FUEL CELLS

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Objective
Understand the basic theory of the fuel cell. Become conversant with the advantages and limitations of fuel cells Become aware of the various applications of fuel cells

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Questions to be addressed
What is a fuel cell? How long does it work? Why is it better? How many types? How does it work? What are its limitations? Where does it find application? Gayathri & Yamuna

What
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as its byproduct Fuel + Oxidant H2O + energy

Fuel may be hydrogen ,methane , methanol etc., Oxidant is oxygen present in air
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Longevity

As long as fuel is supplied and the catalyst is active the fuel cell will continue to generate power
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Advantage The process is clean and highly efficient ( two to three times more efficient than fuel burning)

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Types
5 different types based on electrolyte Phosphoric Acid [PAFC] Alkaline [AFC] Solid Oxide [SOFC] Molten Carbonate [MCFC] Proton Exchange Membrane / Polymer Electrolyte Membrane [PEMFC]
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Types
4 Types based of flow material H+ (PAFC, PEMFC) OH- (AFC) O (SOFC) CO3 (MCFC)

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Construction- General
A fuel cell consists of two electrodes sandwiched around an electrolyte. Oxygen passes over one electrode and hydrogen over the other, generating electricity, water and heat. The catalyst is a special material that facilitates the reaction of oxygen and hydrogen.
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PROTON EXCHANGE / POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL (PEMFC)

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In a PEMFC the electrolyte is a Polymer membrane (Nafion 117 derivative of teflon )

The platinum-coated side of the catalyst faces the PEM

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 Catalyst usually made of platinum nano particles very thinly coated onto carbon paper or cloth. The catalyst is rough and porous which enables the maximum surface area of the platinum to be exposed to the hydrogen or oxygen.

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Working
At Anode The catalyst splits hydrogen gas molecules into protons and electrons. H2---------------- 2H+ + 2eAt Cathode The electrons, which cannot pass through the membrane travel around it, thus creating the source of DC electricity and reduce the oxygen present in air O2 + 2e- --------------- O22-

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 The protons pass through the membrane to react with reduced oxygen and forms water Net Cell Reaction 2H2 + O2 ---------------2 H2 O EMF = 0.7V

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ALKALINE ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL (AFC)

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Cell Components and Configurations

Electrolyte: Strong Alkali KOH is most common as it is most conducting Operation types of electrolytes 1) mobile electrolyte / circulating electrolyte electrolyte is pumped through the cells (removes by-products from the cells) 2) Immobile electrolyte / Fixed electrolyte electrolyte is held in the asbestos matrix and an electrolyte reservoir plate acts as an electrolyte buffer

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Electrode and Catalyst AFCs can use both precious and non precious metal catalysts Precious metal catalysts Pt and Pt alloys ( both as anode and cathode) Nonprecious metal catalysts Anode: Raney nickel powders Cathode: silver-based alloys / composites (Ex.: Ag/C)

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Working
At Anode i. 2H2----------------------- 4H+ + 4eii.4H+ + 4 OH(from electrolyte) ------ 4 H2O At Cathode i. O2 + 2e- --------------- O22ii. O22- + 2 H2O + 2 e- ------ 4 OH

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Net Cell Reaction

2 H2 + O2 ------ 2 H2O
E cell (Theoritical) = 1.23V E cell (actual) = 0.8 1V

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 One characteristic of AFCs is that they are very sensitive to CO2 that may be present in the fuel or air. The CO2 reacts with the electrolyte, poisoning it rapidly, and severely degrading the fuel cell performance Therefore, AFCs are limited to closed environments, such as space and undersea vehicles, and must be run on pure hydrogen and oxygen.
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Advantages
Very Cheap Compared to other FCs Wide range of operating temperature(65C to 220C) The fuel cells on board of spacecraft provide electrical power for on-board systems, and also purest drinking water AFCs are the most efficient among various types of FCs(70%)
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Applications of Fuel Cells

Fuel cells are used to power buses, boats, Submarines ,trains, planes, scooters, bicycles etc., Miniature fuel cells for cellular phones, laptop computers and portable electronics Wastewater treatment plants and landfills are using fuel cells to convert the methane gas they produce into electricity.

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SUMMARY
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Type and applications

Alkali Operating Temperature 50-250 C Fuel H2 Applications (Present / Potential) Used in space vehicles (Apollo, Shuttle) Medium scale CHP systems (200 kW)

Phosphoric Acid Molten Carbonate Solid Polymer (PEM) Solid Oxide (YSZ)

~220 C

H2 / CH4

~600 C

H2 / CH4 / CO Medium to large scale CHP systems. 1-2 MW H2 / CH3OH Potential for transport.

50 100 C

500-1000 C H2 / CH4 / CO All sizes of CHP systems, 2kW - MW Potentially very useful

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Chemical reactions in different fuel cells Anode Reactions

Alkali (AFC) H2 + 2OH- 2H2O +2e Phosphoric Acid H2 2H+ + 2e Molten Carbonate H2 + CO32- CO2 +2e Solid Polymer (PEMFC) H2 2H+ + 2e Solid Oxide H2 + O2- H2O + 2e
eelectrolyte

Cathode Reactions
O2 +2H2O + 4e 4OH-

OH-

H+

O2 + 4H+ + 4e

2H2O

CO32-

O2 + 2CO2 + 4e

2CO32-

H+

O2 + 4H+ + 4e

2H2O

O2-

O2 + 4e

2O2-

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