HANOI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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TOPIC: FUEL CELLS

Instructor: Nguyễn Kim Ngà

Group: 3
Student information:
 Trần Vương Trọng 20196311
 Vũ Đăng Huy Hoàng 20196295
 INTRODUCTION
1. What is a fuel cell?
Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy from the reactants
directly into electricity and heat. The device consists of an electrolyte layer in contact
with a porous anode and cathode on either side. An illustration of a fuel cell with
reactant/product gasses and the ion conduction flow directions through the cell is shown
in fig below

A single PEM fuel cell configuration

In a standard fuel cell, gaseous fuels are fed continuously to the anode (negative
electrode), while an oxidant (oxygen from the air) is fed continuously to the cathode
(positive electrode). Electrochemical reactions take place at the electrodes to produce
an electric current. Some of the advantages of fuel cell systems are:
• A high operating efficiency that is not a function of system size.
• A highly scalable design.
• Several types of potential fuel sources are available.
• Zero or near-zero greenhouse emissions.
• There are no moving parts in the fuel cell stack, which provides reliable,
vibration-free operation. (There may be pumps or compressors in some fuel cell
plant subsystems).
• Nearly instantaneous recharge capability when compared to batteries.
Some of the limitations common to all fuel cell systems include:

• Cost-effective, mass produced pure hydrogen storage and delivery technology.

• Fuel Reformation technology may need to be considered if pure fuel is not used.
• Fuel cell performance may gradually decrease over time due to catalyst
degradation and electrolyte poisoning if pure fuel is not used.
Comparison with Batteries
Fuel cells are like batteries, but also have some significant differences. Both
technologies are electrochemical devices that produce energy directly from an
electrochemical reaction between the fuel and the oxidant. Some of the unique
characteristics of a battery include:

1. It is an energy storage device.

2. The maximum amount of available energy is based on the amount of chemical
reactant stored in the battery itself.
3. A battery has the fuel and oxidant reactants built into itself (onboard storage), in
addition to being an energy conversion device.
4. In a secondary battery, recharging regenerates the reactants. This involves
putting energy into the battery from an external source. 
The fuel cell is an energy conversion device that can produce electrical energy as long
as the fuel and oxidant are supplied to the electrodes. Figure 2 shows a comparison
between a fuel cell and battery.

Figure 2. Comparison of a fuel cell and a battery

The lifetime of a primary battery is limited due to the following:

1. The battery stops producing electricity when the chemical reactants stored in a
battery runs out.
2. When a battery is not being used, a very slow electrochemical reaction takes
place that limits the lifetime of the battery.
3. The battery life is dependent on the lifetime of the electrode.
In comparison, a fuel cell is an energy conversion device where the reactants are
supplied. The fuels are stored outside the fuel cell. A fuel cell can supply electrical

energy as long as fuel and oxidant are supplied. Also, no “leakage” occurs in a fuel cell,
and no corrosion of cell components occurs when the system is not in use.

Comparison with Heat Engine

A heat engine also converts chemical energy into electric energy, but through
intermediate steps:

1. The chemical energy is first converted into thermal energy through combustion;
2. Thermal energy is then converted into mechanical energy by the heat engine;
and
3. Finally, the mechanical energy is converted into electric energy by an electric
generator.
This multistep energy process requires several devices to generate electricity. The
maximum efficiency is limited by Carnot’s law because the conversion process is based
upon a heat engine, which operates between a low and high temperature. The process
also involves moving parts, which implies that they wear over time. Regular
maintenance of moving components is required for proper operation of the mechanical
components. Figure 3 shows a comparison between a fuel cell and a heat
engine/electrical generator.

Figure 3. Comparison of a fuel cell to a heat generator

Since fuel cells do not have any moving parts during operation, they are more reliable
than heat engines and have less noise. This results in lower maintenance costs, which
make them especially advantageous for space and underwater missions.
Electrochemical processes in fuel cells are not governed by Carnot’s law; therefore,
high operating temperatures are not necessary for achieving high efficiency. Also, the
efficiency of fuel cells is not strongly dependent on operating power. It is their inherently
high efficiency that makes fuel cells an excellent option for a broad range of
applications, including automobiles, buses, distributed electricity, and portable systems.

2. A simple fuel cell

In a fuel cell, the hydrogen combustion reaction is split into two electrochemical half
reactions:

Spatial separation is accomplished by employing an electrolyte. An electrolyte is a

material that allows ions (charged atoms) to flow but not electrons. At a minimum, a fuel
cell must possess two electrodes, where the two electrochemical half reactions occur,
separated by an electrolyte.
Figure below shows an example of an extremely simple H2–O2 fuel cell. This fuel cell
consists of two platinum electrodes dipped into sulfuric acid (an aqueous acid
electrolyte). Hydrogen gas, bubbled across the left electrode, is split into protons (H+)
and electrons. The protons can flow through the electrolyte, but the electrons cannot.
Instead, the electrons flow from left to right through a piece of wire that connects the two
platinum electrodes. Note that the resulting current, as it is traditionally defined, is in the
opposite direction. When the electrons reach the right electrode, they recombine with
protons and bubbling oxygen gas to produce water.
The first fuel cell, invented by William Grove in 1839, probably looked a lot like the
one discussed here.

3. Fuel cell types

There are five major types of fuel cells, differentiated from one another by their
electrolyte:
1. Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC)
2. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
3. Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
4. Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)
5. Solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC)

While all five fuel cell types are based on the same underlying electrochemical
principles, they all operate at different temperature regimens, incorporate different
materials, and often differ in their fuel tolerance and performance characteristics, as
shown in Table 1.1.
4. Basic fuel cell operation
Larger surface areas translate into larger currents.
To provide large reaction surfaces that maximize surface-to-volume ratios, fuel cells
are usually made into thin, planar structures, as shown in Figure 1.9. The electrodes are
highly porous to further increase the reaction surface area and ensure good gas access.
One side of the planar structure is provisioned with fuel (the anode electrode), while the
other side is provisioned with oxidant (the cathode electrode)
 Figure 1.10 shows a detailed, cross-sectional view of a planar fuel cell. Using this figure
as a map, we will now embark on a brief journey through the major steps involved in
producing electricity in a fuel cell. Sequentially, as numbered on the drawing, these
steps are as follows:
1. Reactant delivery (transport) into the fuel cell
2. Electrochemical reaction
3. Ionic conduction through the electrolyte and electronic conduction through the
external circuit
4. Product removal from the fuel cell
General working principle
• A fuel cell (FC) take fuel and oxidant as inputs and produce a current between
electrodes, exhausting side products

• Oxidation process happens in anode and Reduction process happens in

cathode
• The overall reaction of Fuel Cell is:
χ FU + χ OX → χ product
• Where:
– χ FU : Fuel reactant(s)
– χ OX : Oxidant(s)
– χ product: Products(s)
 • Based on mechanism, fuel cell can be classified into anion-conducting
electrolyte (A) and cation-conducting electrolyte (B)
• In anion-conducting electrolyte FC (A), anions flow from cathode to anode
through electrolyte
• In cation-conducting electrolyte FC (B), cations flow from anode to cathode
through electrolyte
• The electron always flows from anode to cathode ( after giving a general
understanding of …, we present to you …)
Electrochemical Reactions and Charge Carriers in Common Fuel Cells0.

–> Different kind of fuel cells has different charge carrier, reaction. However, the
common fuels are CO , H 2 , the oxidant is usually O2 , the common products are
C O2 , H 2 O

The common overall reactions are:

2 H 2+O 2 → 2 H 2 O

2 CO+O2 →2 C O2
Example for Cation-conducting electrolyte: PEMFC

Anode Cathode
Input, Fuel in ( H 2), excess fuel out ( H 2) Oxidant in (O2), Product out ( H 2 O )
output
Reaction H 2 (fuel) →2 H +¿+2 e¿
( charge carrier ) 4 H +¿+O 2(oxidant) +4 e →2 H2 O( product ) ¿

+¿¿ +¿¿
Charge H go through electrolyte to H are received from the electrolyte
carrier cathode (from anode)
Electron go through the wire, from anode to cathode, creating a current

Example for Anion-conducting electrolyte: SOFC

Anode Cathode
Input, Fuel in ( H 2), product out ( H 2 O ) Oxidant in (O2), excess oxidant out (
Output H 2O)
Reactio H 2 (fuel) +O2−¿→ 2 H 2 O(product) +2 e¿
O2 (oxidant) →2 O2−¿+ 2e ¿
(charge carrier)
n
2−¿¿ 2−¿¿
Charge O are recieved thourgh O go through the electrolyte (to
 Anode Cathode
carrier electrolyte from cathode anode)
Electron go through the wire, from anode to cathode, creating a current

Efficiency
• For a fuel cell to work, Eocathode > E oanode → E ocell >0
• Fuel cell convert directly chemical energy to
electrical energy and heat:
χ FU + χ OX → χ product +w electricity +Q
 Fuel cell is very efficent in energy
• Maximum efficiency:
η max =ΔGo / Δ H o
• In reality, the efficency of fuel cell can be affected
due to the voltage loss of activation, ohmic,
concentration, … ( now we move on to part 3..)

ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE

First we had
1. Advantages of fuel cells.

Energy efficient

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hydrogen fuel cells are generally between
40-60% energy efficient. This range compares to the typical internal combustion engine
of a car which is about 25% energy efficient and power plants at about 35 per cent. This
is a huge increase in efficiency and shows that the power going in is creating much
more energy.

Robust reliability
Hydrogen fuel cell technology has proven itself against tough conditions, including cold
environments as low as -40 degrees F/C, weather environments like hurricanes,
deserts, and winter storms, and even the hard-working business environments of
material handling warehouses.
Easy to store
Storing electricity for future use has been a problem for a long time. For example, if you
have solar panels on your roof and you have a week of glorious sunny weather, you
may want to store the energy that’s been created to use the following week when it’s
cloudy and raining. Unfortunately, the electricity that’s been created would need to be
turned into a chemical fuel and stored in a very large battery, which would be
expensive.

When hydrogen energy is stored, less energy loss occurs than in batteries. This means
that fuel cell energy is good for use in backup generators or emergency lighting, as it
could be stored for years but still work just as well.

Long-lasting solution

At the moment, electric cars contain a battery that needs to be charged. Charging this
battery can take hours, but the car may be only to drive a relatively short distance
before it needs charging again. With fuel cells, as long as the cells have a constant
hydrogen source, they can continue to create electricity. This means that instead of
filling your car up with fuel at a petrol station, you could be filling your car up with
hydrogen. You may be able to drive for a much longer distance on fuel cells than we
can with rechargeable electric cars

Zero emissions

When fossil fuels are burned, CO2 is produced. When hydrogen fuel cells are used to
create electricity, the only byproducts are H2O (water) and heat. If fuel cell technology
was used instead of traditional fuel in our cars, we could greatly reduce the amount of
CO2 that’s being created. The water that’s formed during this process is drinkable, too.
In fact, NASA has been using fuel cell technology for years to power its space shuttles
and the water is used by the crew to drink. People are becoming more interested in fuel
cells and the technology they could provide us with because they don’t create CO2 or
other gases that are harmful to our planet. (Beside its advantages, the fuel cell still has
some disadvantage)

2. Disadvantages of fuel cells.

Fuel cell systems suffer the following disadvantages:
Their high initial cost
A gallon of gasoline currently costs about $3.50, and that gallon will take a new Prius
about 50 miles, resulting in a fuel cost of $0.07 per mile. A kilogram of hydrogen gas
generated via wind powered electrolysis will cost $5-6, according to research from the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Upcoming fuel cell vehicles from
Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai will be able to travel more than 70 miles per kilo of
hydrogen. That's a fuel cost of $0.07 - $009 per mile... and that's for "green" hydrogen
made from renewable power. Hydrogen reformed from natural gas will cost half this
amount. Fuel cells suitable for automotive applications typically require the use of a
platinum catalyst to promote the power generation reaction. Platinum is a rare metal
and is very expensive.

Operating under moist condition

Fuel cells that use proton exchange membranes must not dry out during use and must
remain moist during storage. Attempts to start or operate these fuel cells under dry
conditions can lead to membrane damage.

Hydrogen fuel cells can still pose health risks.

Although hydrogen fuel cells do not release the same harmful emissions that other fuel
types offer when consumed, there are still some safety risks that must be considered
with this technology. Like any fuel, there will always be a risk of flammability with
hydrogen. Liquid hydrogen, which is often used to create the fuel cells in the first place,
is kept at extremely cold temperatures that can cause freeze burns that are potentially
dangerous to consumers as well.

The costs of transporting hydrogen are extremely high.

At this time, the cost of transporting hydrogen is about 4 times higher than any other
comparable energy resource we use. The reason for these high costs is that hydrogen
experiences high levels of energy loss when it is being transported in any form. Even
with modern technologies preventing energy loss, the industry expects up to a 20% boil-
off loss whenever hydrogen is being transported. During long-distance transports, up to
50% of the product can be lost. Without innovation in this category, it may be impossible
for some rural households to take advantage of this technology.
Ironically, hydrogen which is of such benefit environmentally when used in a fuel cell, is
also its greatest liability in that it is difficult to manufacture and store. Current
manufacturing processes are expensive and energy intensive, and often derive
ultimately from fossil fuels. An effective hydrogen infrastructure has yet to be
established. Gaseous hydrogen storage systems are large and heavy to accommodate
the low volumetric energy density of hydrogen. Liquid hydrogen storage systems are
much smaller and lighter, but must operate at cryogenic temperatures. Alternatively, if
hydrogen is stored as a hydrocarbon or alcohol and released on demand by way of an
on-board reformer, the storage and handling issues simplify, but some of the
environmental benefits are lost.

The last part of our presentation is

APPLICATION
The fuel cell can be used as …
1. Portable Power And Backup power

*Introduction:
- Portable fuel cells are lightweight, long-lasting, portable power sources that
prolong the amount of time a device can be used without recharging.
- Some portable fuel cell applications include laptops, cellular phones, power tools,
military equipment, battery chargers, underwater vehicles…
- For portable fuel cells, methanol and ethanol can be supplied to the fuel cell as
fuel.
*Backup Power:

- Backup power systems provide power when the primary power source is
disrupted
- Fuel cells used for backup power come in many sizes and types and typically use
hydrogen as their fuel
*About Backup Power:
- Do not depend on upon the implementation of a hydrogen infrastructure
- Some applications include computer systems, manufacturing facilities, homes
- and utility substations.
- The PEM fuel cell with compressed hydrogen fuel is the most popular fuel cell
type used for backup power applications
- An electrolyzer system is a good option for backup power applications
Next application of fuel cell is in transportation.

2. Transportation Applications
2.1 Automobiles

- Most automobile manufacturers have been developing fuel cell vehicles for at
least a couple of decades
- Fuel cell vehicles usually use compressed hydrogen as the fuel type
- A fuel cell supplies a constant amount of power or can be used as the secondary
power source.
- The operating temperature of an automotive fuel cell is between 60 to 80ºC due
to the utilization of the polymer membrane
2.2 Buses

- The difference between buses and automobiles are the power requirements,
space availability, operating regimen, and refueling sites
- Buses require more power than automobiles and get more wear due to constant
stops and starts
- Fuel cell buses have an advantage over diesel buses because they have zero
emissions.
- Large quantities of hydrogen can also be stored on-board buses easily because
of the available area of a bus

2.3 Utility Vehicles

- The technology for these vehicles is often lead-acid batteries which require
maintenance and charging
- Demonstrations of fuel cell utility vehicles show that they offer lower operating
cost, reduced maintenance, lower downtime, and extended range
- Fuel cell–powered utility vehicles can also be operated indoors because there
are no emissions
2.4 Scooters and Bicycles
- In countries with large populations, scooters and bicycles are popular forms of
transportation.
- Fuel cells have been positively demonstrated for these applications with
compressed hydrogen and methanol. Hydrogen storage is still an issue for these
vehicles
- Like the fuel cell automobiles, the fuel type most often used is compressed
hydrogen

The final application of fuel cell is

3. Stationary Power

*Applications Of Stationary Power:

- It is often used to power houses that are not connected to the grid or to provide
supplemental power
- In hybrid power systems, fuel cells can be connected to batteries, capacitors, or
wind turbines, providing primary or secondary power
- Unlike other fuel cell applications, the fuel type most often used is natural gas

*Some information you might not notice:

- Fuel cells for stationary applications have been used commercially for over
twenty years
The most common stationary fuel cell type is the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
(PEM)