Figure 1 shows a simplified diagram of a typical fuel cell, which has three basic elements: Contact online >>
Figure 1 shows a simplified diagram of a typical fuel cell, which has three basic elements:
Home » Renewable Energy » Fuel Cell: Working Principle, Characteristics, Systems, Advantages and Disadvantages
A fuel cell can be defined as an electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy from fuel via an electrochemical reaction.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy from fuel via an electrochemical reaction. It offers high efficiency and zero emissions.
A fuel cell is different from the conventional methods of energy generation because, in a fuel cell, chemical energy is directly converted into electrical energy without intermediate conversion into mechanical power.
A fuel cell is preferred over conventional methods of energy generation because, in a fuel cell, zero combustion takes place. Thus, carbon dioxide is not produced.
Lithium potassium carbonate salt is used as an electrolyte in molten carbonate fuel cells.
A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction, not combustion. In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined to generate electricity, heat, and water. Fuel cells are used today in a range of applications, from providing power to homes and businesses, keeping critical facilities like hospitals, grocery stores, and data centers up and running, and moving a variety of vehicles including cars, buses, trucks, forklifts, trains, and more.
Fuel cell systems are a clean, efficient, reliable, and quiet source of power. Fuel cells do not need to be periodically recharged like batteries, but instead continue to produce electricity as long as a fuel source is provided.
A fuel cell is composed of an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. A typical fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode of a fuel cell and oxygen through the cathode. At the anode site, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons. The protons pass through the porous electrolyte membrane, while the electrons are forced through a circuit, generating an electric current and excess heat. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules. As there are no moving parts, fuel cells operate silently and with extremely high reliability.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device – it uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, heat, and water.
Due to their chemistry, fuel cells are very clean. Fuel cells that use pure hydrogen fuel are completely carbon-free, with their only byproducts being electricity, heat, and water. Some types of fuel cell systems are capable of using hydrocarbon fuels like natural gas, biogas, methanol, and others. Because fuel cells generate electricity through chemistry rather than combustion, they can achieve much higher efficiencies than traditional energy production methods such as steam turbines and internal combustion engines. To push the efficiency even higher, a fuel cell can be coupled with a combined heat and power system that uses the cell''s waste heat for heating or cooling applications.
Fuel cells are also scalable. This means that individual fuel cells can be joined with one another to form stacks. In turn, these stacks can be combined into larger systems. Fuel cell systems vary greatly in size and power, from combustion engine replacements for electric vehicles to large-scale, multi-megawatt installations providing electricity directly to the utility grid.
Listed below are a few of the most commonly used fuel cells and the characteristics that make them unique.
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) use a polymer membrane for its electrolyte and a precious metal, typically platinum, for its catalyst. What distinguishes these fuel cells from others is PEMFC''s ability to operate at cooler temperatures relative to other types of fuel cells, between 80 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Pure hydrogen gas is the typical fuel for PEMFCs Due to their use of precious metals and lower operating temperatures.
PEMFCs operate between 40% to 60% efficiency and are capable of handling large and sudden shifts in power output. PEMFCs are well-suited for cars and other specialty vehicles such as forklifts that need to quickly start up or accelerate. Additionally, PEMFC''s can be scaled in stationary applications for use in telecommunications, data centers, and residential markets.
PAFCs use a liquid phosphoric acid and ceramic electrolyte and a platinum catalyst. Theses fuel cells operate physically similar to the PEM fuel cell and at similar efficiency level. However, PAFCs run at a higher temperature, allowing them to handle small amounts of fuel impurities. PAFCs are typically used in a cogeneration mode to not only produce electricity, but also heat to be captured to assist heating and cooling. PAFCs are often seen in high-energy demand applications, such as hospitals, schools and manufacturing and processing centers.
AFCs are best known for their roles in the NASA Apollo mission to provide both water and electricity to the crew. These fuel cells use porous electrolytes saturated with an alkaline solution and have an alkaline membrane as the name suggests. The AFC is one of the most efficient types of fuel cells, with a potential of 60% electrical efficiency, and 80% to 90% in CHP applications. AFCs use hydrogen as a fuel source, though are highly sensitive and can fail when exposed to carbon dioxide, which is why they are primarily used in controlled aerospace and underwater applications.
Much like PEMFCs, Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) use a polymer membrane as an electrolyte and commonly a platinum catalyst as well. However, unlike PEMFCs, DMFCs draw hydrogen from liquid methanol, rather than use direct hydrogen fuel. DMFCs also run at relatively cool temperatures, between 125 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit. . Applications of DMFCs range from small electronics, such as battery chargers and laptops, to larger applications like stationary power for telecommunications backup.
The Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Connection is a monthly newsletter published by the FCHEA that highlights the latest industry news, government activity, and funding opportunities for fuel cell and hydrogen research, development, and demonstration projects.
The Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) is the leading industry association in the United States representing leading and innovative organizations advancing production, distribution, and use of clean, safe, and reliable hydrogen energy.
Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association1025 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Suite 1000Washington D.C. 20036(202) 355-9463 • [email protected]
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