power generation using hydrogen fuel cell

1. Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering and Technology
Jhansi
Electrical Engineering Department

2. Large Power Generation Using Fuel Cells
Guided By :
Er. Pushpendra Singh
Electrical Engineering Department
Presented By :
Ravi Verma
1604320040
B.Tech (EE)
A
Seminar Presentation
On

3. Contents
1. What are fuel cells ?
2. Principle of fuel cell
3. Parts of fuel cell
4. Fuel cell operation
5. Types of fuel cells
6. Applications of fuel cell
7. Advantages of fuel cell
8. Disadvantages of fuel cell
9. Conclusion
10. References

4. What are fuel cells ?
“A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity
through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent.”

5. Principle of fuel cell
 Fuel cell consists of electrodes, electrolyte & catalyst to facilitate the
electrochemical redox reaction.
 The basic arrangement in a fuel cell can be represented as follows:
ElectrodeFuel OxidantElectrolyte Electrode

6. Parts of fuel cell
• Anode
– Negative post of the fuel cell.
– Materials which have high electron conductivity & zero proton conductivity .
• Cathode
– Positive post of the fuel cell.
– Have high electron conductivity & zero proton conductivity.
• 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.

7. 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 (𝐻2 𝑂).

8. 2H2 → 4H+ + 4𝑒−anode
O2 + 4H+ + 4𝑒− → 2H2O
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O
Anode Reaction :
Cathode Reaction :
Overall Reaction :
 Large number of these cells are stacked together
in series to make a battery called as fuel cell
battery or fuel battery.

10. Fuel Cells
Polymer Electrode to Membrane
Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
(PAFC)
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
(MCFC)
Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC)
Types of Fuel Cell

11. Applications of Fuel Cell
Commercial establishments
 Shops in Malls and Underground bazaars
1 to 3 kW systems / around 1,00,000
 Small Business Establishments
5-10 kW systems / 50,000
 Entertainment Industry
25-50 kW systems / 500 to 1,000
 Hotels, restaurants & Resorts
100-200 kW systems / up to 500 units
 Hospitals
200-500 kW systems / up to 200 units
 Residential Complexes
50-200 kW systems / 30,000 to 50,000

12. Advantages of Fuel Cell
1. High efficiency of energy conversion (approaching 70%) from chemical
energy to electrical energy.
2. Low noise pollution & low thermal pollution.
3. Fuel cell power can reduce expensive transmission lines & minimize
transmission loses for a disturbed system.
4. Saves fossil fuels.
5. Fuel cells are less polluting. Mostly the By products are water & waste heat,
which are environmentally acceptable .
6. Hydrogen-Oxygen fuel cells produce drinking water of potable quality.
7. Low maintenance cost.
8. Fuel cells automotive batteries can render electric vehicles, efficient &
refillable.

13. Disadvantages of Fuel Cell
1. High initial cost.
2. Life times of the cells are not accurately known. Large weight and
volume of gas fuel storage system.
3. High cost of pure hydrogen.
4. Pure hydrogen is difficult to handle.
5. Hydrogen often created using “dirty” energy (e.g. coal)

14. Conclusion
Fuel cells have many advantages over conventional power generating
equipment: high efficiency, low emissions, flexibility, high reliability, low
maintenance, and multi-fuel capability. Because of their efficiency and
environmental advantages, fuel cell technologies are viewed as an
attractive 21st century solution to energy problems.

15. References