Fuel cell

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The Complete Guide About Fuel Cell
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Introduction

• A Fuel Cell is a device that converts the
  Chemical energy from a fuel into electricity
  through a chemical reaction with oxygen or
  another Oxidizing agent.
• Fuel cells are different from batteries in that
  they require a continuous source of fuel and
  oxygen/air to sustain the chemical reaction.

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• There are many types of fuel cells, but they all
  consist of an anode a cathode  and an electrolyte
  that allows charges to move between the two sides
  of the fuel cell.
• Fuel cells are used for primary and backup power
  for commercial, industrial and residential
  buildings and in remote or inaccessible areas.
  They are also used to power fuel-cell vehicles,
  including forklifts, automobiles, buses, boats,
  motorcycles and submarines.

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How do Fuel cells work?

• The purpose of a fuel cell is to produce an
  electrical current that can be directed outside
  the cell to do work,
• single fuel cell consists of three parts
• 1. Anode (that is a negative electrode that
  provides electrons).ssss
• 2. An electrolyte in the center.
• 3. Cathode (a positive electrode that accepts
  electrons).

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• The hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell anode
  catalyst on the anode help separate the hydrogen
  atoms into protons, hydrogen ions and electrons.
• The electrolyte in the center allows only the
  proton to pass through the electrolyte to the
  cathode side of the fuel cell.

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• These electrons from the hydrogen cant pass
  through the electrolyte and hence pass through a
  circuit joined between anode and cathode hence
  in turn generate electricity that passes through
  that circuit.
• As oxygen flows into fuel cell cathode, another
  catalyst causes oxygen protons and electrons to
  combine to produce pure water heat.

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Types of fuel cell

• 1.Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)
• 2. Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)
• 3. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
• 4. Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
• 5. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells(SOFC)
• 6. Molten Carbonate Fuel cells (MCFC)

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Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

• Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, also known
  as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells
  (PEMFC), are a type of fuel cell being developed
  for transport applications as well as
  for stationary fuel cell application
   and portable fuel cell application.

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Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)

• Direct-methanol fuel cells or DMFCs are a
  subcategory of proton-exchange fuel cells in
  which methanol is used as the fuel.
• Their main advantage is the ease of transport of
  methanol, an energy-dense yet reasonably stable
  liquid at all environmental conditions.

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Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)

• Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) are a type
  of fuel cell that uses liquid phosphoric acid as
  an electrolyte. They were the first fuel cells to
  be commercialized.

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Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)

• The alkaline fuel cell (AFC), also known as
  the Bacon fuel cell after its British
  inventor,AFCs consume hydrogen and pure oxygen
  producing potable water, heat, and electricity.
  They are among the most efficient fuel cells,
  having the potential to reach 70.

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Solid Oxide Fuel Cells(SOFC)

• A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is
  an electrochemical conversion device that
  produces electricity directly from oxidizing a
  fuel. Fuel cellsare characterized by their
  electrolyte material,
• The SOFC has a solid oxide or ceramic electrolyte.
  

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Molten Carbonate Fuel cells (MCFC)

• Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are currently
  being developed for natural gas, biogas (produced
  as a result of anaerobic digestion orbiomass
  gasification), and coal-based power plants
  for electrical utility, industrial, and military
  application.

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Advantages Of Fuel Cells

• Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fossil fuels do
  emit a lot of greenhouse gases. Same is not
  emitted by the fuel cells.
• Fuel cells have a higher efficiency than diesel
  or gas engines.
• Fuel cells can be responsive to changing
  electrical loads.
• The power densities are high values.
• Fuel cells provide high quality DC power.
• Most fuel cells operate silently, compared to
  internal combustion engines.

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Disadvantages Of Fuel Cells

• High costs compared to other energy systems
  technology.
• Operation requires a consistent fuel supply.
• The technology is not yet fully developed and few
  products are available.
• Some fuel cells use expensive materials.

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