Fuel cells provide a clean source of power by converting chemical energy from fuels into electrical energy. They have two electrodes and an electrolyte in between that produces DC power. Fuel cells are classified based on their electrolyte type and operating temperature. Some key fuel cell types include proton exchange membrane fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells. Fuel cells have applications in transportation, portable power devices, and stationary power generation due to their high efficiency and low emissions. However, fuel cells still face challenges related to cost, infrastructure, and durability that must be addressed for widespread commercialization.
2. CONTENTS
Introduction
Operation of fuel cell
Chemistry of fuel cell
How fuel cell works
Classification of fuel cell
Phosphoric acid fuel cell
Alkaline fuel cell
Proton exchange fuel cell
Molten carbonate fuel cell
Solid oxide fuel cell
Reference
3. INTRODUCTION
Fuel cell provides a clean source of power in comparison to
other sources like hydro, thermal, nuclear etc
It is known as cell because of some similarities with primary
cell.
It has two electrodes and an electrolyte between them
which produces dc power.
However, active materials are supplied from outside unlike
conventional cell.
4. A static device which converts the chemical energy of fuels
into electrical energy.
First crude fuel cell was developed in
1839
It was developed by welsh physicist William Grove
First commercial use of fuel cells was in NASA space
programs to generate power for probes, satellites and space
capsules
7. Classification of fuel cell
Based on the type of electrolyte
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
Alkaline Fuel Cell
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Based on the types of the fuel and
oxidant
Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell
Ammonia-air fuel cell
Hydrazine-oxygen fuel cell
Hydrocarbon (gas) fuel cell
Hydrocarbon (liquid) fuel cell
8. Based on the type of operating
temperature
Low temperature fuel cell(below 150° C)
Medium temperature fuel cell(150-250° C)
High temperature fuel cell(250-800° C)
Very high temperature fuel cell(800-1100° C)
Based on application
Space application
Vehicle propulsion
Submarines
Defense application
Commercial application
9. Based on the chemical nature
of electrolyte
Acidic electrolyte type
Alkaline electrolyte type
Neutral electrolyte type
10. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
It was developed in 1980s.
It consists of two electrodes of porous conducting
material (commonly nickel) to collect charge ,with
concentrated phosphoric acid filled between them
, to work as electrolyte.
Platinum catalyst is added to both electrode to
enhance the rate of the reaction.
12. Alkaline fuel cell
It is the oldest fuel cell
It uses 40% aqueous KOH as electrolyte
The operating temperature is about 90°C
The fuel must be free from carbon dioxide
The presence of carbon dioxide in fuel results
in the formation of potassium carbonate which
increases resistance of cell
They were used in Apollo spacecraft to
provide both electricity and drinking water
14. proton exchange membrane
fuel cell
A solid membrane of organic material like polystyrene sulphonic acid
is used as electrolyte
A finely divided platinum is deposited on each surface of the
membrane
It serves as an electrochemical catalyst and current collector
It retains only limited quantity of water
This fuel cell operates at 40-60°C
15. Molten carbonate fuel
cell
It uses carbonate of alkali metals in molten state as
electrolyte
This requires the cell operation above the melting
point(about 600-700°C) of the respective carbonates
Because of high temperature it does not need any catalyst
17. SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL
It uses a hard, ceramic compound of metal (like
Ca ,Zr) oxides as electrolyte.
Operating temperature is about 600-1000°C
The anode is made of porous nickel and cathode
employs metal oxide like indium oxide
The high temperature limits applications of SOFC
units and they tend to be rather large.
Solid electrolytes cannot leak, but they can
crack.
19. S. No. Fuel Cell Op. temp Fuel Efficiency
1 PEMFC 40-60°C H2 48-58%
2 AFC 90°C H2 64%
3 PAFC 150-200°C H2 42%
4 MCFC 600-700°C H2 and CO 50%
5 SOFC 600-1000°C H2 and CO 60-65%
20. classification of FUELs
Direct type
Introduced directly in the cell without any transformation
Examples are Pure Hydrogen,Hydazine(N2H4)
Indirect type
Introduced after reforming to a mixture of H2 and some other products
Examples are Ammonia,Methanol
23. Fuel processor
The fuel processor converts fuel into a form usable by
the fuel cell
Current inverters and conditioners
DC to AC converter are used
Power conditioning includes controlling current flow
(amperes), voltage, frequency, and other characteristics
Heat recovery system
Excess energy can be used to produce steam or hot
water or to be converted to electricity via a gas turbine
or other technology
27. TRANSPORT
The fuel cell bus sector is showing year-on-year
growth, with more prototypes being unveiled
Successful deployments have taken place in
Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA
Forklift trucks and other goods handling vehicles such
as airport baggage trucks etc
Light duty vehicles (LDVs), such as cars and vans
Buses and trucks
Trains and trams
Ferries and smaller boat
28.
29. PORTABLE
Portable fuel cells are those which are built into, or charge
up, products that are designed to be moved
These include military applications, auxiliary power
units, personal electronics, portable products
Portable fuel cells are being developed in a wide range of
sizes ranging from less than 5 W up to 20 KW.
Off-grid operation
Longer run-times compared with batteries
Rapid recharging
Significant weight reduction potential (for soldier-borne
military power)
Convenience, reliability, and lower operating costs also
apply
30.
31. STATIONARY
Stationary fuel cells are units which provide electricity but are not
designed to be moved
These include combined heat and power (CHP), uninterruptible
power systems (UPS) and primary power units.
Residential CHP units have been deployed extensively in Japan
with more than 10,000 cumulative units by the end of 2010
South Korea has also deployed CHP units for residential use
32.
33. Application type portable stationary Transport
Definition Units that are built
into, or charge up,
products that are
designed to be
moved including
auxiliary power
units(APU)
Units that provide
electricity(and
sometimes heat)
but are not
designed to be
moved
Units that produced
propulsive power or
range extension to
a vehicle
Power range 5W to20KW O.5 KW to 400KW 1KW to 100KW
Technology PEMFC
DMFC
PEMFC PAFC
MCFC SOFC
PEMFC
DMFC
examples Non-motive APU
Military
applications(portabl
e soldier-borne
power)
Portable
products(torches,
battery chargers)
Large stationary
combined heat and
power(CHP)
Small stationary
micro-CHP
Uninterruptible
power sources(UPS)
Fuel cell electric
vehicles(FCEV)
Trucks and buses
34.
35. LOSSES
Activation losses
These losses are caused by the slowness of the reaction taking
place on the surface of the electrodes.
Ohmic losses
The voltage drop due to the resistance to the flow of electrons
through the material of the electrodes.
This loss varies linearly with current density.
Concentration losses
Losses that result from the change in concentration of the
reactants at the surface of the electrodes as the fuel is used.
Fuel crossover losses
Losses that result from the waste of fuel passing through the
electrolyte and electron conduction through the electrolyte.
36. ADVANTAGES
It is eco-friendly, noiseless and has no rotating
part.
It is a decentralized plant.
Because of modular nature ,any voltage/current
level can be realized
High efficiency up to 55% as compared to
conventional which has 30%
No transmission and distribution losses
Wide choice of fuel for fuel cell
In addition to electric power, fuel cell plant also
supply hot water, space heat and steam
Requires less space
37. disadvantages
Cost to implement a fuel cell system exceeds
$4,000 per KW
Feasible way to produce, ship, and distribute
hydrogen
Lack of hydrogen infrastructure and life
span of fuel cell
38. Challenges
Cost
• Currently, the cost is in the $4,000+ range per KW(Rs 20
crore per MW)
• Fuel cells could become competitive if they reach an
installed cost of $1,500 or less per KW for stationary
application
• A competitive cost of the order of $60 - $100 per KW in
automobile sector would be acceptable
Durability and reliability
• The long-term performance and reliability of fuel cell
systems has not been significantly demonstrated to the
market
39. Infrastructure
• Fuel Infrastructure
If vehicles are hydrogen-based then an infrastructure
for producing, distributing, storing, delivering and
maintaining hydrogen fuel is important.
In the case of portable applications, the most likely fuel
is methanol-based which is sold in a cartridge-like
format.
• Human Resource Infrastructure
Service: This is a brand new technology so qualified
service and maintenance personnel will be needed.
Development: A critical need today is for qualified
technical personnel to assist in the development and
commercialization of these products.
40. System size
• The size and weight of current fuel cell systems must be
further reduced to meet the packaging requirements for
automobiles
Fuel Flexibility
Air, Thermal, and Water Management
Improved Heat Recovery Systems
41. PRESENT STATUS
Fuel cell industry began its road to commercialisation
in 2007
An 11.2 MW installation in Korea is the world’s largest
fuel cell power plant till today
In Germany more than 250 fuel cell micro-CHP system
have been installed under the callux programme
Commercial production of fuel cell scooters has started
in Taiwan in 2012
At the end of 2011, 215 hydrogen refuelling stations
was in operation worldwide. The stations are located in
Europe (85), North America (80), Asia Pacific (47) and
the Rest of the World (3).
In USA, at the end of 2011 Clear Edge has over 100
installations of its 5 kW ClearEdge5 HT PEMFC unit in
California
42. Hyundai ix35 FCEV, Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL
Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses
In May 2012, the world’s largest platinum producer
Anglo American Platinum launched a fuel cell powered
mine locomotive prototype.
Some of the agencies involved in development of fuel
cells in India are
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources (MNES)
• Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)
• Indian Railways,
• Indian Institute of Science and Central Glass & Ceramic
Research Institute,
• Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), Bharat Heavy
Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), and Reva Electric Car Company
At Vijayawada and Chennai hydrogen filling station are
established
43. REFEreNCE
• Khan, B.H., Non Conventional Energy Resources,,New Delhi: McGraw-
Hill Third Reprint 2008
• Kothari,D.P, Singhal K.C,Ranja,Rakesh,Renewable Energy
Sources and Emerging Technologies,New Delhi: PHI
Learning Private Limited Second Edition Nov 2011
• Nice,Karim and Strickland, Jonathan. "How Fuel Cells Work:
Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells". How Stuff Works,
accessed August 4, 2011
• http://openaccesslibrary.org/images/HAR224_Adesh_Shar
ma.pdf
• http://policy.rutgers.edu/ceeep/hydrogen/education/Ther
modynamicsFuelCells.pdf
• http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/media/1713685/fct_review_
2012.pdf