| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
# [[Solid oxide fuel cells]]- operate at extremely high temperatures allowing them to tolerate impure fuels, have a simple design. | # [[Solid oxide fuel cells]]- operate at extremely high temperatures allowing them to tolerate impure fuels, have a simple design. | ||
# [[Proton exchange membrane]] ([[PEM]])- use a thin plastic film as an electrolyte, produce a powerful electric [[current]] relative to their size, deliver higher power density resulting in reduced weight and improved cost and volume performance.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENV PEM fuel cell used in ENV motorcycle, operates on hydrogen]</ref> | # [[Proton exchange membrane]] ([[PEM]])- use a thin plastic film as an electrolyte, produce a powerful electric [[current]] relative to their size, deliver higher power density resulting in reduced weight and improved cost and volume performance.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENV PEM fuel cell used in ENV motorcycle, operates on hydrogen]</ref> | ||
# [[Microbial fuel cells]]- uses microorganisms to produce electricity | |||
== Fuel cell applications == | == Fuel cell applications == | ||
Revision as of 10:11, 8 October 2012
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device in which the energy of a chemical reaction is converted directly into electricity. This electricity can then be used to power a electric motor, or it can be simply supplied to the mains electricity grid.
History of the fuel cell
The fuel cell was invented by Sir William Grove in 1839. The fuel cell he made is similar materials to todays phosphoric-acid fuel cell. In the 1960's, the first application was used in the Gemini and Apollo space programs. Then in the 1970's, a fuel cell was developed to be used on Earth. It eventually was tested to be used with utilities and automobiles in the 1980's.
How a fuel cell works
To form electricity you need to combine H2 fuel with O2 air without combustion of any form. H2O and heat are the only by products when H2 is used as a fuel source.
Anode side (external supplies of fuel) 2H2 => 4H+ + 4e-
Cathode side (oxidant) O2 + 4H+ +4e- => 2H2O
Net reaction 2H2 + O2 => 2H2O
Types of fuel cells
- Alkaline fuel cells- used by NASA in the Apollo and space shuttle programs, used to power electrical systems on spacecraft
- Phosphoric acid fuel cells- used for stationary power applications, used in hotels, and hospitals in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.
- Molten carbohydrate fuel cells- operate at high temperatures to use fuel directly, built in the U.S. and Japan.
- Solid oxide fuel cells- operate at extremely high temperatures allowing them to tolerate impure fuels, have a simple design.
- Proton exchange membrane (PEM)- use a thin plastic film as an electrolyte, produce a powerful electric current relative to their size, deliver higher power density resulting in reduced weight and improved cost and volume performance.[1]
- Microbial fuel cells- uses microorganisms to produce electricity
Fuel cell applications
- Automobiles
- Portable Power
- Buses
- Home Power Generation
- Large Power Generation
- Landfill Waste Treatment
In regards to home power generation: some groups as Ballard Power Systems are working to develop something called a "regenerative fuel cell". This is a device that can generate hydrogen and oxygen when power is available, and combine these efficiently when power is needed. As hydrogen is very difficult to store for a long time, using and producing it in quick succession seems a good idea (if it can indeed be accomplished fast enough).