FUEL CELL

CONTENTS :What is fuel cell? Types of fuel cell Need of fuel cell Advantages of fuel cell Applications of fuel cell Fuel cell-Currently in use Disadvantages of fuel cell

WHAT IS FUEL CELL?

A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen & hydrogen, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are also sometimes used.

REACTIONS IN FUEL CELL

Anode Reaction: 2H2 4H+ + 4e

Cathode Reaction: O2 + 4H+ + 4e-- 2H2O Overall Cell Reaction: 2H2+ O2 2H2O

A single fuel cell consists of two electrodes an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte between them. At the anode, hydrogen reacts with a catalyst, creating a positively charged ion and a negatively charged electron. The proton then passes through the electrolyte, while the electron travels through a circuit, creating a current. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the ion and electron, forming water and useful heat. This single cell generates about 0.7 volts, just about enough to power a single light bulb. When cells are stacked in series the output increases, resulting in fuel cells anywhere from several watts to multiple megawatts.

Types of fuel cells:

The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells Solid Oxide Fuel cells (SOFC) Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)

NEED OF FUEL CELL

Depletion of Fossil Fuels. Clean & quite operation Reliability of supply. Economic considerations. No global warming gases.

ADVANTAGES OF FUEL CELL

high operating efficiency (40-60%) reliability Higher potential capability. best for residential and commercial applications due to low operating temperature, quick start up and high power density. fuel cell based distributed generation can be placed anywhere in the system to upgrade system integrity, reliability and efficiency.

APPLICATIONS OF FUEL CELL:1.For electric power generation 2.In automobiles(Fuel cell electric vehicles) 3.In Buses 4.In Airplanes 5.In Boats & submarines 6. Telecommunication equipment and modern naval ships. 7. Hybrid vehicles, pairing the fuel cell with either an ICE or a battery.

Applications of Fuel Cell in

DISTRIBUTED POWER GENERATION

Grid connected applications Non-Grid connected applications Residential Power Portable Power

Automobiles [Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)]

A fuel cell electric vehicle running on compressed gaseous hydrogen produced from natural gas could use about 40% less energy and emit 45% less greenhouse gasses than an internal combustion vehicle.

FUEL CELL-Currently in

use

: A fuel-cell distributed power plant. This unit, produced by Ballard Power provides 250 kilowatts heat and electricity which is enough power for an industry, a school or a community of up to 50 homes.

IN BUSES
Fuel cell buses have a 39141% higher fuel economy than diesel buses and natural gas buses There are over 100 fuel cell buses deployed around the world today.

OBSTACLES
Its output is DC. With the increase in load ,its voltage reduces.

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