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Fuel Cells

Fuel Cells principle of work

A fuel cell harnesses the


chemical energy of hydrogen
and oxygen to generate
electricity without combustion or
pollution. The type of fuel cell
typically used is a Proton
Exchange Membrane (PEM),
also called a Polymer
Electrolyte Membrane fuel cell.
PEM Fuel Cell Components
HOW DOES A FUEL CELL WORK?

1-Hydrogen fuel is
channeled through field
flow plates to the anode
on one side of the fuel
cell, while oxygen from
the air is channeled to
the cathode on the other
side of the cell.
2- At the anode; a platinum
catalyst causes the hydrogen
to split into positive hydrogen
ions (protons) and negatively
charged electrons
3- The Proton Exchange
Membrane (PEM) allows
only the positively
charged ions to pass
through it to the cathode.
The negatively charged
electrons must travel
along an external circuit
to the cathode, creating
an electrical current.
4- At the cathode, the
negatively charged
electrons and positively
charged hydrogen ions
combine with oxygen to
form water, which flows
out of the cell
Proton-Exchange Membrane Cell
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane

http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov03/Fuelcell.institute.deb.html
Fuel Cell Energy Exchange

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/electrol.html
Parts of a Fuel Cell
Anode

Negative post of the fuel cell.

Conducts the electrons that are freed from the hydrogen molecules so that they
can be used in an external circuit.

Etched channels disperse hydrogen gas over the surface of catalyst.

Cathode

Positive post of the fuel cell

Etched channels distribute oxygen to the surface of the catalyst.

Conducts electrons back from the external circuit to the catalyst

Recombine with the hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water.


Electrolyte
Proton exchange membrane.
Specially treated material, only conducts positively charged ions.
Membrane blocks electrons.
Catalyst
Special material that facilitates reaction of oxygen and hydrogen
Usually platinum powder very thinly coated onto carbon paper or cloth.
Maximizes surface area exposed to hydrogen or oxygen
The platinum-coated side of the catalyst faces the PEM.
Fuel Cell Operation
Pressurized hydrogen gas (H2) enters cell on anode side.
Gas is forced through catalyst by pressure.
When H2 molecule comes contacts platinum catalyst, it splits into two H+
ions and two electrons (e-).
Electrons are conducted through the anode
Make their way through the external circuit (doing useful work such as
turning a motor) and return to the cathode side of the fuel cell.
On the cathode side, oxygen gas (O2) is forced through the
catalyst
Forms two oxygen atoms, each with a strong negative charge.
Negative charge attracts the two H+ ions through the membrane,
Combine with an oxygen atom and two electrons from the external circuit
to form a water molecule (H2O).
Fuel Cell Stack

http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/photos.html
Auto Power Efficiency Comparison

System
Technology Efficiency
Fuel Cell 24-32%
Electric Battery 26%
Gasoline Engine 20%

http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm/printable
Why Hydrogen?
Its abundant, clean, efficient, and can be derived
from diverse domestic resources.
Biomass Transportation
Hydro
HIGH EFFICIENCY
Wind & RELIABILITY
.
Solar
Geothermal

Nuclear
With Carbon Sequestration

Oil Distributed
ZERO/NEAR ZERO Generation
EMISSIONS
Coal

Natural
Gas
Where is Hydrogen Found?

Hydrogen as a gas in NOT abundant in


underground reservoirs.
Hydrogen bonds easily to other elements and is
rarely found on its own.
While hydrogen can be stripped from underground
deposits of natural gas (methane CH4) there are no
underground deposits of pure hydrogen.
Flexibility of Source
Hydrogen can be produced from water; from
carbon-containing materials (usually reacting with
water); as a byproduct of chemical processes
Every region has some indigenous fossil or
renewable resource that can be used to make
hydrogen
Commercial Product Today
Steam Methane Reforming (SMR)
48% of world production
Nearly 95% of the U.S. hydrogen
production
Strong economy-of-scale
Overall energy efficiency is affected by
the ability to make use of the steam
by-product
Current Hydrogen Fuel Use in the
U.S.
70 fueling stations
21 in California
10 in New York
5 in Michigan
1-2 in AZ, CO, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MO, NV, ND, OH, PA,
SC, VT, VA, WV
313 Hydrogen Vehicles
Honda FCX sedan is the only fuel cell car available to the public on
a limited release lease agreement (mostly in S. California)
Data from Transportation Energy Data Book, Dept. of Energy, 2010

19 Footer Goes Here 3/27/2012


Other Ways to Liberate Hydrogen From
Water
Steam Electrolysis
Split water with heat, pressure, and electricity
Thermochemical
Split water with chemicals and heat
Photoelectrochemical
Split water using sunlight directly, or using chemicals and heat
Biological
Split water using organisms
Challenges of Hydrogen
Storage of hydrogen on board a vehicle is a tough
technical challenge
Installation of a hydrogen delivery and dispensing
infrastructure is expensive
Its not just the transportation sector that is affected
by hydrogen and fuel cells stationary and portable
applications also affected.
Hydrogen Storage and Transportation

Hydrogen can be cooled and stored as a


o
liquid. It must be cooled to -253
It can also be stored as a gas. It must
be compressed to be stored efficiently.
Hydrogen Storage

High-pressure storage tanks. Hydrogen gas can be compressed

and stored in storage tanks at high pressure, but these tanks must be
very strong. High-pressure tanks achieve 6,000 psi, and therefore must
be periodically tested and inspected to ensure their safety.

Liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen can be stored as a liquid. In this form,

more hydrogen can be stored per volume, but it must be kept at very
cold temperature (about -253 C).
Hydrogen Storage
Metal hydrides. Metal hydrides are specific combinations of

metallic alloys that act similar to a sponge soaking up water. Metal


hydrides posses the unique ability to absorb hydrogen and release it
later, either at room temperature or through heating of the tank. The
total amount of hydrogen absorbed is generally 1% - 2% of the total
weight of the tank. Some metal hydrides are capable of storing 5% -
7% of their own weight, but only when heated to temperatures of
2500 C or higher
Carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are microscopic
tubes of carbon, two nanometers (billionths of a meter) across,
which store hydrogen in their microscopic pores.
Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen storage takes place
On-board a vehicle
At production sites, in transit, and at
refueling stations

Hydrogen can be stored in its


pure form, or can be reformed
on board a vehicle from other
fuels
Hydrogen Fuel Cells for
Transportation
PEM fuel cells are favored because they operate at low
temperature (~80C)
Quick startup, lower thermal stresses

Efficient at low loads (typical operating region for vehicles)


Guts of a Fuel Cell Vehicle
Fuel Cell Life
While fuel cells do wear
out over time, A PEM
fuel cell in a vehicle
should have a 4,000
hour service life, while
stationary applications
should last 40,000
hours.
Hydrogen Safety
Hydrogen Gasoline

Three
Second
seconds
Fuel leak simulation
Hydrogen on left
Gasoline on right
Equivalent energy release

One minute
Advantages/Disadvantages of Fuel
Cells
Advantages
Water is the only discharge (pure H2)
Disadvantages
Little more efficient than alternatives
Technology currently expensive
Many design issues still in progress
Hydrogen often created using dirty energy (e.g., coal)
Pure hydrogen is difficult to handle
Refilling stations, storage tanks,

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