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Fuel Cells

Fuel Cells. Fuel Cell - an electrochemical energy conversion device. To convert the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity. Battery : the other electrochemical device that we are all familiar.

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Fuel Cells

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  1. Fuel Cells

  2. Fuel Cell- an electrochemical energy conversion device • To convert the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity. • Battery: the other electrochemical device that we are all familiar. • A battery has all of its chemicals stored inside, and it converts those chemicals into electricity too. • This means that a battery eventually "goes dead" and you either throw it away or recharge it.

  3. For a fuel cell • Chemicals constantly flow into the cell so it never goes dead. • As long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell, • the electricity flows out of the cell. • Most fuel cells in use today use hydrogen and oxygen as the chemicals.

  4. Classification of Fuel Cells:According to temperature range

  5. Classification of Fuel Cells:According to Physical state of the fuel

  6. Types of Fuel Cells:Following fuels are mostly used in fuel cells:1) Hydrogen………2) Fossil fuel ……..3) Hydrocarbon fuel4) Alcohol fuel …….5) Hydrazine fuel…..

  7. Basic Configuration

  8. 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.

  9. 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).

  10. Proton-Exchange Membrane Cell http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov03/Fuelcell.institute.deb.html

  11. PEM Fuel Cell Animation Click on Diagram

  12. Fuel Cell Stack http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/photos.html

  13. It consists of three components - a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the two. • Oxygen from the air flows through the cathode • A fuel gas containing hydrogen, such as methane, flows past the anode. • Negatively charged oxygen ions migrate through the electrolyte membrane react with the hydrogen to form water, • The reacts with the methane fuel to form hydrogen (H2) & carbon dioxide (CO2).

  14. This electrochemical reaction generates electrons, which flow from the anode to an external load and back to the cathode, • a final step that both completes the circuit and supplies electric power. • To increase voltage output, several fuel cells are stacked together to form the heart of a clean power generator.

  15. 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%

  16. Auto Power Efficiency Comparison http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm/printable

  17. 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, …

  18. Fuel Cells

  19. Fuel Cell Energy Exchange http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/electrol.html

  20. PEM Fuel Cell Schematic

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