Fuel cells

Fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy of a chemical reaction between fuel
and oxidant directly into electrical energy.
Every fuel cell has the following:
 2 electrodes-
One anode (positively charged) and one cathode (negatively charged)
 An electrolyte
The electrolyte carries electrically charged particles from one electrode to another
 A catalyst
The catalyst speeds the reaction at both the electrodes
Hydrogen is the basic fuel in a fuel cell, but it also requires oxygen
Fuel cells generate electricity with very little pollution
The by-product produced is water

Types of fuel cell-

 Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)
 Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC)
 Solid acid fuel cell (SAFC)
 Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
 High-temperature fuel cells
o Solid oxide fuel cell
o Molten-carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)

Advantages and Limitations of fuel cells

Advantages
1. The energy conversion efficiency is high (60%)
2. It is environment friendly, the by-products is water
3. Compact modules with rated output are possible
Limitations
1. Cost of fabrication of the fuel cell stack is high.
2. Cost of electricity produced is high
3. Purity of the fuels used should be high to prevent catalytic poisoning.
4. If fuel used is gas, it has to be stored in pressurized containers

Applications
 The first commercial use of fuel cell was in NASA space program to generate
power for satellites and space capsules.
 Fuels are used for primary and backup power for commercial, industrial and
residential buildings in remote and inaccessible area.
 They are used to power fuel cell vehicles including automobiles, aeroplanes,
boats and submarines