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Fuel Cell Technologies Program PDF
Fuel Cell Technologies Program PDF
Fuel Cells
Hydrogen is a versatile energy car-
rier that can be used to power nearly
every end-use energy need. The fuel
cell an energy conversion device
that can efficiently capture and use
the power of hydrogen is the key to
making it happen.
Fuel cells can also power our trans- at efficiencies of 33-35%, while fuel on either side of the cell help distribute
portation, including personal vehicles, cell systems can generate electricity at gases and serve as current collectors. In
trucks, buses, marine vessels, and efficiencies up to 60% (and even higher a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)
other specialty vehicles such as lift with cogeneration). fuel cell, which is widely regarded as the
most promising for light-duty transporta-
trucks and ground support equipment, The gasoline engine in a conventional tion, hydrogen gas flows through chan-
as well as provide auxiliary power to car is less than 20% efficient in convert- nels to the anode, where a catalyst causes
traditional transportation technolo- ing the chemical energy in gasoline into the hydrogen molecules to separate into
power that moves the vehicle, under protons and electrons. The membrane al-
gies. Hydrogen can play a particularly
normal driving conditions. Hydrogen lows only the protons to pass through it.
important role in the future by re- fuel cell vehicles, which use electric While the protons are conducted through
placing the imported petroleum we motors, are much more energy efficient the membrane to the other side of the
currently use in our cars and trucks. and use 40-60% of the fuels energy cell, the stream of negatively-charged
corresponding to more than a 50% electrons follows an external circuit to
reduction in fuel consumption, compared the cathode. This flow of electrons is
Why Fuel Cells? to a conventional vehicle with a gasoline electricity that can be used to do work,
Fuel cells directly convert the chemical internal combustion engine. such as power a motor.
energy in hydrogen to electricity, with
In addition, fuel cells operate quietly, On the other side of the cell, air flows
pure water and potentially useful heat as
have fewer moving parts, and are well through channels to the cathode. When
the only byproducts. Hydrogen-powered
suited to a variety of applications. the electrons return from doing work,
fuel cells are not only pollution-free, but
they can also have more than two times they react with oxygen in the air and the
the efficiency of traditional combustion hydrogen protons (which have moved
How Do Fuel Cells Work?
technologies. through the membrane) at the cathode to
A single fuel cell consists of an electro- form water. This union is an exothermic
A conventional combustion-based power lyte sandwiched between two electrodes, reaction, generating heat that can be used
plant typically generates electricity an anode and a cathode. Bipolar plates outside the fuel cell.
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM
The power produced by a fuel cell Comparison of Fuel Cell to fuel cell commercialization. Fuel
depends on several factors, including the cell systems must be cost-competitive
Technologies with, and perform as well or better than,
fuel cell type, size, temperature at which
it operates, and pressure at which gases In general, all fuel cells have the same traditional power technologies over the
are supplied. A single fuel cell produces basic configuration an electrolyte life of the system. Ongoing research is
barely enough voltage for even the small- and two electrodes. But there are focused on identifying and developing
est applications. To increase the voltage, different types of fuel cells, classified new materials that will reduce the cost
individual fuel cells are combined in primarily by the kind of electrolyte and extend the life of fuel cell stack
series to form a stack. (The term fuel used. The electrolyte determines the components including membranes,
cell is often used to refer to the entire kind of chemical reactions that take catalysts, bipolar plates, and membrane-
stack, as well as to the individual cell.) place in the fuel cell, the temperature electrode assemblies. Low-cost, high-
Depending on the application, a fuel cell range of operation, and other factors that volume manufacturing processes will
stack may contain only a few or as many determine its most suitable applications. also help to make fuel cell systems cost
as hundreds of individual cells layered competitive with traditional technologies.
together. This scalability makes fuel
Challenges and Research For More Information
cells ideal for a wide variety of applica-
tions, from laptop computers (20-50 W) Directions More information on the Fuel Cell
to homes (1-5 kW), vehicles (50-125 Reducing cost and improving durability Technologies Program is available at
kW), and central power generation (1- are the two most significant challenges http://www.hydrogenandfuelcells.energy.
200 MW or more). gov.