1. Introduction to Environmental
Engineering
ME 485: Final Presentation
Spring 2015
Development of alternative energy sources
Fuel Cells
Presented by
Siddhesh Sawant
Rahul Goregaonkar

2. Need for Alternative Energy Source
 Ever increasing population
 Extensive use of natural resources to meet energy needs
 Unbalance in the environment
 Global warming

3. World Scenario
Global satellite-derived map of PM2.5 averaged over 2001-2006. Credit: Dalhousie University, Aaron
van Donkelaar

4. What is a Fuel Cell?
 Electrochemical device (a galvanic cell) which converts free
energy of a chemical reaction into electrical energy.
 Components of a fuel cell
• An anode: conducts electrons
• A membrane: conducts protons
• A cathode: conducts electrons
• Bipolar plates (or Interconnects)

5. What is a Fuel Cell?

6. What is a Fuel Cell?
Source: J. Larminie and A. Dicks, Fuel Cell Systems Explained, John Wiley, UK, 2000.

7. History

8. Characteristics of Fuel Cell Systems
 High Efficiency and Reliability
 Unique Operating Characteristics
 Planning Flexibility
 Unparalleled Low Emissions
 Noise Emissions

9. Characteristics of Fuel Cell Systems

10. Types of Fuel Cells
 Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)
 Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)
 Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
 Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
 Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
 Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)

11. Types of Fuel Cells
 Biological Fuel Cells
 Zinc/Air Battery and Other Metal/Air Cells
 Redox or Regenerative Fuel Cells

12. Applications of Fuel Cell Systems

13. Stationary Fuel Cell Plants
http://casfcc.org/STATIONARY_FC_MAP/

14. CSUN Fuel Cell Plant

15. Features
 Generates 8,333,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.
 Combined heat and power efficiency of plant is 83%.
 Reduces greenhouse gas emission by 69% compared to
conventional power generation.
 Represents a saving of $7 million over the next 15 years.
 First institution in the world to have grid connected fuel cell
plant with 1MW capacity.
 Produces no NOx, CO, SOx or particulate emission.

16. Power Generation

17. Fuel Cell Vehicles

18. Toyota Mirai
Fuel Cell Type:
proton-exchange membrane,
114 kW
 Motor Type:
synchronous AC, 151 hp,
247 lb-ft, nickel-metal-
hydride battery pack
 11 pounds of hydrogen at
10,000 psi
 100 cc per mile water
generated

19. Toyota Mirai Structure
Internal structure of FCV Toyota Mirai and
actual flow of hydrogen and air to react
and generate electric power to run the
vehicle.
http://www.toyota.com/mirai/fcv.html?srchid=sem|google|FCV|Model_FCV|Mirai_General_E|FCV+Copy+Refresh+4.22|

20. Performance Charts
U.S. Car Corporate Average Fuel Economy Annual CO2 per mile
http://www.toyota.com/usa/environmentreport2014/carbon.html

21. Conclusion
Hydrogen fuel cells are a promising alternative to current
automobile fuels. They essentially combine the energy density
and the convenience of liquid fuels with the clean and efficient
operation of electric vehicles. Although certain aspects of the
technology such as efficient on-board storage still require some
improvement, there are no reasons why hydrogen couldn’t
become an equally convenient and attractive transportation fuel
as diesel or gasoline are today.

22. Thank you!