By: Stavan Shah, Dong June Jang, William Zheng, Andrew
Peck
Slide 3
A fuel cell is a kind of voltaic cell All fuel cells produce
electricity from Hydrogen and Oxygen and generate heat and water as
byproducts Fuel cells are different than other batteries because
they use an external supply of fuel Fuel cells vary depending on
their external fuel source Fuel cells are considered to be the
future of energy Preface
http://pediain.com/seminar/Fuel-cell-seminar-report.php
http://news.thomasnet.com/imt/2012/08/07/senators-
attempt-to-put-hydrogen-and-fuel-cells-back-on-federal-clean-
energy-radar
Slide 4
Hydrogen comes into anode H 2 2H + +2e - The hydrogen ions flow
through the electrolyte The electrons flow through an electrical
current and create electricity Oxygen comes into cathode 2H + +2e -
+O 2 H 2 O Heat and water is released Chemistry Involved
http://addis.caltech.edu/research/FCs%2
0for%20sustain%20energy.html
Slide 5
Fuel Cell Stack- An anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Fuel Cell
Processor- Can be either a Steam Methane Reformer, a Partial
Oxidation Reformer, or an Autothermal Reformer. Electrolyzer-
Separates water molecules using electricity to for hydrogen and
oxygen atoms Fuel Cell Conditioner- Conditions the DC electricity
into AC electricity which is used in most devices. Fuel cells are
secondary batteries Components of Fuel Cells
http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/type s-fuel-cells
Slide 6
Petroleum scarce, wanted to make alternative fuel Created in
1839 by William Grove. Called gas battery Wanted to make it more
efficient In 1889 Charles Langer and Ludwig Mond expand on Groves
work and name fuel cell In 1950s General Electric invents proton
exchange membrane fuel cell 1959 Francis Bacon made 5 kW Alkaline
fuel cell Historical Context http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willia
m_Robert_Grove
Slide 7
Fuels cells have long been used in the space program to provide
electricity and water for astronauts In the near future, fuel cells
will be able to power virtually anything that runs on electricity
spanning from computers to cell phones Buses, backup power,
material handling machinery, and cars Fuel cells are very efficient
and very cost-effective and will soon power vehicles as announced
by the President and many carmakers. Uses
http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-explains-why-fuel-cells-are-the-future
/
Uses a water-based, acidic polymer membrane as its electrolyte
These types of fuel cells operate on pure Hydrogen Lower
temperature and pressure ranges Used in the Space Shuttle in 2011
Transforms chemical energy to electrical energy Proton Exchange
Membrane Fuel Cells http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_e
xchange_membrane_fuel_cell
Slide 10
Use liquid phosphoric acid as the electrolyte First fuel cells
to be commercialized Disadvantages of PAFC cells: Low power density
Aggressive electrolyte Advantages of PAFC cells: At 200 degrees
Celsius, they can tolerate a CO concentration of about 1.5%
Concentrated phosphoric acid electrolyte can operate above the
boiling point of water Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells ( PAFC)
http://www.e-sources.com/fuelcell-PAFC.htm
Slide 11
Producing Fuel Cells: Step 1:Ceramic materials along with
additives and solvents are milled to a fine powder. This mixture is
fed into a conveyer with a knife which shapes the layer and a kiln
which dries the mixture. Step 2: The electrochemical active anodes
and electrolyte levels are sprayed onto the sheet with a spray
robot. Step 3: The sheet is cut into the desired shape and sized.
They are then sintered in very high temperature ovens or kilns.
While in the oven, the cells will shrink as the ceramics particles
stick to one another. After sintering, the cells are checked again,
and the high quality ones move on. Cathode and contact layers are
then added using a spray or printing process. Manufacturing
http://www.topsoefuelcell.com/news_and_info/about_fuel_cells/cell.aspx
Slide 12
Simple disposal because fuel cells are relatively
environmentally friendly Homeowners- Under federal law, homeowners
can dispose of fuel cells as everyday garbage, but state and local
laws may vary. Businesses- Must dispose of discarded fuel cells at
proper waste treatment facilities. Disposal
Slide 13
Fuel cells have a higher efficiency than other oil, nuclear,
and coal energy Hydrogen fuel-cells only produce water as a
byproduct; very green and environmental friendly Use of hydrogen
gas and oxygen gas as fuel is more sustainable and more abundant
than fossil fuels Strengths http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/keep-earth-
green/images/10959445/title/green-earth-fanart
Slide 14
Fuel cells are very expensive to manufacture Fueling the fuel
cells is difficult because the transportation and storage of
hydrogen gas safely is difficult and unwieldy Public accessibility
to hydrogen gas is extremely limited, so its use as a source of
energy for transportation is impossible The development and
research of fuel cells is not entirely complete, so few products
are available Limitations