Introduction to Fuel Cells

Background, Applications,
Operations and Challenges
 Fuel Cells Overview

NexTech Materials, Ltd.

 Founded in 1994 by current CEO and CTO
 40 employees, 100% management-owned
 Provider of fuel cell materials and components, catalysts and
sensors, and R&D services
 56,000 sq.ft. facility fully equipped with R&D to small scale
manufacturing
 Product available on www.fuelcellmaterials.com
 True belief that we can make the world a better place
 Fuel Cells Overview

How We Power Our World

 Fuel Cells Overview

What is a Fuel Cell?

 Electrical (and heat) power generator
 “Continuous battery”
 Runs as long as fuel and air (oxidant) are supplied
 Fuel Cells Overview

Brief History of Fuel Cells

 1839 Sir William Grove – credited with first electrochemical
H2/O2 reaction to create energy
 1950s Thomas Bacon – fuel cell stack
 1950s-now – fuel cells in space program (alkaline)
 1960s other fuel cells discovered – phosphoric acid, SOFC,
molten carbonate, PEMFC
 1970s – first stationary power applications
 1990s-now – transportation and other applications under
development
 2006 – commercial sales for communications backup power
systems
 Fuel Cells Overview

Benefits: Efficiency, Power, Energy

70 Fuel Cells with Hydrogen Fuel

Efficiency (percent LH V)
60
Mission Batteries Portable Fuel Fuel Cells with Hydrocarbon Fuels
Duration Cell System 50

3 hours 40
1 Kg 0.06 kg of fuel

30 Steam and
3 days
Gas Turbines
9 Kg 0.75 kg of fuel
20

10 days
10
30 Kg 1.6 kg of fuel
0
1 10 100 1000 10K 100K
1W 10 W 100 W 1 kW 10 kW 100 kW 1MW 10 MW 100 MW 1 GW
Power Output (kW)
Portable Hair Dryer Hotels, Cars Coal-fired
Electronics Apartments Trucks Power Plant
Stove
Computers Auxiliary Power Wind Power Nuclear
Light Bulbs Units, Houses Ships, Airplanes Power Plant
 Fuel Cells Overview

Efficiency = Fuel Saved

Gas Turbine
Generator Set 641,465 Gallons

$628,636

Diesel
Generator Set 321,703 Gallons
$315,268

Fuel Cell
214,315 Gallons
Generator Set
$210,028

= 50,000 gallons; ($.98/gallon)

 Fuel Cells Overview

Additional Benefits
 Reduced pollution (NOx, SOx, CO)
– Lower operating temperature and pressure, greater
efficiency, sulfur removal
 Reduced noise
– Fewer moving parts
 Diverse applications
– From battery replacement to power plants
 Potential benefits
– Higher reliability – fewer moving parts
– Higher energy density than batteries for longer run times at
similar sizes
– Distributed generation reducing stress on the grid
– Power quality
 Fuel Cells Overview

Fuel Cell Types

 Fuel Cells Overview

Stacks
 Each fuel cell layer
operates at 0.3-0.9V
 Power is increased
two ways
– Increase voltage by
stacking (like batteries)
– Increase current by
increasing active area
 Fuel Cells Overview

Complete
System

 Four main
components
– Stack
– Fuel processor
– Power electronics
– Balance of plant
 Fuel Cells Overview

Polarization (I-V) Curve

This is the fundamental fuel cell performance measurement

 Fuel Cells Overview

Major Challenges
 Longevity
– 5-50 years desired
– Heat-up and cycling
– Use of real (impure) fuels
 Power density
– Too big (volume) and
too heavy
 Cost
– Low volume production
– Expensive materials
 Fuel Cells Overview

Information Resources
 US Fuel Cell Council: www.usfcc.com
 Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition:
www.fuelcellsohio.com
 Fuel Cell Today: www.fuelcelltoday.com
 Fuel Cells 2000: www.fuelcells.org