Fuel cells

By
MUKHTIAR HUSSAIN

Fuel cell history

First demonstrated in principle by British Scientist
Sir Willliam Robert Grove in 1839.
Groves invention was based on idea of reverse
electrolysis.

What is a fuel cell

Creates electricity through
electrochemical process
Operates like a battery
Emits heat and water only

Battery
A battery is essentially a can full of
chemicals that produce electrons. Chemical
reactions that produce electrons are called
electrochemical reactions.
Battery has two terminals. One terminal
is marked (+), or positive, while the other
is marked (-), or negative.

Working of a battery

Working of Battery

Electrons collect on the negative

terminal of the battery. Normally
some type of load like a motor or
bulb is connected using wire from
positive terminal of the battery to
its negative terminal
Inside the battery itself, a chemical reaction produces the
electrons. The speed of electron production by this chemical
reaction (the battery's internal resistance) controls how many
electrons can flow between the terminals. Electrons flow from the
battery into a wire, and must travel from the negative to the
positive terminal for the chemical reaction to take place.

Reactions inside Zinc/carbon battery

Take a jar filled with sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Stick a zinc rod in it.
The acid molecules break up into three ions: two H+ ions and one SO4-ion.
The zinc atoms on the surface of the zinc rod lose two electrons (2e-) to
become Zn++ ions.
The Zn++ ions combine with the SO4-- ion to create ZnSO4, which
dissolves in the acid.
The electrons from the zinc atoms combine with the hydrogen ions in the
acid to create H2 molecules (hydrogen gas). We see the hydrogen gas as
bubbles forming on the zinc rod.
Now stick a carbon rod and connect a wire between zinc and carbon rods
The electrons flow through the wire and combine with hydrogen on the
carbon rod, so hydrogen gas begins bubbling off the carbon rod.
There is less heat. You can power a light bulb or similar load using the
electrons flowing through the wire.
The electrons go to the trouble to move to the carbon rod because they find
it easier to combine with hydrogen there. There is a characteristic voltage in
the cell of 0.76 volts. Eventually, the zinc rod dissolves completely or the
hydrogen ions in the acid get used up and the battery "dies."

Fuel Cell And battery

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy
conversion device. A fuel cell converts the
chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the
process it produces electricity.
A battery has all of its chemicals stored inside, and it
converts those chemicals into electricity too. This
means that a battery eventually "goes dead" and you
either throw it away or recharge it.
With a fuel cell, chemicals constantly flow into the cell
so it never goes dead -- as long as there is a flow of
chemicals into the cell, the electricity flows out of the
cell. Most fuel cells

Parts of fuel cells

There are 4 main parts
Anode
Cathode
Catalyst
Proton exchange membrane

The Anode
The anode is the negative post of the
fuel cell.
It conducts the electrons that are
freed from the hydrogen molecules so
that they can be used in an external
circuit.
It has channels etched into it that
disperse the hydrogen gas equally
over the surface of the catalyst

The Cathode
The cathode is the positive post of the fuel
cell.
It has channels etched into it that distribute
the oxygen to the surface of the catalyst.
It also conducts the electrons back from
the external circuit to the catalyst, where
they can recombine with the hydrogen ions
and oxygen to form water.

The Catalyst
The catalyst is a special material that
facilitates the reaction of oxygen and
hydrogen.
It is usually made of platinum powder very
thinly coated onto carbon paper or cloth.
The catalyst is rough and porous so that
the maximum surface area of the platinum
can be exposed to the hydrogen or oxygen.
The platinum-coated side of the catalyst
faces the PEM.

The Proton Exchange Membrane

The electrolyte is the proton
exchange membrane.
This is a specially treated material
that only conducts positively charged
ions.
The membrane blocks electrons.

Fuel Cell Theory

A fuel cell consists of two electrodes - Anode and Cathode.
Hydrogen and Oxygen are fed into the cell.
Catalyst at Anode causes hydrogen atoms
electrons leaving positively charged protons.

to give up

Oxygen ions at Cathode side attract the hydrogen protons.

Cont..
Protons pass through electrolyte membrane.
Electrons are redirected to Cathode through external
circuit.
Thus producing the current - power

Fuel cell working

Graphic showing working of Fuel Cell

http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm

The Chemistry of a Fuel cell

Anode side:
2H2 => 4H+ + 4eCathode side:
O2 + 4H+ + 4e- => 2H2O
Net reaction:
2H2 + O2 => 2H2O

Pressurized hydrogen
gas (H2), enters the
fuel cell on the anode
side
Oxygen gas (O2) is
forced through the
catalyst on the
Cathode side
This reaction in a
single fuel cell
produces about 0.7
volts

Working Diagram Of Fuel Cell

Figure 3

Types of fuel cells

Alkaline (AFC)
Phosphoric Acid
(PAFC)
Solid Polymer
(PEMFC)
Moltan Carbonate
(MCFC)
Solid Oxide
(SOFC)
Direct Methanol
(DMFC)

Temp.C

Application

70-90
150-210

Space
Commercially available

70-90

Automotive application

550-650

Power generation

1000-1100

Power generation

70-90

Under development

Alkaline Fuel Cell

Used in spacecraft to provide drinking
water and electricity
Electrolyte: Aqueous solution of
alkaline potassium Hydroxide
Output of 300w -5KW
Power generation efficiency of about
70%
Too expensive for commercial
applications

Phosphoric Acid Fuel cell

Used in hospitals, nursing homes and
for all commercial purposes
Electrolyte: Liquid Phosphoric acid
Catalyst: platinum
Electrical efficiency of 40%
Advantages :using impure hydrogen
as fuel and 85% of the steam can be
used for cogeneration

Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell

Contd
Disadvantages: uses expensive
platinum as catalyst
Large size and weight
Low power and current
Existing PAFCs have outputs of
200kw and 1Mw are being tested

Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

Also called as Solid Polymers and used for
quick startup in automobiles, light duty
vehicles and potentially to replace
rechargeable batteries
Electrolyte :Solid organic polymer polyperflourosulfonic acid.
Catalyst: Metals (usually platinum) coated
on both sides of membrane act as catalyst
Advantages: Use of solid electrolyte reduces
corrosion and management problems

Contd..
Disadvantages: Sensitive to fuel
impurities
Cell outputs generally range from 50
to 250 kW.

Molten Carbonate Fuel cell

Majorly used for electric utility
applications
Electrolyte: Liquid solution of lithium,
sodium and/or potassium carbonates.
Catalyst: Inexpensive metals can be
used as catalyst other than Platinum
Advantages: High operating
temperature allow for inexpensive
catalysts

Contd..
Higher efficiency and flexibility to use more
type of fuels like carbon monoxide,
propane, marine gas due to high
temperatures
Disadvantage: Higher temperature
enhances corrosion and breakage of cell
components
High fuel to electricity generation of about
60% or 85% with cogeneration.
10 kws -1 mws MCFCS have been tested

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Highly promising fuel cell
Used in big, high-power applications
including industrial and large-scale
central electricity generating stations
Some developers also see SOFC use
in motor vehicles
Power generating efficiencies could
reach 60% and 85%

Cont..
Two Variations
One type of SOFC uses an array of
meter-long tubes, and other variations
include a compressed disc that
resembles the top of a soup can

Closer to commercialization
Demonstrations of tubular SOFC
technology have produced as much
as 220 kW

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Similar to the PEM cells in that they both
use a polymer membrane as the electrolyte
The anode catalyst itself draws the
hydrogen from the liquid methanol,
eliminating the need for a fuel reformer.
Efficiency of about 40%
typically operate at a temperature between
120-190 degrees F

Cont..
Relatively low range
Attractive for tiny to mid-sized
applications, to power cellular phones
and laptops
Higher efficiencies are achieved at
higher temperatures
Major problem: Fuel crossing over
from the anode to the cathode
without producing electricity.

Research Progress

Advantages and Disadvantages

Summary
Fuel cells have the possibility to
reduce CO2 emission
Fuel cells need more research to
improve
Main focus should be on lifetime
issues
There is much to be done..