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    Fuel Cells

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    Esha
    Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. A fuel cell has an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte. At the anode, hydrogen gas splits into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the electrolyte while the electrons flow through an external circuit, generating power. At the cathode, oxygen, protons, and electrons combine to form water. Fuel cells have higher efficiencies than combustion engines and can operate continuously as long as fuel is supplied. However, fuel cell technology is still expensive to develop due to design challenges and a lack of hydrogen infrastructure.

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    Fuel Cells

    Uploaded by

    Esha
    49 views10 pages
    Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. A fuel cell has an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte. At the anode, hydrogen gas splits into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the electrolyte while the electrons flow through an external circuit, generating power. At the cathode, oxygen, protons, and electrons combine to form water. Fuel cells have higher efficiencies than combustion engines and can operate continuously as long as fuel is supplied. However, fuel cell technology is still expensive to develop due to design challenges and a lack of hydrogen infrastructure.

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    Fuel cells

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    FuelCells

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    Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. A fuel cell has an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte. At the anode, hydrogen gas splits into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the electrolyte while the electrons flow through an external circuit, generating power. At the cathode, oxygen, protons, and electrons combine to form water. Fuel cells have higher efficiencies than combustion engines and can operate continuously as long as fuel is supplied. However, fuel cell technology is still expensive to develop due to design challenges and a lack of hydrogen infrastructure.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    49 views10 pages

    Fuel Cells

    Uploaded by

    Esha
    Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. A fuel cell has an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte. At the anode, hydrogen gas splits into protons and electrons. The protons pass through the electrolyte while the electrons flow through an external circuit, generating power. At the cathode, oxygen, protons, and electrons combine to form water. Fuel cells have higher efficiencies than combustion engines and can operate continuously as long as fuel is supplied. However, fuel cell technology is still expensive to develop due to design challenges and a lack of hydrogen infrastructure.

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    Fuel Cells

    What is the fuel cell :

    • Fuel cell is the device which converts chemical energy


    directly into electrical energy.

    • The reaction followed by the cell is thus known as


    electrochemical reaction
    Fuel Cell Configuration :
    • Anode
    • Negative electrode 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 electrode 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 (H2O).
    Proton-Exchange Membrane Cell

    http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov03/Fuelcell.institute.deb.html
    Working :

    http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/electrol.html
    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 of Fuel Cells:
    Zero Emmision: in the fuel cell byproduct obtaine
    is water only which can be used for drinking purpose.
    High Efficiency: as in fuel cell chemical energy is
    directly converted to electrical energy,efficiency is
    high.
    High power density: high power density allows fual
    Cells to be compact source of electricity.

    No Recharge: it does not require recharging. It works


    Continuously until we stop providing input.
    Disadvantages:
    • 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, …

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