Fuel Cells
What is a Fuel Cell?
Quite simply, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy into
electrical energy, water, and heat through electrochemical reactions.
∙Fuel and air react when they come
into contact through a porous
membrane (electrolyte) which separates
them.
∙This reaction results in a transfer of
electrons and ions across the electrolyte
from the anode to the cathode.
∙ If an external load is attached to this
arrangement, a complete circuit is formed
and a voltage is generated from the flow
of electrical current.
The voltage generated by a single cell is typically rather small (< 1 volt), so man
cells are connected in series to create a useful voltage.
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 (H2O).
Fuel Cell Vs. Battery
Basic operating principles of both are very similar, but there are several
intrinsic differences.
Hydrogen fuel cell Galvanic cell (battery)
∙Open system ∙ Closed system
∙Anode and cathode are gases in ∙Anode and cathode are metals.
contact with a platinum catalyst. ∙Reactants are internally consumed,
∙Reactants are externally supplied, need periodic recharging.
no recharging required.
Proton-Exchange Membrane Cell
http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov03/Fuelcell.institute.deb.htm
How a fuel cell works: In the polymer
electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, also
known as a proton-exchange membrane cell,
a catalyst in the anode separates hydrogen
atoms into protons and electrons. The
membrane in the center transports the
protons to the cathode, leaving the electrons
behind. The electrons flow through a circuit to
the cathode, forming an electric current to do
useful work. In the cathode,
another catalyst helps the electrons,
hydrogen nuclei and oxygen from the air
recombine. When the input is pure
hydrogen, the exhaust consists of water
vapor. In fuel cells using hydrocarbon fuels
the exhaust is water and carbon dioxide.
Cornell's new research is aimed at finding
lighter, cheaper and more efficient materials
for the catalysts and membranes.
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, …
