The document discusses fuel cell technology and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It provides a brief history of fuel cells, describing the first fuel cell built in 1839 and increased interest in the 1960s for the US space program. It then outlines the five most common types of fuel cells, their efficiencies, and benefits like efficiency, portability, reliability, and reduced emissions. Applications discussed include cars, buses, space travel, airplanes, and off-grid power. The document focuses on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, describing storage options, their higher efficiency compared to internal combustion engines, estimated fuel economy, and challenges like storage and fuel costs. It concludes that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are being pursued to produce less emissions and heat than combustion engines.

1. FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
PRESENTED BY
RAHUL KUMAR SAH
20125108
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

2. FUEL CELL
“A device that generates electricity by chemical reaction”

3. A VERY BRIEF HISTORY
Considered a curiosity in the 1800’s. The first fuel cell was built in 1839
by Sir William Grove, a lawyer and gentleman scientist. Serious interest
in the fuel cell as a practical generator did not begin until the 1960's,
when the U.S. space program chose fuel cells over riskier nuclear
power and more expensive solar energy. Fuel cells furnished power for
the Gemini and Apollo spacecraft, and still provide electricity and water
for the space shuttle.

4. TYPES OF FUEL CELLS
The five most common types –
1. Alkali (70% efficient)
2. Molten carbonate (60-80% efficient)
3. Phosphoric acid (40-80% efficient)
4. Proton exchange membrane (40-50% efficient)
5. Solid oxide (60% efficient)

5. BENEFITS
 Efficient: in theory and in practice
 Portable: modular units
 Reliable: few moving parts to wear out or break
 Fuel Flexible: With a fuel reformer, fuels such as natural gas,
ethanol, methanol, propane, gasoline, diesel, landfill gas,waste
water, treatment digester gas, or even ammonia can be used
 Environmental: produces heat and water (less than combustion
in both cases) near zero emission of CO and NOx
reduced emission of CO2 (zero emission if pure H2 fuel)

6. APPLICATIONS OF FUEL CELL
TECHNOLOGY
 Cars
 Buses
 Space Travel & Exploration
 Airplanes
 Submarines
 Off-grid Power Supply
 Combined Heat & Power

7. HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES

8. A HYDROGEN VEHICLE IS A VEHICLE THAT USES HYDROGEN AS ITS ON BOARD
FUEL FOR MOTIVE POWER.

9. STORAGE & EFFICIENCY
 Two storage options
1. Produce the hydrogen on the ground and then store it
onboard the vehicle (the direct hydrogen option)
2. Produce the hydrogen on the vehicle by means of a tiny
onboard hydrogen plant (the onboard fuel processor
option)
 Hydrogen FC’s 2 times as efficient as internal combustion
 Internal combustion efficiency – 20-30%
 Hydrogen FC’s – 50-60%
 Estimates that FC Vehicles can achieve equivalent of 80
miles/gallon gasoline.

10. HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE ISSUES
 Storage is complicated
 Limited range
 Expensive fuel
 Still a fossil fuel?
 Energy carrier, not energy source

11. HYDROGEN SOURCES

12. ENVIRONMENT
Why we are pursuing Hydrogen FCVs(?)
 produces heat and water (less than combustion in both cases)
 nearzero emission of CO and Nox
 reducedemission of CO2 (zero emission if pure H2 fuel)

13. THANK YOU!!