RAJASTHAN INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

JAIPURDEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

A SEMINAR ON

“HYDROGEN FUEL CELL”

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY: Mr. RAGHAV DHAKER PRASHANT KUMAR (ASTT. PROFESSOR,ME) BRANCH:-ME

Roll No:-

CONTENTS

• History• Hydrogen Energy• Fuel Cell• Importance Of Fuel Cell Technology• Working Of Fuel Cell• Types Of Fuel Cell• Importance Of Hydrogen• Hydrogen Production• Applications• Benefits

HISTORY

1838: discovered by German scientist Christian Friedrich Schoenbein

1839: Demonstrated by Welsh scientist Sir William Robert Grove

Hydrogen Energy

Hydrogen is the simplest and the most plentiful element in the universe. It's always combined with other elements.

Hydrogen is high in energy, yet an engine that burns pure hydrogen produces almost no pollution.

NASA has used liquid hydrogen since the 1970s to propel the space shuttle and other rockets into orbit.

WHAT IS A FUEL CELL?

A Fuel Cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as its by-product.

overall reaction: oxidation of a fuel by oxygen

2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(l) (Hydrogen) Fuel + oxygen water

WHY IS FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY IMPORTANT?

Since conversion of the fuel to energy takes place via an electrochemical process, not combustion.

It is a clean, quiet and highly efficient process- two to three times more efficient than fuel burning.

How does a Fuel Cell work?

It operates similarly to a battery, but it does not

run down nor does it require recharging

As long as fuel is supplied, a Fuel Cell will produce

both energy and heat

A Fuel Cell consists of two catalyst coated electrodes

surrounding an electrolyte

One electrode is an anode and the other is a cathode

The process begins when Hydrogen molecules enter

the anode

The catalyst coating separates hydrogen’s negatively

charged electrons from the positively charged protons

The electrolyte allows the protons to pass through to

the cathode, but not the electrons

Instead the electrons are directed through an

external circuit which creates electrical current

While the electrons pass through the external circuit,

oxygen molecules pass through the cathode There the oxygen and the protons combine with the

electrons after they have passed through the external

circuit

When the oxygen and the protons combine with the

electrons it produces water and heat

TYPES OF FUEL CELLS

Fuel Cell type Electrolyte Anode gas Cathode gas

Temp oC

Efficiency %

Proton Ex Membrane

(PEM)

Solid polymer membrane

Hydrogen Pure or Atm Oxygen

75 35 - 60

Alkaline (AFC)

Potassium Hydroxide

Hydrogen Pure Oxygen

< 80 50 - 70

Direct Methanol ( DMFC)

Solid polymer membrane

Methanol solln in Water

Atm Oxygen 75 35 - 40

Phosphoric Acid (PAFC)

Phosphorus Hydrogen Atm Oxygen 210 35 - 50

Molten Carbonate

(MCFC)

Alkali Carbonate

Hydrogen / Methane

Atm Oxygen 650 40 - 55

Solid Oxide ( SOFC)

Ceramic Oxides

Hydrogen / Methane

Atm Oxygen 800 - 1000

45 - 60

Proton Exchange Membrane(PEM)

This is the leading cell type for passenger

car application

Uses a polymer membrane as the electrolyte

Operates at a relatively low temperature,

about 175 degrees

Sensitive to fuel impurities

Phosphoric Acid

This is the most commercially developed fuel cell

It generates electricity at more than

40% efficiency Uses liquid phosphoric acid as the electrolyte and operates at about 450 degrees F One main advantage is that it can use impure hydrogen as fuel

Solid Oxide

Uses a hard, non-porous ceramic compound as the electrolyte Can reach 60% power generating efficiency Operates at extremely high temperatures 1800 degrees Used mainly for large, high powered applications such as industrial generating stations, mainly because it requires such high temperatures

Alkaline

Used mainly by military and space programs

Can reach 70% power generating efficiency, but considered to

costly for transportation applications

Used on the Apollo spacecraft to provide electricity and

drinking water

Uses a solution of potassium hydroxide in water as the

electrolyte and operates at 75 -160 degrees

Can use a variety of non-precious metals as catalyst at the

anode and cathode

Regenerative Fuel Cells

Currently researched by NASA

This type of fuel cell involves a closed loop form of

power generation

Uses solar energy to separate water into hydrogen and

oxygen

Hydrogen and oxygen are fed into the fuel cell

generating electricity, heat and water

The water by product is then recirculated back to the

solar-powered electrolyser beginning the process again

IMPORTANCE OF HYDROGEN

Fuel Cells require highly purified

hydrogen as a fuel

Researchers are developing a wide range

of technologies to produce hydrogen

economically from a variety of resources in

environmentally friendly ways

Hydrogen Production

The biggest challenge regarding hydrogen production is the cost

There are three general categories of Hydrogen production

Thermal Processes Electrolyte ProcessesPhotolytic Processes

Fuel Cell Technology Be Used

Transportation

Stationary Power Stations

Telecommunications

Micro Power

Benefits Of Fuel Cell Technology

Physical Security

Reliability

Efficiency

Environmental Benefits

Battery Replacement/Alternative

Military Applications

Hydrogen - Today

Production Storage

Use

Steam Reforming of Petroleum

Cryogenic Liquid

Space Programme

Hydrogen - Tomorrow

Production Storage

Use

Bio-mass & Electrolysis

Innovative Tank Designs

Fuel for FUEL CELLS

Hydrogen Production For Future

Photo-electrochemical

Algal Production

Solar powered Electrolysis

QUERIES?

THANK YOU