This document discusses 6 types of fuel cells: polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells. For each type, it covers their operation, applications, advantages, and disadvantages. It concludes that polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and alkaline fuel cells currently show the most potential for transportation applications, and that fuel cells could be a viable alternative power source for vehicles with further technological advances.

1. Auto 480 Alternative Fuels
Kodie Lewis
4/20/15

2.  Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel
Cells
 Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
 Alkaline Fuel Cells
 Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells
 Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells
 Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

3. Operation
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

4. Operation
• Also called the proton exchange membrane fuel
cell
• Uses a solid polymer as an electrolyte and porous
carbon electrodes containing a platinum or
platinum alloy catalyst
• They use only hydrogen, oxygen from the air, and
water to operate
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

5. Operations
Applications
• Backup Power
• Portable Power
• Distributed Generation
• Transportation
• Specialty Vehicles
Advantages
Disadvantages

6. Operation
Applications
Advantages
• Delivers high power density with low weight and
volume
• Low operating temperature so has quick start up
• Solid electrolyte reduces corrosion and electrolyte
management problems
Disadvantage

7. Operation
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Platinum catalyst used is expensive
• Platinum catalyst is extremely sensitive to carbon
monoxide poisoning

8. Operation
• These fuel cells are a subcategory of the PEM fuel
cell
• They are powered by pure methanol that is
usually mixed with water and fed to fuel cell
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

9. Operation
Application
• The efficiency is low so they are used to power
portable applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

10. Operation
Applications
Advantages
• They don’t have storage problems because
methanol has higher energy density
• Methanol is easier to transport and supply
Disadvantages

11. Operation
Application
Advantages
Disadvantages
• The efficiency is low

12. Operation
• It uses a solution of potassium hydroxide in water
for its electrolyte
• It uses a variety of non precious metals as the
catalyst
• Has electrical efficiencies above 60%
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

13. Operation
Applications
• Military
• Space
• Backup power
• Transportation
Advantages
Disadvantages

14. Operation
Applications
Advantages
• Wider range of stable materials that can be used
to make it
• Lower operating temperatures so it has a quick
startup time
Disadvantages

15. Operation
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages
• It is easily poisoned by carbon dioxide
• Its susceptibility to carbon dioxide shortens its
operating time
• Operating time is below 40,000 hours

16. Operation
• Uses liquid phosphoric acid as electrolyte
• First fuel cell used commercially
• Demonstrated 40% electrical efficiencies
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

17. Operation
Applications
• Distributed Generation
• Larger vehicles
Advantages
Disadvantages

18. Operation
Applications
Advantages
• Much more tolerant to the impurities in the fossil
fuels used to power it
• It can be 85% efficient when used for co-
generation of electricity and heat
Disadvantages

19. Operation
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Less powerful then other fuel cells if they have the
same weight and volume
• Larger and heavier than other fuel cells
• Sensitive to sulfur
• Slower startup time

20. Operation
• They use a molten carbonate salt mixture
• They operate at really high temperatures so they
can use non precious metals as catalysts
• Have electrical efficiencies around 50%
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

21. Operation
Applications
• Electric Utility
• Distributed Generation
Advantages
Disadvantages

22. Operation
Applications
Advantages
• Flexible on the type of fuels that can be used
• Has high efficiency when used to produce power
• Does not need a external reformer
Disadvantages

23. Operation
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Low durability of the fuel cell
• Low power density
• Long startup time

24. Operation
• Uses hard non porous ceramic compound as the
electrolyte
• Operate at very high temperatures
• Efficiencies around 60%
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages

25. Operation
Applications
• Auxiliary power
• Electric Utility
• Distributed generation
Advantages
Disadvantages

26. Operation
Applications
Advantages
• Very efficient at converting fuel to electricity
• Are most sulfur resistant and are not poisoned by
carbon monoxide
• High temperatures allows it to reform fuels
internally
Disadvantages

27. Operation
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages
• High operating temperature makes it need
significant thermal shielding to retain heat and to
protect the personal
• Has long startup time
• High operating temperature affects durability

28. After looking at the fuel cells there are only
two fuel cells that are viable for
transportation right now and they are the
PEM, and AFC
Fuels cells could be a good alternative way
to power vehicles with some advances