Fuel Cells.ppt

Fuel Cells The Promise of Fuel Cells “A score of nonutility companies are well advanced toward developing a powerful chemical fuel cell, which could sit in some hidden closet of every home silently ticking off electric power.” Theodore Levitt, “Marketing Myopia,” Harvard Business Review, 1960 PEM Fuel Cell Parts of a Fuel Cell Anode Negative post of the fuel cell. Conducts the electrons that are freed from the hydrogen molecules so that they can be used in an external circuit. Etched channels disperse hydrogen gas over the surface of catalyst. Cathode Positive post of the fuel cell Etched channels distribute oxygen to the surface of the catalyst. Conducts electrons back from the external circuit to the catalyst Recombine with the hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water. Electrolyte Proton exchange membrane. Specially treated material, only conducts positively charged ions. Membrane blocks electrons. Catalyst Special material that facilitates reaction of oxygen and hydrogen Usually platinum powder very thinly coated onto carbon paper or cloth. Rough porous maximizes surface area exposed to hydrogen or oxygen The platinum-coated side of the catalyst faces the PEM. Fuel Cell Operation Pressurized hydrogen gas (H2) enters cell on anode side. Gas is forced through catalyst by pressure. When H2 molecule comes contacts platinum catalyst, it splits into two H+ ions and two electrons (e-). Electrons are conducted through the anode Make their way through the external circuit (doing useful work such as turning a motor) and return to the cathode side of the fuel cell. On the cathode side, oxygen gas (O2) is forced through the catalyst Forms two oxygen atoms, each with a strong negative charge. Negative charge attracts the two H+ ions through the membrane, Combine with an oxygen atom and two electrons from the external circuit to form a water molecule (H2O). Proton-Exchange Membrane Cell PEM Fuel Cell Animation Fuel Cell Stack Hydrogen Fuel Cell Efficiency 40% eff