Fuel cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical conversion
device can convert the chemical energy of the
fuels directly to electricity.
It produces electricity from fuel (on the anode
side) and an oxidant (on the cathode side),
which react in the presence of an electrolyte.
The reactants flow into the cell, and the
reaction products flow out of it, while the
electrolyte remains within it.
Fuel cells can operate continuously as long as
the necessary flows are maintained.
Many combinations of fuel and oxidant are
possible. A hydrogen cell uses hydrogen
as fuel and oxygen (usually from air) as
oxidant.
Other fuels include hydrocarbons like
butane, propane and methyl alcohol.
Other oxidants include air, chlorine and
chlorine dioxide
Fuel Cells are classified primarily by the kind of
electrolyte they employ.
This determines the kind of chemical reactions that
take place in the cell, the kind of catalysts required, the
temperature range in which the cell operates, the fuel
required, and other factors.
Types of Fuel Cells
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)
Alkaline
Phosphoric Acid
Direct Methanol
Molten Carbonate
Solid Oxide
The electrode (catalyst) typically comprises
graphite impregnated with finely divided
platinum or a platinum group metal or
platinum- silver or nickel alloy.
The electrodes must be
1. good conductors
2. a good electron sources or sinks
3. not be consumed or deteriorated by
electrolyte heat or electrode reactions
Hydrogenoxygen fuel cells
Based on the electrolyte:
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
(PEM) hydrogenoxygen fuel cell
Alkaline hydrogenoxygen fuel cell
At anode oxidation of hydrogen take place,
which oxidise hydrogen in to protons (H+)
with liberation of electrons and forcing the
electrons to travel though a external circuit,
hence converting them to electrical power.
At cathode, takes the electrons back in, and the
reduction of the oxidant (O2) and form oxides
O2-.
O2-combine with the protons to form H2O as
the products (typically simple compounds like
water and carbon dioxide).
Alkaline H2-02 fuel cell
In the alkaline H2-02 fuel cell: electrolyte is
25% KOH solution.
CELL REACTION
Anode: 2H2+ 4OH-(aq) - 4 H2O (l) + 4e-
Cathode:
O2(g) + 2 H2O (l) + 4e- - 4 OH-(aq)
Net reaction:
2H2+ O2(g) - 2 H2O (l)
As long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell,
the electricity flows out of the cell.
To deliver the desired amount of energy, the fuel
cells can be combined in series and parallel
circuits, where series yield higher voltage, and
parallel allows a stronger current to be drawn.
Such a design is called a fuel cell stack. Further,
the cell surface area can be increased, to allow
stronger current from each cell.
E cell (Theoritical) = 1. 23V
E cell (actual) = 0. 8 1V
Proton exchange membrane fuel
cell (PEMFC)
A proton - conducting polymer membrane is
the electrolyte, which separates the anode and
cathode side.
Ex. Cation exchange resin saturated with
water.
CELL REACTION
Anode: 2H2(g)
4 H+ + 4e-
Cathode:
(g) + 4 H+ + 4e- - 2 H2O (aq)
Net reaction:
2H2 (g) + O2 (g) - 2 H2O (l)
O2
On the anode side, hydrogen diffuses to the
anode catalyst where it later dissociates into
protons and electrons.
The protons are conducted through the
membrane to the cathode (multi-facilitated
proton membranes (MFPM)., but the electrons
are forced to travel in an external circuit
(supplying power) because the membrane is
electrically insulating.
These protons often react with oxidants
On the cathode catalyst, oxygen molecules
take the electrons (which have traveled
through the external circuit) and combine with
protons to form water in this example, the
only waste product, is water.
A typical PEM fuel cell produces a voltage
from 0.8 V to 1.0 V at full rated load.
APPLICATIONS
As auxiliary energy source in space vehicles,
submarines or military-vehicles
The wt of 250 kg fuel battery is sufficient for
15 days in space, but several tones of other
fuels are required for 15 days
In case of H2/O2 fuel cell, the product water
proved to be a valuable source of fresh water
by the astronauts
H2/O2 fuel cell
The world's first certified Fuel Cell Boat (HYDRA), in Leipzig/Germany
Type 212 submarine with fuel cell propulsion of the German Navy
Toyota FCHV
PEM fuel cell vehicle
A hydrogen fuel cell public bus accelerating at traffic lights in Perth,
Western Australia
With 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.
