Port Said University Energy Resources

rd
Faculty of Engineering. 3 Year Mechanical Power Eng. Dept.
Mech. Power Eng. Dept. Sheet No. (4): Fuel Cells

1. A high-temperature fuel cell uses carbon monoxide as fuel and air as the
oxidizer. If the cell reactions are:

Anode: 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶3−− → 2𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶2 + 2𝑒𝑒

1
Cathode: 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶2 + 𝑂𝑂2 + 2𝑒𝑒 → 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶3−−
2
1
Overall: 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 + 𝑂𝑂2 → 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶2
2
Find, in terms of standard temperature and pressure, the enthalpy of formation
per mole at each electrode and the sum of electrical and thermal energy releases
per mole in the overall reaction. Use table 1.
Table 1 Enthalpy of formation and Gibbs free energy of compounds and
ions at (STP) of 1 atm and 298 K

2. Find the maximum possible value of the internally generated voltage of the
hydrogen-oxygen cell at STP, where the product is in its liquid state. Use data
in table 1.

3. Find the internally generated voltage of the hydrogen-oxygen cell at a

temperature of 32° C, when air is used as the oxidant and the product is water.
The air is supplied at a pressure of 1.2 atm and hydrogen is at a pressure of 1.1
atm.
1
Port Said University Energy Resources
rd
Faculty of Engineering. 3 Year Mechanical Power Eng. Dept.
Mech. Power Eng. Dept. Sheet No. (4): Fuel Cells

4- A fuel cell converter, operating on pure hydrogen and oxygen, is required

to supply an electrical output power of 2 kW. Each cell is to have porous
titanium electrodes of 0.05 m2 area separated by the ion-exchange membrane,
a 0.0011 m thick sheet of polymer plastic with a resistivity of 0. 22 ohm/m.
The hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to the cell at pressures of 24 and 20
psia respectively. In order to avoid significant concentration polarization loss,
the cell is to be operated at an electrode current density of 1000 amp/m2. For
an operating temperature of 35° C, the coefficients of the voltage drop due to
chemical polarization has the coefficients of α = 0.006 v, β = 0.095 and J is in
amp/m2. Assume a contact and circuit resistance drop of 0.05 v. If (1 atm= 14.7
psia). Find:
a) The terminal voltage,
b) The number of cells required,
c) The efficiency,
d) The amount of thermal energy which is rejected per kg mole of oxygen used.