Dr.

Nahid Sanzida Jan 2019

ChE 201
(Class Test 4)
Std# Time 20 mins

The following diagram is describing the reaction and process occurring inside a one-cell proton
exchange membrane fuel cell.

The current produced by the fuel cell is a function of the amount of hydrogen reacted, and can be
determined by the following equation:

Derive an equation for the current produced by the fuel cell as a function of time if 93 % of the
hydrogen is converted into products. Assume that the chemical reaction occurring in the fuel cell is a
first order reaction. For a first order reaction, the rate will be given by:
ṅ H
2,reacted
=r =k n H
2

where,

k = reaction rate constant in s-1

Hint: You can use material balances only for hydrogen on the reactor and solve for the current I.