remain in cost and infrastructure for widespread adoption.

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    Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, without combustion. They have the potential to power homes and vehicles silently and efficiently. A typical fuel cell consists of an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte, with a catalyst promoting the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. While fuel cells have advantages over combustion engines in efficiency and emissions, challenges remain in cost and infrastructure for widespread adoption.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    34 views16 pages

    Fuel Cells

    Uploaded by

    haseeb jameel
    Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, without combustion. They have the potential to power homes and vehicles silently and efficiently. A typical fuel cell consists of an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte, with a catalyst promoting the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. While fuel cells have advantages over combustion engines in efficiency and emissions, challenges remain in cost and infrastructure for widespread adoption.

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    Fuel Cells

    The Promise of Fuel Cells

    A score of nonutility companies are


    well advanced toward developing a
    powerful chemical fuel cell, which
    could sit in some hidden closet of
    every home silently ticking off
    electric power.

    Theodore Levitt, Marketing Myopia, Harvard


    Business Review, 1960

    Theodore Levitt, Marketing Myopia, Harvard Business Review, 1960


    PEM Fuel Cell
    Parts of a Fuel Cell
    Anode
    Negative post of the fuel cell.
    Conducts the electrons that are freed from the hydrogen molecules so that
    they can be used in an external circuit.
    Etched channels disperse hydrogen gas over the surface of catalyst.
    Cathode
    Positive post of the fuel cell
    Etched channels distribute oxygen to the surface of the catalyst.
    Conducts electrons back from the external circuit to the catalyst
    Recombine with the hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water.
    Electrolyte
    Proton exchange membrane.
    Specially treated material, only conducts positively charged ions.
    Membrane blocks electrons.
    Catalyst
    Special material that facilitates reaction of oxygen and hydrogen
    Usually platinum powder very thinly coated onto carbon paper or cloth.
    Rough & porous maximizes surface area exposed to hydrogen or oxygen
    The platinum-coated side of the catalyst faces the PEM.
    Fuel Cell Operation
    Pressurized hydrogen gas (H2) enters cell on
    anode side.
    Gas is forced through catalyst by pressure.
    When H2 molecule comes contacts platinum catalyst, it
    splits into two H+ ions and two electrons (e-).
    Electrons are conducted through the anode
    Make their way through the external circuit (doing useful
    work such as turning a motor) and return to the cathode
    side of the fuel cell.
    On the cathode side, oxygen gas (O2) is forced
    through the catalyst
    Forms two oxygen atoms, each with a strong negative
    charge.
    Negative charge attracts the two H+ ions through the
    membrane,
    Combine with an oxygen atom and two electrons from
    the external circuit to form a water molecule (H 2O).
    Proton-Exchange Membrane Cell

    http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov03/Fuelcell.institute.deb.html
    PEM Fuel Cell Animation

    Click on Diagram
    Fuel Cell Stack

    http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/photos.html
    Hydrogen Fuel Cell Efficiency
    40% efficiency converting methanol to
    hydrogen in reformer
    80% of hydrogen energy content
    converted to electrical energy
    80% efficiency for inverter/motor
    Converts electrical to mechanical energy
    Overall efficiency of 24-32%
    Auto Power Efficiency Comparison

    System
    Technology Efficiency
    Fuel Cell 24-32%
    Electric Battery 26%
    Gasoline Engine 20%

    http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm/printable
    Other Types of Fuel Cells
    Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
    This is one of the oldest designs. It has been used in the U.S. space program
    since the 1960s. The AFC is very susceptible to contamination, so it requires
    pure hydrogen and oxygen. It is also very expensive, so this type of fuel cell is
    unlikely to be commercialized.

    Phosphoric-acid fuel cell (PAFC)


    The phosphoric-acid fuel cell has potential for use in small stationary power-
    generation systems. It operates at a higher temperature than PEM fuel cells,
    so it has a longer warm-up time. This makes it unsuitable for use in cars.

    Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)


    These fuel cells are best suited for large-scale stationary power generators
    that could provide electricity for factories or towns. This type of fuel cell
    operates at very high temperatures (around 1,832 F, 1,000 C). This high
    temperature makes reliability a problem, but it also has an advantage: The
    steam produced by the fuel cell can be channeled into turbines to generate
    more electricity. This improves the overall efficiency of the system.

    Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)


    These fuel cells are also best suited for large stationary power generators.
    They operate at 1,112 F (600 C), so they also generate steam that can be
    used to generate more power. They have a lower operating temperature than
    the SOFC, which means they don't need such exotic materials. This makes the
    design a little less expensive.
    http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm/printable
    Advantages/Disadvantages of Fuel Cells
    Advantages
    Water is the only discharge (pure H2)
    Disadvantages
    CO2 discharged with methanol reform
    Little more efficient than alternatives
    Technology currently expensive
    Many design issues still in progress
    Hydrogen often created using dirty
    energy (e.g., coal)
    Pure hydrogen is difficult to handle
    Refilling stations, storage tanks,
    Fuel Cells
    Extra Slides
    Fuel Cell Energy Exchange

    http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/electrol.html
    PEM Fuel Cell Schematic

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