HYDROGEN FUEL CELL TEC

HNOLOGY
A CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTION

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

 INTRODUCTION

• Mitigating Climate Change: Greenhouse gases, such as carbon

dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), trap
heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming. This,
in turn, causes rising sea levels, more frequent and severe
weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems. Clean energy
sources produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions,
making them vital for mitigating climate change.
• Improving Air Quality and Public Health: Fossil fuel combustion
for energy production is a major source of air pollutants,
including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
These pollutants have serious health consequences, contributing
to respiratory diseases and premature deaths. Transitioning to
clean energy reduces these harmful emissions, improving air
quality and public health.
 Reducing Environmental Damage: Extracting and burning fossil fuels
often leads to environmental damage, such as oil spills, habitat destruction,
and water pollution. Clean energy technologies, like wind and solar, have a
much lower environmental footprint and are less harmful to ecosystems
Energy Security: Dependence on fossil fuel imports can pose economic and
security risks. Clean energy technologies, when harnessed domestically,
reduce reliance on foreign energy sources, enhancing energy security.
Sustainable Development: Clean energy is aligned with the principles of
sustainable development, as it promotes economic growth, social well-
being, and environmental protection. It addresses the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
WHAT ARE FUEL CELLS
 • A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that generates
electricity through a chemical reaction between a fuel
DEFENATION and an oxidant, typically oxygen or air. It operates
similarly to a battery but can continue producing
OF FUEL CELLS
electricity as long as a fuel source is supplied. Fuel
cells are characterized by their high energy efficiency
and low emissions, making them a promising
technology for clean and sustainable power generation.
VARIOUS TYPES
OF FUEL CELLS
 PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL
(PEMFC):
• Electrolyte: PEMFCs use a polymer electrolyte membrane (usually made of a
perfluorosulfonic acid material) as the separator between the anode and cathode. This
membrane allows protons (positively charged hydrogen ions) to pass through while
blocking electrons.

• Operating Temperature: PEMFCs operate at relatively low temperatures, typically

around 80°C (176°F). This is significantly cooler than other fuel cell types, which makes
PEMFCs suitable for a wide range of applications, including transportation and portable
electronics.
 Hydrogen Oxidation: At the anode, hydrogen gas is introduced. A catalyst
typically made of platinum splits the hydrogen molecules into protons (H+) and
electrons (e-).

Electron Flow: The electrons cannot pass through the polymer membrane, so they
are forced to travel through an external electrical circuit. This flow of electrons
through the circuit generates an electric current, which is the useful electricity
produced by the fuel cell.

HOW Proton Transport: The protons created during the hydrogen oxidation process

PEMFCS move through the polymer electrolyte membrane to reach the cathode.

WORK:
Oxygen Reduction: At the cathode, the protons combine with oxygen and
electrons (coming from the external circuit) to form water (H2O).

Electricity Generation: The overall chemical reactions at the anode and cathode
generate electrical energy, and the byproduct is pure water, making PEMFCs one
of the cleanest energy sources available.
 SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL (SOFC):

• Key Characteristics:

• Electrolyte: SOFCs use a solid oxide electrolyte as the separator between the
anode and cathode. This electrolyte is typically made of ceramic materials like
yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ). Unlike
other fuel cell types, SOFCs do not require liquid or polymer electrolytes.

• Operating Temperature: SOFCs operate at high temperatures, typically

between 500°C to 1,000°C (932°F to 1,832°F). This high-temperature
operation allows SOFCs to be highly efficient and versatile
HOW DOES
HYDROGEN
FUEL CELL
WORKS
 EXPLANATION OF
ELECTROCHEMICAL
REACTIONS.
• At the anode, hydrogen fuel is split into protons and electrons.
• Protons move through an electrolyte to the cathode.
• Electrons travel through an external circuit, creating electricity.
• At the cathode, oxygen combines with protons and electrons to form
water.
• Fuel Cell Components
1. Anode (Fuel In)
2. Cathode (Oxygen In)
3. Electrolyte (Proton Transport)
4. Electron Flow (External Circuit)
5. Electricity Output
 ADVANTAGES OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
• Zero Emissions: Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in only one byproduct—
water vapor. This makes them a clean and environmentally friendly power source, with no greenhouse gas or harmful pollutant
emissions.

• High Efficiency: Fuel cells are highly efficient at converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Their efficiency can exceed
60%, significantly higher than traditional combustion engines.

• Versatility: Hydrogen can be derived from a variety of sources, including natural gas, water electrolysis, and biomass, providing
flexibility in fuel sourcing. This versatility can enhance energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

• Fast Refueling: Hydrogen fuel cells can be refueled quickly, similar to gasoline or diesel engines, which is particularly
advantageous for applications like fuel cell vehicles.
CHALLENGES IN HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
TECHNOLOGY

Developing a
Hydrogen production Efficient and cost-effective
comprehensive hydrogen
sustainability. hydrogen storage.
infrastructure.

Improving fuel cell

Reducing the cost of fuel Finding alternative,
durability and energy
cell technology. abundant materials.
efficiency.

Addressing safety and Securing market and policy

environmental concerns. support for adoption.
 • Steam Methane Reforming (SMR): This is the most common
method and involves using natural gas or methane to produce
hydrogen through a chemical reaction with steam. SMR is cost-
effective but produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

HYDROGEN • Electrolysis: Electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen

PRODUCTION using an electric current. It can be powered by renewable energy
sources, making it a clean and sustainable method, but it can be
METHODS energy-intensive.

• Alkaline Electrolysis: This type of electrolysis uses an alkaline

solution (usually potassium hydroxide) as the electrolyte. It's one
of the older and more established methods.
 • Compressed Hydrogen: Hydrogen gas is compressed and stored in
high-pressure tanks. This is a simple and established method but
requires strong and heavy tanks. Compressed hydrogen is commonly
used in fuel cell vehicles.

• Liquid Hydrogen: Hydrogen is cooled to extremely low temperatures

HYDROGEN (-253°C) to become a cryogenic liquid. Liquid hydrogen is space-
STORAGE efficient but requires energy for cooling and insulation, making it less
practical for many applications.

• Metal Hydrides: Metal hydrides are compounds formed by hydrogen

and a metal. They can absorb and release hydrogen reversibly. This
method offers high-density storage and is relatively safe, but it can be
heavy and costly.