By B.

Pallavi Sridevi Womens Engineering College

How do FUEL CELL work?

Anode: 2H2 =>4H+ + 4eCathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e-=> 2H2O Overall: 2H2 + O2 =>2H2O + energy

Fuel Cell

Fuel cell is a device that electrochemically converts the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidant to electrical energy.
Produces energy in the form of electricity & heat as long as fuel is supplied It Consists of 2 electrodes sandwiched around an electrolyte.

Types of FUEL CELLS :

1.Proton Exchange Membrane

2.Alkaline Fuel Cell

3.Direct Methanol Fuel Cell 4.Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell 5.Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell 6.Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Proton Exchange Membrane

Anode: 2H2 =>4H+ + 4eCathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e-=> 2H2O

Overall: 2H2 + O2 =>2H2O + energy

Alkaline Fuel Cell

Anode Reaction: 2 H2 + 4 OH- => 4 H2O + 4 eCathode Reaction: O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e- => 4 OHOverall Net Reaction: 2 H2 + O2 => 2 H2O

Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell

Anode Reaction: CH3OH + H2O => CO2 + 6H+ + 6eCathode Reaction: 3/2 O2 + 6 H+ + 6e- => 3 H2O Overall Cell Reaction: CH3OH + 3/2 O2 => CO2 + 2 H2O

CONSTRUCTION OF LOW TEMPERATURE PEM FUEL CELLS

H2 and Anode

PEM

Cathode

Hydrogen fuel (H2) is channeled to the anode, where the catalyst separates the hydrogens negatively charged electrons from the positively charged protons.

The membrane allows the positively charged protons to pass through to the cathode, but not the negatively charged electrons. The negatively charged electrons must flow around the membrane through an external circuit. This flow of electrons forms an electrical

At the cathode, the negatively charged electrons and positively charged hydrogen ions (protons) combine with oxygen to form water (H20) and heat.

Benefits of FUEL CELL

Energy Security

Physical Security
High Reliability/ High Quality Power

Fuel flexibility
Cogeneration capability

Efficiency
Environmental Benefits

Applications:
Fuel cell driven electric car Transportation Portable Power Mobile charger Used in Military applications

CONCLUSION
As the demand for energy continues to expand, the challenge to meet it grows. As our demand for electrical power grows, it becomes increasingly urgent to find new ways of meeting it both responsibly and safely. Hydrogen age is definitely on the fast track. Once fuel cells find well established applications other than automobiles, their impact could snow ball. In the past, the limited factors of renewable energy have been the storage and transport of that energy. With the use of fuel cells and hydrogen technology, electrical power from renewable energy sources can be delivered where and when required cleanly, efficiently and sustainable.

QUERIES ?