Fuel Cells

Jose Diaz

Thermodynamics

Due May 14th 2020

 Abstract

The fuel cell has proven that it can be a very beneficial device for society. Its applications

can vary from a wide spectrum of powering batteries in laptops or power cars to even powering

things like supermarkets or homes. This paper will serve the purpose of analyzing what a simple

fuel cell is composed of and how it works. It will then compare the benefits to the cons and

weigh out the overall impact of the technology. It will also explain the key differences between a

few example of fuel cells and then connect the technology to the study of thermodynamics.

Fuel Cells

A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction. It

uses hydrogen and oxygen as fuel to do so. These cells are a efficient, clean and reliable source

of power. The difference between fuel cell and a battery is that unlike batteries fuel cells do not

need to be periodically changed. This is because fuel cells can keep on producing electricity as

long as it is being provided with fuel making this easy choice over batteries. There are many

different types of fuel cells each differing from each other while retaining the same principles.

Examples of a few types are Alkaline, solid oxide and direct methanol fuel cells. While the idea

of battery-like device that does not need to be changed sounds great there are also a few down

sides to fuel cells such as the fact that they are highly flammable for example.
 The above picture is a simple diagram of a typical fuel cell. As shown fuel cells consist of

a few parts. For starters, the anode is the electrode on the left where the oxidation reaction

happens. They are positively charged electrodes that attract anions and expel electrons into a

circuit. The cathode is the electrode on the right where the reduction reaction happens and is an

where electricity flows into. They are negatively charged and attract cations. The electrolyte is an

ionic solution usually potassium hydroxide in water to serve as a path to the cathode for protons

that are separated from their electrons at the anode.

The process begins with a fuel cell receiving hydrogen in on the end of the anode and

oxygen through the side of the cathode. The Hydrogen atoms are then stripped of their electrons

at the anode and sent to the cathode through an electric circuit creating electricity and heat.

While the remaining protons reach the cathode through the electrolyte membrane. At the

cathode, the protons join back with the electrons along with oxygen to produce water and more

heat. This quick and efficient process leads to fuels cells being very clean.

To fully examine fuel cells, we must assess and weigh out the pros and cons of these

devices. Starting off with what has already been stated they are clean, and they do no need to be
replaced like batteries because they do not degrade over time. But these are not the only good

things about fuel cells. The device can be very eco friendly as fuel cells that use pure hydrogen

fuel are completely carbon-free, with their only byproducts being electricity, heat, and water.

The process is also very efficient with most fuel cells providing about sixty through eighty

percent efficiency. Fuel cells can also be stacked onto one another to provide more electricity.

And finally, they are also silent when compared to conventional sources of power generators

because there are no moving parts.

However, while these devices sound ideal the technology also comes with a range of

issues. There are a few major issues with the with the device such as flammability for example.

Due to hydrogen being a major component in the process and a very flammable gas, the device

can cause fires and explosions if not handled correctly. The fact that hydrogen is so flammable

also makes it a pain to store the gas for use. Another major problem is the initial cost of the

device since the technology has yet to gain popularity and become easily accessible. Another

flaw in design is that fossil fuel is still necessary to separate hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Meaning that if fossil fuels were no longer accessible fuel cells would not be a viable

replacement.

The importance of any device is determined by its applications in any field which provide

surplus and benefits to the mankind. Unless this technology becomes cheaper it is very unlikely

that it will become mainstream. However, it can still be applied for many different things and

prove fruitful. Even if it does not become mainstream it can still lower pollution and lower long

running costs for places that do decide to use them as power sources. Fuel cells can be used to

provide the fuel needed into rockets, supply power to a residential area, power up aeroplanes and

automobiles, and be used with power grids that provide power to satellites. They can be used to
power just about anything you can think of so the applications for them are endless even if they

are not widely used.

The are many different types of fuel cells. Among these the fuel and ion in the electrolyte

usually differ but the main principle remains the same. An oxidation occurs at the anode, while a

reduction occurs at the cathode. The two reactions are connected by a charged species that

migrates through the electrolyte and electrons that flow through the external circuit. One

example is the Alkaline fuel cell which uses an electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide. These

are mainly used for portable power. Another example is the solid oxide fuel cell which uses a

thin layer of ceramic as an electrolyte. These cells can operate at high temperatures and can

internally reform natural gases. They are used as power devices for heaver duty trucks. Another

example is the direct methanol fuel cell which uses a proton conducting polymer membrane as

the electrolyte. They use methanol on the anode to eliminate the need for a fuel reformer. These

cells are mostly used for portable electronic devices such as laptops and battery chargers

It is the basic rule that all power generation systems require energy balance. The rule also

applies in the case of the fuel cell. In a fuel cell the energy balance analysis is based on an energy

conversion such as electrochemical reaction, power generation and heat loss etc. The energy

balance analysis is different for different fuel cells because every fuel cell will have its own

electromagnetic reaction and heat loss. However, we can say that the main principle remains the

same of having energy change from chemical to electrical and thermal. The total energy remains

constant and change is zero. This is defined as the first law of thermodynamics, the conservation

of energy. The law states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed only transferred. With this

we see the chemical energy being converted into electrical and thermal energies, this is defined
by: dE=dE=δQ−δW .

E = system of energy,

Q & W = energy and work of the system respectively

The most simple and common reaction in fuel cells is defined as: H 2 +1⁄2O2 H2O. The

equation of H2O supports the second law of thermodynamics where the entropy within a system

will increase overtime. With an increase of energy, it can be identified that it is caused by the

standard free energy of products which are led than those of the reactants.

The standard free energy change of the fuel reaction is defined by: ∆G = –nFE.

∆G = free energy change

n = number of moles of electrons involved

E = reversible potential

F = Faraday’s constant

Fuel cells have become a very important milestone for mankind. Although they are not

yet mainstream if they were to be implemented more heavily, they would reduce pollution

making this a step in the right direction despite its flaws. Basic components of the fuel cells are

the electrodes, electrolytes to move ions to the electrodes and the reactants. This combination

makes a complete fuel cell. Hydrogen is the best fuel that can be used as it is the least harmful to

the environment and can provide high power efficiently. A fuel cell can be classified based on

the electrolyte used in it. Fuel cells are related to thermodynamics through the first and second
laws. With the applications being endless from powering grids to rockets or even homes the

device could prove to be extremely beneficial with its low maintenance. In the end we can say

that the fuel cell is an invention which can change the lives of humans for the better, but more

research is still necessary to improve upon the technology before it becomes mainstream.
Citations

“Advantages and Disadvantages of Fuel Cells & Applications: Green World Investor.” Green
World Investor RSS, www.greenworldinvestor.com/2018/05/22/advantages-and-
disadvantages-of-fuel-cells-applications/.

“Fuel Cell Basics.” Energy.gov, www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cell-basics.

“Fuel Cell Basics.” Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association, www.fchea.org/fuelcells.