Chemistry

fuel cell
By
Chai Yu Chern
Semester 2 Science 2
 What is Fuel
cell?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy
of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into
electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different
from most batteries in requiring a continuous source of fuel and
oxygen (usually from air) to sustain the chemical reaction, whereas
in a battery the chemical energy usually comes from metals and their
ions or oxides that are commonly already present in the battery,
except in flow batteries. Fuel cells can produce electricity
continuously for as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied.
1.
Benefits
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. High Reliability.
3. Flexibility in installation and operation.
4. Development of renewable energy
resources.
5. Reduced demand for foreign oil.
6. Improved environmental quality.
Types of fuel
cell
1. POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL
CELLS.
2. DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS.
3. ALKALINE FUEL CELLS.
4. PHOSPHORIC ACID FUEL CELLS.
5. MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS.
6. SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS.
7. REVERSIBLE FUEL CELLS.
Aluminium-Air
cell
• The anode is the aluminium metal (oxidation occurs
to produce aluminium ions).
• The cathode us ab inert and porous electrode such as
platinum with continuous supply of air (reduction
occurs to produce hydroxide ions)
• The electrolyte is the solution of NaCl or NaOH.
• Aluminium air cell can be recharge by replacing the
aluminium anode, removing the precipitate of
Al(OH)3 and adding water.
Hydrogen-Oxygen
• fuel cell
The hydrogen is oxidised electrochemically inside the fuel
cell to produce a potential difference.
• The overall chemical reaction in a hydrogen fuel
electrochemical cell involves the oxidation of hydrogen by
oxygen to produce only water.
• Hydrogen fuel cells offer an alternative to rechargeable
cells and batteries.
• A fuel cell will produce a potential difference ('voltage') and
a workable electric current until one of the reactants is used
up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many types of fuel cell for
different uses and it also has a lot of benefits over
fossil fuel such as it does not produce waste
pollutant.