Imagine

A future with no wars over limited supplies of Oil

A future when every country is energy selfsufficient
Earth with no Acid rains, Ozone depletion or
warming

Fuel Cell
The energy solution for Future
Seminar by :-

Fuel cell
-Energy of
Future

Electricity
In principle, Fuel cells are
electrochemical
devices
like
batteries
that
convert
the
chemical energy of a fuel directly
and
very
efficiently
into
electricity (DC) and heat, thus
doing away with combustion.
Unlike a battery, a fuel cell does
not
run
down
or
require
recharging. It will produce energy
in the form of electricity and heat
as long as fuel is supplied.
Electrodes

Electrolyte

What is a Fuel Cell?

Hydrogen In
Electricity Out
Byproducts Water, Heat

1839: Sir William Grove

invents the first fuel cell

1993: Ballard Power Systems

launches first proof-of-concept
hydrogen fuel cell bus, Vancouver

Late 1950s: Allis-Chambers

Manufacturing Co. demonstrates
20 hp fuel cell-powered tractor

1996: Daimler Benz and Toyota

are first major companies to
unveil prototype fuel cell-powered
passenger cars

1965: NASA uses alkaline fuel

cell in Apollo space missions

2000: Ballard Power Systems

unveils worlds first productionready fuel cell for automotive use

1970: Karl Kordesch builds the

first practical fuel cell car

2001: Honda opens the first

hydrogen production and
fueling station in Torrance, CA

1993: Ballard Power Systems

launches first proof-of-concept
hydrogen fuel cell bus in Vancouver

2004: The Worlds first fuel

cell-powered submarine
undergoes deep-water trials
MTI Micro Fuel Cells introduces a
proof-of-concept fuel cell
that runs handheld devices

OXYGEN

Fuel
Reformer
FUEL INPUT

Converts
to
Hydrogen

HYDROGEN
RICH GAS

(AIR)

FUEL
CELL

DC POWER
OUTPUT

INVERTER

WATER

Heat used for Fuel Reforming

HEAT
RECOVERY

Additional Heat

AC POWER
OUTPUT

Layers of materials with distinct

electrochemical properties are
sandwiched together to form a
single galvanic cell.At the heart
lies a membrane that can only
be crossed by charged
molecules.
Gas-permeable
electrodes
coated
with
a
catalyst
adhere
to
this
membrane, adding a layer on
either side.These electrodes are
in turn connected to a device
that can utilize electricity a
load which creates a complete
electrical circuit.

Hydrogen gas(H2)flows into

channels on one face of the
cell and migrates through that
electrode, while the same
occurs with oxygen gas (O2,
typically from the ambient air)
along the opposite electrode.

Spurred by a catalyst, favorable chemistry causes the

hydrogen to oxidize into hydrogen protons and give up its
electrons to the neighboring electrode, which thereby
becomes the anode. This buildup of negative charge then
follows the path of least resistance via the external circuit to
the other electrode (the cathode). It is this flow of electrons
through a circuit that creates electricity.

But this wouldn't continue for long

without a complete electrochemical
cycle. As the electrical current begins
to
flow,hydrogen
protons
pass
through the membrane from the
anode to the cathode.
When the electrons return from doing worklighting your
house , charging a battery, or powering your car's motor, for
examplethey react with oxygen and the hydrogen protons at
the cathode to form water.Heat emanates from this union (an
exothermic reaction), as well as from the frictional resistance
of ion transfer through the membrane. This thermal energy
can be utilized outside the fuel cell.
Anode Reaction: H2 > 2 H+ + 2 eCathode Reaction: O2 + 2 H+ + 2 e- > H2O

www.minihydrogen.dk

Hydrocarbons:

Oxidation:
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O
Still produces CO2!!
Incomplete Oxidation:
2 CH4 + O2 2 CO

+ 4 H2
Produces CO that must be converted to CO2!!
Electrolysis of water

remember H2 + O2 H2O, E = 1.23 V

can be reversed H2O H2 + O2
Requires large amounts of energy!!

Fuel Cells Vs Conventional

Power Sources
Chemical energy of fuel and oxidizer

Combustion
chamber

Fuel cell

Heat

Turbine or engine

Mechanical
energy

Electric
generator

Electric current

FC is an
electrochemical device
in which the energy of
fuel and oxidant
continuously supplied
to electrodes is directly
converted into
electricity without lowefficient combustion
process.
As there is no
heat/power conversion
in these devices, their

Fuel Cell type

Electrolyte

Anode gas

Cathode
gas

Temp
o
C

Efficienc
y%

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

Ceramic
Oxides

Hydrogen /
Methane

Atm
Oxygen

800 1000

45 - 60

Solid Oxide
( SOFC)

Stationary power generation

Residential
Transportation No pollution
Portable power Miniature Fuel Cells
Land fill Waste treatment Power from

Methane in-situ .

Current Products:
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
adapters for wireless sets
Current Status:
26 models in current use
(use in US )
Benefits:
Low noise, Low heat
Light weight

A 30 ft. Hydrogen Fuel cell powered transit

bus made by Ballard Power Systems in
Canada.
It has a 275 horsepower engine, and a
range of 250 miles before requiring
refueling.

Operates between
-20C and 95C.

Honda has
also built a
hydrogen
production
and filling
station

Driving range 100 miles.

H2 Fuel Cell

No other energy generating technology holds

the combination of benefits that fuel cells offer

zero emissions
Physical security : resources evenly distributed in
nature
High Reliability
Reduced number of energy transformations
High Efficiency as high as 85%
ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY

Limitations of Fuel Cells

Transportation and storage of fuels (Hydrogen gas)
Lack of Infrastructure
Energy needed to produce Hydrogen from
High cost
New technology

Storage

Production

Use

Innovative Tank
Designs

Bio-mass &
Electrolysis

Fuel for FUEL CELLS

Solar powered
Electrolysis

Photoelectrochemical

Algal Production

Fuel cell
future energy

Thank you all