Bipolar Membrane & Fuel Cells

Abdul Faiz Khan

18031D9201
 Bipolar Membrane

• Definition: An ion-exchange membrane that

consist of a layered ion structure.
• The use of a bipolar membrane enables many
functionalities to be used such as anti-fouling,
water dissociation, and the separation of ions.
 Bipolar Membrane
• The conventional method for generating
H+ and OH- ions from water uses electrolysis.
Electrolysis also generates O2 and H2 and the
production of these gases consumes about
half of the electrical energy of the process. In
contrast, special ion-exchange membranes
such as the bipolar membranes are capable of
splitting water directly into H+ and OH- ions
without generating O2 and H2.
 Fuel Cell
• Definition: A fuel cell is an electrochemical
cell that converts the chemical energy from a
fuel into electricity through an
electrochemical reaction of hydrogen fuel with
oxygen or another oxidizing agent.
• A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of
hydrogen or another fuel to cleanly and
efficiently produce electricity.
Block Diagram of a Fuel Cell
 How Fuel Cell Works
• Fuel cells work like batteries, but they do not
run down or need recharging. They produce
electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied.
A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a
negative electrode (or anode) and a positive
electrode (or cathode)—sandwiched around
an electrolyte. A fuel, such as hydrogen, is fed
to the anode, and air is fed to the cathode.
 Types of Fuel Cells
• Alkaline Fuel Cells.
• Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells.
• Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells.
• Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.
• Direct Methanol Fuel Cells.