Fuel Cells: Negative Anode Positive Cathode

FUEL CELLS
Introduction Fuel cells generate electricity from an electrochemical reaction in which

oxygen (from air) and a fuel (e.g. hydrogen) combine to form water.
The electricity produced can be used to power cars, buses, laptops and mobile
phones. The by-product, heat, can also be used.
Structure fuel cells consist of two electrodes, a negative anode and a positive cathode
electrodes are separated by a solid or liquid electrolyte
electrically charged particles move between the two electrodes
catalysts (e.g. Pt) are often used to speed up the reactions at the electrodes
electricity is generated when oxygen and hydrogen combine to form water
Example Name Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell - PEMFC
Fuel hydrogen
Catalyst platinum
Operation hydrogen is oxidised to H
+
ions (protons) at the anode
protons move through the electrolyte
electrons pass through the external circuit
oxygen is reduced at the cathode
water is produced
a catalyst accelerates the reactions at the electrodes
Anode (-) 2H
2
(g) > 4H
+
(aq) + 4e E = 0.00V OXIDATION
Cathode (+) O
2
(g) + 4H
+
(aq) + 4e > 2H
2
O(l) E= +1.23V REDUCTION
overall reaction 2H
2
(g) + O
2
(g) > 2H
2
O(l) E= +1.23V
Electrolyte carries charged particles from one electrode to the other.
It must allow only the appropriate ions to pass between the
electrodes If other substances travel through the electrolyte,
they can disrupt the chemical reaction.
Fuel cells 1
F325
KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING 2008
H
H
O
O O H H
H H
H H
H H
H
+
O O
O O
electrons
E
L
E
C
T
R
O
L
Y
T
E
E
L
E
C
T
R
O
L
Y
T
E
H
+
M
E
M
B
R
A
N
E
Catalyst
ANODE CATHODE
Why use
them? our society is dependent upon the three main fossil fuels: coal, oil and gas
fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy resource
fuel prices are rising and resources dwindling
food, transport and electricity costs are affected by fuel prices
the atmosphere is becoming more and more polluted
carbon dioxide contributes to climate change and the greenhouse effect
Limitations storage of hydrogen - safety considerations
transportation of hydrogen - low density so expensive to deliver
feasibility of liquefied hydrogen under pressure - safety considerations
limited life of adsorber / absorber - economic considerations
limited life cycle of cell - economic considerations
high production costs - economic considerations
use toxic chemicals in cell production - environmental considerations
Manufacture
of hydrogen ideally from non-polluting and renewable resources; (solar, wind or hydro power)
from hydrocarbon fuels by reforming
from natural gas (methane) or ethanol CH
4
+ H
2
O > CO + 3H
2
electrolysis of water
Reforming Most of todays hydrogen is generated by steam reforming. Unfortunately it uses
non-sustainable, natural resources.
Fuel is mixed with steam in the presence of a metal catalyst to produce hydrogen
and carbon monoxide.
This method is cost effective and efficient with conversion rates of 70-80%.
Storage of
hydrogen liquid stored under pressure or
adsorbed on the surface of a solid or
absorbed within a solid
Fuelled cell
vehicles
(FCVs) produce less pollution from exhaust gases (no NOx, CO, unburnt hydrocarbons)
produce less CO
2
are more efficient
2 Fuels cells
F325
Q.1 Who invented the fuel cell?
ADVANTAGES - DISADVANTAGES OF FUEL CELLS
Pros eliminates pollution caused by burning fossil fuels; the only by-product is water
eliminates greenhouse gases if the hydrogen used comes from electrolysis of water
eliminates economic dependence on politically unstable countries for fossil fuel
have a higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines
most operate silently compared to internal combustion engines
some have low heat transmission - ideal for military applications
operating times are much longer than with batteries
maintenance is simple since there are few moving parts in the system
Cons production, transportation, distribution and storage of hydrogen is difficult
reforming is technically challenging and not environmentally friendly
refuelling and starting times of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are longer
driving range of cars is shorter than in a traditional vehicles
fuel cells are generally slightly bigger than comparable batteries or engines
currently expensive to produce, since most units are hand-made
some use expensive materials
the technology is not yet fully developed and few products are available
The future Limited supplies of fossil fuels may cause us to move to a hydrogen economy.
However greater acceptance by the public and politicians is necessary
handling and maintenance of hydrogen systems must be safe
improvements to hydrogen manufacturing must be made
OTHER TYPES OF FUEL CELL
Fuel cells 3
F325
Q.2 State the advantages and disadvantages of generating hydrogen from...
hydrocarbon fuels
electrolysis of water
ethanol
Q.3 In the near future, which method do you think will will be used to generate hydrogen
for fuel cells?
Q.4 What effect, if any, will fuel cells have on the worlds oil producing countries?
TYPES OF FUEL CELL
Fuel cells are classified according to the nature of the electrolyte.
Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
uses an alkaline electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide
used by NASA in space shuttles
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)
uses a polymer membrane as an electrolyte
a catalyst on the anode draws hydrogen from liquid methanol
eliminates need for a fuel reformer, so pure methanol can be used as fuel
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
uses a molten carbonate salt as the electrolyte.
has the potential to be fuelled with coal-derived fuel gases, methane or natural gas
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
anode and a cathode made of a finely dispersed platinum catalyst on carbon
has a silicon carbide structure that holds the phosphoric acid electrolyte
used to power many commercial premises and large vehicles, such as buses
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)
uses a polymeric membrane as the electrolyte, with platinum electrodes
operate at relatively low temperatures.
can vary their output to meet shifting power demands.
best for cars, for buildings and smaller applications
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)
use a solid ceramic electrolyte, such as zirconium oxide stabilised with yttrium oxide
work at high temperatures
can reach efficiencies of around 60 per cent
are expected to be used for generating electricity and heat in industry
have potential for providing auxiliary power in vehicles
Regenerative Fuel Cells (RFC)
produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen
can be reversed to produce hydrogen and oxygen; effectively storing energy or electricity
Metal Air Fuel Cells (MAFC)
not fuel cells in a conventional way
work like batteries, generating electricity using metal and oxygen
rechargeable.
4 Fuels cells
F325

Fuel Cells: Negative Anode Positive Cathode

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Fuel Cells: Negative Anode Positive Cathode

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Fuel Cells: Negative Anode Positive Cathode

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FUEL CELLS

Introduction Fuel cells generate electricity from an electrochemical reaction in which

You might also like