If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. They have been used for decades in the aerospace applications, and are now rapidly finding use in. Types of fuel cells how fuel cells work howstuffworks. An electrochemical cell is a device that can generate electrical energy from the chemical reactions occurring in it, or use the electrical energy supplied to it to facilitate chemical reactions in it. Discusses the basic workings of fuel cells and their system components, main fuel cell types, their characteristics, and their development status, as well as a discussion of potential fuel cell applications. Fuel cells from fundamentals to systems publishes on all aspects of fuel cells, ranging from their molecular basis including theory and with molecular processes at catalyst surfaces and microscopic processes in membranes to their application in systems such as power plants, road vehicles and power sources in portables. Box 880 morgantown, west virginia 265070880 november 2004. The following list describes the five main types of fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells april 5, 2004 gary flomenhoft, bsme, mapp, cee research associate gund institute, snr owner. The book analyzes the role of integrated ammonia fuel cell systems within various renewable energy. Others may be useful for small portable applications or for powering cars. Serious interest in the fuel cell as a practical generator did not begin until the 1960s, when the u. Protonexchange membrane fuel cells also called polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells pem provide a continuous electrical energy supply from fuel at high levels of efficiency and power density.
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. Therefore g represents the free energy or the energy available to do. Department of energy office of fossil energy national energy technology laboratory p. First fuel cellfirst fuel cell 3 in 1839, william grove, a british jurist and amateur physicist, first discovered the principle of the fuel cell. Fuel cells are unique in terms of the variety of their potential applications.
What are fuel cells used for, hydrogen senser, types of. A section is devoted to fuel generation and storage, which is of paramount importance for the practical aspects of fuel cell use. Fuel cell efficiency since fuel cells use materials that are typically burnt to release their energy,gy, y the fuel cell efficiency is described as the ratio of the electrical energy produced to the heat that is produced by burning the fuel its enthalpy of formation or. To learn more about this technology and other related topics, register with byjus and download the mobile application on your smartphone. Electrochemical cell definition, description, types. Aug 16, 2010 hydrogen fuel cells april 5, 2004 gary flomenhoft, bsme, mapp, cee research associate gund institute, snr owner. Fuel cell handbook national energy technology laboratory. Fuel cells are among the promising technologies that are expected to transform our energy sector. Major types of fuel cells in general all fuel cells have the same basic configuration an electrolyte and two electrodes different types of fuel cells are classified by the kind of electrolyte used the type of electrolyte used determines the kind of chemical reactions that take place and the temperature range of operation major types of fuel cells. If hydrogen is the fuel, electricity, water, and heat are the only products. Fuel cells require relatively pure fuel, free of specific con taminants. Fuel cells and storage fundamentals and applications covers the basics of portable fuel cells, their types, possibilities for fuel storage, in particular for hydrogen as fuel, and their potential application.
Figure 48 irfree electrode performance with o2 and air in 9 n koh at 55 to 60 c. Fuel cell systems are a clean, efficient, reliable, and quiet source of power. Fuel cells directly and efficiently convert chemical energy to electrical energy1. Grove utilized four cells, each containing hydrogen and oxygen, to produce electric power which was then used to split the water in the smaller upper cell into hydrogen and oxygen. Fuel cell seminar report with ppt and pdf parts of fuel cells there are 4 main parts anode cathode catalyst proton exchange membrane types of. Half cells and cell potential types of electrochemical cells applications of electrochemical cells. Although fuel cells are an essentially pollution free means of obtaining electrical energy, their expense and technological complexity have thus far limited their applications. The elec trolyte in stationary power plants could be phosphoric acid, molten carbonates, or solid metal oxides.
Fuel cell seminar report with ppt and pdf study mafia. There will be a real environmental advantage in urban areas when driving electric cars powered by hydrogen or methanol via fuel cells, even if the fuel is produced elsewhere with some pollution as a result. A highperformance cathode for the next generation of solid. Types and applications 381 cheng s, liu h, logan be 2006a increased performance of single chamber microbial fuel cells using an improved cathode structure. These contaminants include sulfur and carbon compounds, and residual liquid fuels depending on the type of fuel cell that can deactivate the fuel cell catahydrogen fuel cell engines and related technologies. This shows a summary of the different types of fuel cells. Others may be useful for small portable applications, others for vehicle applications. A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel often hydrogen and an oxidizing agent often oxygen into electricity through a pair of redox reactions. In the1960s, international fuel cells in windsor connecticut developed a fuel cell power. Sumit thakur ece seminars fuel cell seminar and ppt with pdf report. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells provide highpower density and the advantages of low weight and volume compared to other types of fuel cells. Fuel cell cars from hyundai, toyota, and honda have hit or about to hit the u. Alternative sources of energy an introduction to fuel cells.
The key to a hydrogen economy ammonia fuel cell systems. Some types of fuel cells work well for use in stationary power plants. Fuel cells furnished power for the gemini and apollo spacecraft, and. It includes electrochemical energy technology as in energy conversion and. Next, the different types of fuel cells and their main components are explained and the related material issues are presented. Also referred to as proton exchange membrane fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells employ porous carbon electrodes containing a platinum catalyst and a solid polymer as the electrolyte. A fuel cell is composed of an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. The book explores electrochemistry, types, and materials and components, but also includes a chapter on the particularities of their use in portable. The major types of fuel for sofc as reactants being oxidized are hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Of the various fuel cell types, solidoxide fuel cells sofcs combine the benefits of environmentally benign. A highperformance cathode for the next generation of. Fuel cells are different from most batteries in requiring a continuous source of fuel and oxygen usually from air to sustain the chemical reaction. The book analyzes the role of integrated ammonia fuel cell systems within various renewable energy resources and existing energy systems. Alkaline fuel cells an overview sciencedirect topics. Approximately 75,000 fuel cells had been shipped worldwide by the end of 2009. Since publication of the first edition of fuel cell systems explained, three compelling drivers have supported the continuing development of fuel cell technology. There are many types of fuel cells, but they all consist of a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte that allows positively charged hydrogen ions to move between the two sides of the fuel cell. This page contains fuel cell seminar and ppt with pdf report.
Types history of the technology the fuel cell concept was first demonstrated by william r. Depending on the type of fuel cell, the fuel used is hydrogen, or molecules with a large amount of hydrogen, such as methanol. Fuel cells require relatively pure fuel, free of specific contaminants. A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen or another fuel to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity. Fuel cells are clean, efficient devices that react fuels such as hydrogen and methanol via an electrochemical pathway, thereby generating electricity. Fuel cells are mainly classified by the characteristics affecting their performance like the type of catalysts, electrolyte used, the fuel required and temperaturerange 1, 2. An introduction to fuel cell technology and economics. Engineering issues like how to cool the fuel cell stack and whether to pressurize the fuel cell are discussed in general terms and the feasibility of certain design options is determined. An introduction to fuel cells and hydrogen technology by brian cook, heliocentris vancouver, canada whereas the 19th century was the century of the steam engine and the 20th century was the century of the internal combustion engine, it is likely that the 21st century will be the century of the fuel cell. Creates electricity through electrochemical process. They represent highly efficient and fuelflexible technologies that offer diverse benefits. There are several different types of fuel cells, each using a different chemistry. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells pemfcs, direct methanol fuel cells, and alkaline fuel cells are of interest for their use in highenergy applications with specific use in transportation, such as electric cars. Nov 05, 2015 there are many different types of fuel cells, based on the catalyst used.
The author provides a comprehensive exploration of the history of fuel cells, the environmental concerns which came into prominence in the 1980s and the economic factors associated with this method of power generation. These space vehicles use a hydrogenoxygen fuel cell that requires a continuous input of h 2 g and o 2 g, as illustrated in figure \\pageindex4\. Pdf a deep analysis of the fuel cells technologies state of the art has been. Fuel cells can be used to power scooters, forklift trucks, buses, trains, boats, aircraft, and cars. Some types of fuel cell systems are capable of using hydrocarbon fuels like natural gas, biogas, methanol, and others. The hydrogen can also be produced from natural gas, an oil product, coal or e. Fuel cell definition, working, types, and applications. Home fuel cells types of fuel cells fuel cells are classified primarily by the kind of electrolyte they employ. Polymer electrolyte membrane pem, direct methanol, alkaline, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide, and microbial, among others.
Ammonia fuel cells covers all aspects of ammonia fuel cell technologies and their applications, including their theoretical analysis, modeling studies and experimental investigations. Grove utilized four cells, each containing hydrogen and oxygen, to produce electric power which was then used to split the water in. Finally, attention is given to the integration of the fuel cells into complete systems. Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site.
Department of energys energy efficiency and renewable energy fuel cell technologies program fuel cell comparison chart. Both batteries and fuel cells produce direct current d. Each has its own strengths and challenges, and some are better suited for certain applications. But before highlighting differences, ponder a similarity among all. Fuel cells is a concise, uptodate and accessible guide to the evolution of the use of electrochemistry to generate power. This classification determines the kind of electrochemical reactions that take place in the cell, the kind of catalysts required, the temperature range in. Further, the paper looks to introduce both the technical and economic issues facing the introduction of this technology. Electrolysis setup by application of a voltage across the two electrodes, hydrogen and oxygen could. Fuel cells that use pure hydrogen fuel are completely carbon free, with their only byproducts being electricity, heat, and water. They represent highly efficient and fuel flexible technologies that offer diverse benefits. C 8 h 18 33,000 hydrogen 30 leadacid battery 12,300 gasoline 9,300 natural gas 48 advanced lead acid specific energy whkg fuel performance of energy storage systems. Careers in fuel cell technologies existing and emerging fuel cell applications hold large job growth potential. Table 11 summary of major differences of the fuel cell types. Seventh edition fuel cell handbook technical report osti.
An overview of fuel cells currently under development. Fuel cellpowered forklifts have been especially popular, with customers including bmw, cocacola, fedex, walmart, and whole foods. Wilder its first worth ones while to explore how five current types of fuel cell vary from one another, in key ways. Some types of fuel cells work well for use in stationary power generation plants. The book explores electrochemistry, types, and materials and components, but also includes a chapter on. The importance of fuel cells for energy saving purposes is emphasised.
Each type of fuel cell has advantages and drawbacks compared to the others, and none is yet cheap and efficient enough to widely replace traditional ways of generating power, such coalfired, hydroelectric, or even nuclear power plants. The cell he demonstrated was very simple, probably resembling this. Types of fuel cells are commonly identified by the composition of their electrolyte, which could be either phosphoric acid, an alkaline solution, a molten carbonate, a solid metal oxide, or a solid polymer membrane. They differ from batteries as they fuel cells require the continuous supply of fuel.
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