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