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Submitted by Guided by

Riken Mehta Prof. H.P.PATEL


INTRODUCTION
Fuel cell produce electricity by utilizing an
electrochemical reaction to combine hydrogen
ions with oxygen atoms.

Fuel cell that uses fuel to create chemical


reactions that produce either hydrogen- or
oxygen- bearing ions at one of the cell’s two
electrodes.

The result is an electric current flowing


between both electrodes plus the generation
of waste heat and water vapor.
CONSTRUCTION
 The anode, the negative post of
the fuel cell, has several jobs. It
conducts the electrons that are
freed from the hydrogen
molecules so that they can be
used in an external circuit.
 The cathode, the positive post
of the fuel cell, has channels
etched into it that distribute the
oxygen to the surface of the
Fig-1
catalyst.
 The electrolyte is the proton exchange membrane.
only conducts positively charged ions. The membrane
blocks electrons.
 The catalyst is a special material that facilitates the
reaction of oxygen and hydrogen. It is usually made of
platinum.
FUEL CELL PRINCIPLES
 The basic principle of a fuel cell is a
chemical reaction between
hydrogen and oxygen that produces
power and heat.

 The picture, next to, shows the


principle. Hydrogen and oxygen (air)
is supplied on each side of a cell.

 When hydrogen is lead to the first


catalyst layer, the anode, the
hydrogen molecules are split into
their basic elements, a proton and
an electron.
Fig-2
 The protons migrate through the electrolyte membrane
to the second catalyst layer, the cathode. Here they
react with oxygen to form water.

 At the same time the electrons are forced to travel


around the membrane to the cathode side, because they
can not pass the membrane.

 This movement of electrons thus creates an electrical


current.
WORKING

Fig-3
 this Fig. shows the process that goes on inside an
individual fuel cell.

 The red Hs represent hydrogen molecules (H2) from


a hydrogen storage tank. The orange H+ represents a
hydrogen ion after its electron is removed.

 The yellow e- represents an electron moving through


a circuit to do work (like lighting a light bulb or
powering a car). The green Os represent an oxygen
molecule (O2) from the air, and the blue drops at the
end are for pure water- the only byproduct of
hydrogen power.
Types of Fuel Cells
 Fuel cells are classified primarily by the kind of
electrolyte they employ.
• Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)
• Phosphoric Acid
• Direct Methanol
• Alkaline
• Molten Carbonate
• Zinc air fuel cell
• Protonic ceramic fuel cell
• Solid Oxide
• Regenerative (Reversible)
POLYMER ELECTROLYTE
MEMBRANE
 These cells operate at
relatively low
temperatures (<80°C).
They are one of the most
promising technologies.
This is the type of fuel cell
that will end up powering
cars, buses and maybe
even your house. They
typically require very pure
hydrogen as the fuel.

Fig-4
PHOSPHORIC ACID
 This type of fuel cell is
available for commercial
use today. More than 200
fuel cell systems have
been installed all over the
world - in hospitals,
hotels, an airport terminal
and even in schools. The
operating temperature is
about 200°C.

Fig-5
DIRECT METHANOL
• These cells are similar to the Proton Exchange
Membrane fuel cells in that they both use a polymer
membrane as the electrolyte. However, in the Direct
Methanol Fuel Cell, liquid methanol is used as a fuel
rather than gaseous hydrogen.
ALKALINE
• This is one of the oldest
designs. It has been used
in the space program
since the 1960s. AFC
may well be one of the
first to be commercialised
for non-portable
applications. This is
mainly because they offer
the possibility of running
without Pt and hence
AFCs can be made very
cheap.
Fig-6
MOLTEN CARBONATE
• These fuel cells are best
suited for large scale
power generation, e.g. to
replace power stations.
They operate at 600°C so
the water produced is
emitted as very high
temperature steam. This
steam can be used to
power a turbine and so
generate even more
electricity.
Fig-7
ZINC AIR FUEL CELL
 In a typical zinc / air fuel cell, there is a gas diffusion
electrode (GDE) a permeable membrane that allows
atmospheric oxygen to pass through, a zinc anode
separated by electrolyte, and some form of mechanical
separators. After the oxygen has converted into the
hydroxyl ions and water, the hydroxyl ions will travel
through the electrolyte, and reaches the zinc anode.
Here, it reacts with the zinc, and forms zinc oxide. This
process creates an electric current.
PROTONIC CERAMIC FUEL CELL
• This is similar to the solid oxide fuel cell, but would
operate at slightly lower temperature (500-700°C). The
electrolyte allows the passage of protons (Hydrogen
ions, H+).
• Similar to Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.
• Not very developed, still in research stage.
Solid Oxide
 These fuel cells are best
suited for large-scale
power generation that
could provide electricity
for factories or towns.
This type of fuel cell
operates at very high
temperatures (up to
1000°C)

Fig-8
Regenerative (Reversible) Fuel
Cells
 Regenerative fuel cells would be attractive as a closed-
loop form of power generation. Water is separated into
hydrogen and oxygen by a solar-powered electrolyser.
 The hydrogen and oxygen are fed into the fuel cell
which generates electricity and water. The water is then
re-circulated back to the solar-powered electrolyser and
the process begins again.
 These types of fuel cells are currently being researched
by NASA and others worldwide.
Technology comparison
ADVANTAGES
 Zero Emissions

 High efficiency

 Rapid load-following

 Low temperatures

 Refueling time

 Reduced number of energy transformations


DISADVANTAGES
 Contaminants sensitivity

 High-cost catalyst

 New technology

 Ice

 Lack of infrastructures
FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS
 Applications for Portable and Battery Substitution

 Applications for Transportation

 Applications for Distributed Power


CONCLUSIONS
• Fuel cells are still a few years away from
commercialization on a large scale. It is very difficult to
tell which fuel and which technology will be predominant
in the future. There are some problems to be solved in
the SOFC and the DAFC. If these can be solved then
these will become the predominant fuel cells being
developed in the future.

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