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Module-V RES

The document provides information about fuel cell technology and phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) specifically. It discusses the components, reactions, and characteristics of PAFCs. PAFCs use phosphoric acid as the electrolyte and platinum catalysts. They produce electricity and heat from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. While PAFCs are non-polluting and have cogeneration abilities, they also have disadvantages like low ion conductivity at low temperatures and electrode degradation from acid corrosion. PAFCs are commercially used for stationary power generation between 50kW to 200kW and for powering vehicles.

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saravanan.ty
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10 views

Module-V RES

The document provides information about fuel cell technology and phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) specifically. It discusses the components, reactions, and characteristics of PAFCs. PAFCs use phosphoric acid as the electrolyte and platinum catalysts. They produce electricity and heat from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. While PAFCs are non-polluting and have cogeneration abilities, they also have disadvantages like low ion conductivity at low temperatures and electrode degradation from acid corrosion. PAFCs are commercially used for stationary power generation between 50kW to 200kW and for powering vehicles.

Uploaded by

saravanan.ty
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Lecture on

Renewable Energy Systems (20EE3008)

By
Saravanan T Y
Asst. Prof. & Asst. CoE
Module-V: NEC (Autonomous)
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY Gudur
Course Syllabus
MODULE-V: FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY

Description, properties and operation of fuel cells, Major components & general
characteristics of fuel cells, Indirect methanol fuel cell systems. Phosphoric acid
fuel cell systems and molten carbonate fuel cell systems, applications.
Introduction to Fuel Cell Technology

• A fuel cell is an electrochemical device in which the chemical energy of a


conventional fuel is converted directly and efficiently into low voltage, direct
current electrical energy.
• Fuel cell systems generally operate on pure hydrogen and air to produce
electricity.

• One of the chief advantages of such a device in that because the conversion, at
least in theory, can be carried out isothermally, the Carnot limitation on
efficiency does not apply.

• The essential difference between the primary/secondary cell and fuel cell is of
continuous energy input and output of fuel cell. A fuel cell system requires
continuous supply of a fuel and an oxidizer and generates D.C. electric
power continuously.
• A battery has stored electrochemical energy within its container. After
discharge it needs recharging or replacement.
• Fuel cells do not need such recharging replacement. A fuel cell is often
described as a primary battery in which the fuel and oxidize are stored external
to the battery and fed to it as needed.

• Fuel cells can be manufactured as large or as small as necessary for the


particular power application.
• Presently, there are fuel cells that are the size of a pencil eraser and generate
few milliwatts of power while there are others large enough to provide large
amount of power.

• The power output of fuel cells is fully scalable by varying the cross-sectional
area of each cell to get desired current and by stacking multiple cells in series
to obtain the desired voltage.
Note:
• The first fuel cell was developed in 1839 in England by Sir William Grove.
• However, the application of fuel cell was first demonstrated by Francis T.
Bacon in 1959 when his model generated 5kW at 24V. Its practical application
began during the 1960s when the US space programme choose fuel cells over
nuclear power and solar energy.
• Fuel cells provided power to the Gemini, Apollo and Skylab spacecraft,
continue to be used to provide electricity and water to space shuttles.
Advantages of Fuel Cells

1. Conversion efficiencies are high.


2. Require little attention and less maintenance.
3. Can be installed near the use point, thus reducing electrical transmission
requirements and accompanying losses.
4. Fuel cell is odourless and does not make any noise.
5. A little time is needed to go into operation.
6. Space requirement considerably less in comparison to conventional power
plants.
7. Simple and safe.
8. Pollution free.
9. No cooling water needed.
10. Capacity can be increased as the demand grows.
11. Long life.
Disadvantages of Fuel Cells
1. High initial cost.
2. Low service life.
3. Problems for refilling in vehicles.

Applications of Fuel Cells


1. Domestic use.
2. Automotive vehicles.
3. Central power stations.
4. Defense applications.
5. Space projects.
Fuel cells are primarily suited for low voltage and high current
applications.
Note: The human body functions essentially like a fuel cell. Living things take in
food (fuel) and oxygen to produce both thermal energy and work output. They
are not heat engines.
Components and Working of a Fuel Cell

The main components of a cell are:


1. Anode (Fuel electrode)
2. Cathode (oxidant electrode)
3. Electrolyte
4. Container
5. Separators
6. Sealings
7. Fuel supply
8. Oxidizer.
• The 'fuel gas' diffuses through the anode and is oxidized, thus releasing
electrons to the external circuit.

• The 'oxidizer' diffuses through the cathode and is reduced by the electrons
that have come from the anode by way of the external circuit.

• The fuel cell is a device that keeps the fuel molecules from mixing with the
oxidizer molecules, permitting, however, the transfer of electrons by a
metallic path that may contain a load.

• The available fuels, hydrogen has so far given the most promising results,
although cells consuming coal, oil or natural gas would be economically
much more useful for large scale applications.
Some of the possible reactions are:
Classification of Fuel Cells

A. Based on the type of electrolyte:


1. Alkaline fuel cell (AFC).
2. Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC).
3. Polymer electrolytic membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).
4. Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC).
5. Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).

B. Based on operating temperature:


6. Low temperature fuel cell 25–100°C.
7. Medium temperature fuel cell (below 100–500°C).
8. High temperature fuel cell (500–1000°C).
9. Very high temperature fuel cell (Above 1100°C).
C. Based on the types of fuel and oxidant:
1. Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.
2. Hydrogen - air fuel cell.
3. Hydrazine-oxygen fuel cell.
4. Ammonia-air fuel cell.
5. Synthesis gas-air fuel cell.
6. Hydrocarbon (gas) - air fuel cell.
7. Hydrocarbon (liquid) - air fuel cell.

Types of fuels used in fuel cells:


8. Hydrogen (H2).
9. Hydrocarbon fuels.
10. Fossil fuel.
11. Alcohol fuel.
12. Hydrazine (N2H4) fuel.
Requirements of Electrolyte and Electrode

Electrolyte:
1. It should be conductive to ions.
2. It should be electrically non-conductive.
3. Ions should be free to move through the electrolyte.
4. The composition of electrolyte should not get changed during operation.

Electrode:
5. It should be electrically conductive.
6. It should not react with electrolyte to prevent corrosion.
7. It should be able to withstand high temperature.
8. It should also act as a catalyst to convert hydrogen and oxygen molecules
into their ions.
Desirable Characteristics of a Fuel Cell

1. It should have high energy conversion efficiency.


2. It should produce low chemical pollution.
3. It should be flexible to choose any fuel.
4. It should have cogeneration capability and rapid load response.
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)
• The phosphoric acid cell consists of two electrodes of porous conducting
material (e.g. nickel) to collect charge and, ‘phosphoric acid’ used as
electrolyte.

• At anode, hydrogen molecule is split into hydrogen ions (protons) and


electrons. The electrons flow through external circuit and produce electric
power while protons travel through electrolyte and combine with oxygen,
usually from air, at the cathode to form water.

• The electrochemical reaction is very slow, so a catalyst is required in the


electrode to accelerate the reaction. The catalysts used are platinum, nickel
(for anode) and silver (for cathode).

• Platinum is the best catalyst for both electrodes. Reactions in this fuel cell
produce electricity and by-product heat.
• Anode:

• Cathode:

• Overall reaction:

• At atmospheric pressure PAFC produces an ideal emf of 1.23V at 25°C


which reduces to 1.15 V at operating temperature between 150 to 200°C.
Advantages:
1. It has better tolerance to carbon monoxide (tolerance is 1%) is the advantage
of the PAFC
2. They are pollution free and eco-friendly
3. These cells are not sensitive to CO2
4. It has the possibility of cogeneration (electricity-heat)
5. They have low volatility etc.
Disadvantages:
6. The electrolyte solidifies around 40 degree Centigrade, so the fuel cell must
be kept at higher temperature to avoid damaging the electrodes
7. They are poor ion conductors at low temperature
8. The strong corrosively of the acid causes deterioration of the electrodes.
9. The carbon monoxide tends to severely poison platinum in the catalyst.
10. They have relatively high start-up time
11. The catalyst used is the high cost
Applications:
1. These cells are used commercially having the plant capacity in the range of
50 KW to 200 KW.
2. It is typically used for stationary power generation
3. They are used of power large vehicles such as city buses and locomotives
e.t.c.

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