P K M Educational Trust ®
R.R. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
(Affiliated to VTU, Belagavi | Approved by AICTE, New Delhi & Government of Karnataka)
Accredited by NAAC with B+
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Seminar presentation on
“HYDROGEN FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY”
Presented By
ALBI K MATHEWS 1RI19ME003 Under The Guidance of
Dr. AMARNATH G
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CONTENTS
• ABSTRACT
• INTRODUCTION
• WHAT IS HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
• WORKING OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
• CHEMISTRY BEHIND THE TECHNOLOGY
• NECESSITY OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
• USES OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL & COUNTRIES USED
• IMPLEMENTATION COST & EFFICIENCY
• ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
• FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS
• REFERENCES
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ABSTRACT
• Hydrogen fuel technology is a promising alternative to traditional fossil
fuels because it produces clean energy with no greenhouse gas emissions.
Hydrogen fuel can be used in a variety of applications, including
transportation, power generation, and heating.
• The process of producing hydrogen fuel involves splitting water
molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolysis process. The
hydrogen gas is then stored and transported for use in fuel cells or
combustion engines.
• One of the main benefits of hydrogen fuel technology is its environmental
sustainability. When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen
to produce electricity, with water being the only byproduct. This process
is known as "cold combustion," and it produces no greenhouse gas
emissions or air pollutants.
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INTRODUCTION
• Hydrogen fuel technology is a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels
because it produces clean energy with no greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen
fuel can be used in a variety of applications, including transportation, power
generation, and heating. The process of producing hydrogen fuel involves
splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolysis
process. The hydrogen gas is then stored and transported for use in fuel cells or
combustion engines.
• One of the main benefits of hydrogen fuel technology is its environmental
sustainability. When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen to
produce electricity, with water being the only byproduct. This process is known
as "cold combustion," and it produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air
pollutants.
• However, there are several challenges to implementing hydrogen fuel
technology on a large scale. One significant challenge is the cost of producing
and storing hydrogen. Currently, the most common method of producing
hydrogen is through the use of fossil fuels, which is not environmentally
sustainable. Additionally, building the necessary infrastructure to transport and
store hydrogen is expensive and requires significant investment.
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WHAT IS HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
TECHNOLOGY?
• Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) are a type of electrochemical cell.
Hydrogen fuel technology is a type of alternative energy technology
that involves the use of hydrogen as a fuel source. Hydrogen can be
produced from a variety of sources, including natural gas, biomass,
and water through electrolysis.
• HFCs generate electricity by reduction and oxidation reactions
within the cell.
• They use three main components, a fuel, an oxidant and an
electrolyte. HFCs operate like batteries, although they require
external fuel. HFCs are a thermodynamically open system.
• HFCs use hydrogen as a fuel, oxygen as an oxidant, a proton
exchange membrane as an electrolyte, and emit only water as waste.
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WORKING OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
• Fuel (H2) is first transported to the anode of the cell. Fuel undergoes the
anode reaction. Anode reaction splits the fuel into H+ (a proton) and e-.
• Protons pass through the electrolyte to the cathode. Electrons can not
pass through the electrolyte, and must travel through an external circuit
which creates a usable electric current. Protons and electrons reach the
cathode, and undergo the cathode reaction.
• Oxygen gas is delivered to the cathode of the fuel cell, where it combines
with the protons and electrons to form water. The water produced by the
reaction is then expelled as waste. The overall chemical reaction in a
hydrogen fuel cell is: 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O + electrical energy. This
reaction is highly efficient and produces no harmful emissions. The
electrical energy produced by the fuel cell can be used to power electric
vehicles or provide electricity to buildings or homes.
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CHEMISTRY BEHIND THE TECHNOLOGY
Oxidation Reduction
At the anode of the cell, a At the cathode of the cell, a
catalyst (platinum powder) second catalyst (nickel) is used to
is used to separate the recombine the protons, electrons,
proton from the electron in and oxygen atoms to form water.
the hydrogen fuel. Cathode half- reaction:
Anode half-reaction: 4H+ + O2 + 4e- ➔ 2H2O
2H2 ➔ 4H+ + 4e- Eo = 0.68V
Eo = 0.00V
In electrochemistry, the Eocell value (energy) of a fuel cell is equal to the Eo of the
cathode half-reaction minus the Eo of the anode half-reaction. For a hydrogen fuel
cell, the two half reactions are shown above. So to calculate the energy of one fuel
cell, we need to subtract the anode energy from the cathode energy. For a HFC, the
Eocell = 0.68V – 0.00V which equals 0.68V.
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NECESSITY OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
Hydrogen fuel cells are a promising technology for providing clean and sustainable energy. Here
are some of the key reasons why hydrogen fuel cells are necessary:
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Hydrogen fuel cells produce zero greenhouse gas
emissions during operation, making them an attractive alternative to fossil fuel-powered
vehicles and power generation facilities. Diversifying energy sources: Hydrogen fuel cells can
be used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, electricity generation, and
industrial processes, providing a diversification of energy sources.
• Improving air quality: Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water and heat, eliminating harmful
pollutants that can cause smog, acid rain, and respiratory problems. Enhancing energy security:
Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources, including renewable energy sources such
as wind and solar power, reducing dependence on foreign oil and increasing energy security.
• Increasing efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cells are more efficient than traditional combustion
engines, converting a higher percentage of fuel into usable energy.
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USES OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL & COUNTRIES
USED
There are many different uses of fuel cells being utilized right now. Some of these uses are,
• Power sources for vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses and even boats and submarines.
• Power sources for spacecraft, remote weather stations and military technology.
• Batteries for electronics such as laptops and smart phones
• Sources for uninterruptable power supplies.
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COUNTRIES USED….
• CHINA
• JAPAN
• GERMANY
• USA
• FRANCE
• SWITZERLAND
• NETHERLAND
• CANADA
• DENMARK
• ENGLAND
• AUSTRIA
• BELGIUM
• NORWAY
• INDIA
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COST OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
1 EURO= 88.45 INR
(ACCORDING TO 2023 MARCH)
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EFFICIENCY OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
Hydrogen fuel cells are considered to be highly efficient compared to traditional
combustion engines. They convert the chemical energy stored in hydrogen fuel directly into
electricity through an electrochemical reaction, with water and heat being the only
byproducts.
The efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell is typically measured in terms of the ratio of the
electrical power output to the chemical energy input, expressed as a percentage. The
efficiency of a fuel cell varies depending on factors such as its design, operating conditions,
and the purity of the hydrogen fuel used.
The efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell can range from 40% to 60%, with some newer
designs achieving efficiencies of up to 70%. In comparison, internal combustion engines
typically have an efficiency of around 25% to 30%.
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ADVANTAGES OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
1. Environmentally friendly: Hydrogen fuel cells produce zero harmful
emissions, which makes them a clean and green technology.
2. High energy efficiency: Fuel cells can convert up to 60% of the energy in
hydrogen into electricity, while conventional internal combustion engines
have an energy conversion efficiency of only 20-25%.
3. Renewable fuel source: Hydrogen can be produced from renewable
sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, making it a
sustainable fuel source.
4. Low maintenance: Fuel cells have few moving parts and are therefore less
prone to wear and tear than traditional engines.
5. Quiet operation: Fuel cells operate with very low noise levels, making
them ideal for use in urban areas and other noise-sensitive environments.
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DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
1. Lack of hydrogen infrastructure
2. Need for refueling stations
3. Lack of consumer distribution system
4. Cost of hydrogen fuel cells
• 2009 Department of Energy estimated $61/kw
• Honda FCX Clarity costs about half a million dollars to make
5. Carbon cost of producing hydrogen
6. Problems with HFC cars
• Short range (~260 miles)
• Warm up time (~5 minutes)
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IMPROVEMENTS
1. Increased efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cells are already more efficient
than traditional combustion engines, but there is still room for
improvement. By improving the efficiency of the fuel cell, less
hydrogen would be needed to generate the same amount of power,
making the technology more cost-effective.
2. Lower costs: One of the main barriers to widespread adoption of
hydrogen fuel cells is the cost of producing and distributing hydrogen.
Improvements in technology could help reduce these costs, making
hydrogen fuel cells a more viable option for consumers and businesses.
3. Increased durability: Fuel cells can degrade over time, reducing their
lifespan and efficiency. Improving the durability of fuel cells could
increase their reliability and reduce maintenance costs.
4. Higher power density: Higher power density would allow fuel cells to
produce more power in a smaller package, making them more practical
for use in a wider range of applications.
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REFERENCE
The following data was referred from the following websites/resources:
• http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml
• http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/fuel-cell.htm
• http://www.energy.gov
• Chemical Principles, Sixth Edition, Zumdahl
• https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cells
• https://www.fchea.org/
• https://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/fuel-cells.html
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