The Complete Guide About Fuel Cell

Introduction

A Fuel Cell is a device that converts the Chemical energy from a

fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or
another Oxidizing agent.
Fuel cells are different from batteries in that they require a
continuous source of fuel and oxygen/air to sustain the chemical
reaction.

There are many types of fuel cells, but they all consist of
an anode a cathode and an electrolyte that allows charges to
move between the two sides of the fuel cell.
Fuel cells are used for primary and backup power for commercial,
industrial and residential buildings and in remote or inaccessible
areas. They are also used to power fuel-cell vehicles, including
forklifts, automobiles, buses, boats, motorcycles and submarines.

How do Fuel cells work?

The purpose of a fuel cell is to produce an electrical current that

can be directed outside the cell to do work,
single fuel cell consists of three parts:
1. Anode (that is a negative electrode that provides
electrons).ssss
2. An electrolyte in the center.
3. Cathode (a positive electrode that accepts electrons).

The hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell anode catalyst on the

anode help separate the hydrogen atoms into protons, hydrogen
ions and electrons.
The electrolyte in the center allows only the proton to pass
through the electrolyte to the cathode side of the fuel cell.

These electrons from the hydrogen cant pass through the

electrolyte and hence pass through a circuit joined between
anode and cathode & hence in turn generate electricity that
passes through that circuit.
As oxygen flows into fuel cell cathode, another catalyst causes
oxygen protons and electrons to combine to produce pure water
& heat.

Types of fuel cell

1.Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

2. Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)
3. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
4. Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
5. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells(SOFC)
6. Molten Carbonate Fuel cells (MCFC)

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

(PEMFC)

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, also known as polymer

electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells (PEMFC), are a type
of fuel cell being developed for transport applications as well as
for stationary fuel cell application and portable fuel cell
application.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)

Direct-methanol fuel cells or DMFCs are a subcategory of protonexchange fuel cells in which methanol is used as the fuel.
Their main advantage is the ease of transport of methanol, an
energy-dense yet reasonably stable liquid at all environmental
conditions.

Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)

Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) are a type of fuel cell that uses
liquid phosphoric acid as an electrolyte. They were the first fuel
cells to be commercialized.

Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)

The alkaline fuel cell (AFC), also known as the Bacon fuel cell
after its British inventor,AFCs consume hydrogen and pure
oxygen producing potable water, heat, and electricity. They are
among the most efficient fuel cells, having the potential to reach
70%.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells(SOFC)

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is an electrochemical conversion

device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel. Fuel
cellsare characterized by their electrolyte material,
The SOFC has a solid oxide or ceramic electrolyte.

Molten Carbonate Fuel cells (MCFC)

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are currently being

developed for natural gas, biogas (produced as a result
of anaerobic digestion orbiomass gasification), and coal-based
power plants for electrical utility, industrial, and military
application.

Advantages Of Fuel Cells

Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fossil fuels do emit a lot of

greenhouse gases. Same is not emitted by the fuel cells.
Fuel cells have a higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines.
Fuel cells can be responsive to changing electrical loads.
The power densities are high values.
Fuel cells provide high quality DC power.
Most fuel cells operate silently, compared to internal combustion
engines.

Disadvantages Of Fuel Cells

High costs compared to other energy systems technology.

Operation requires a consistent fuel supply.
The technology is not yet fully developed and few products are
available.
Some fuel cells use expensive materials.

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