a brief intro to the technology and working of hydrogen fuel cells.It also discusses the types of fuel cells available in the market and the economy of hydrogen fuel cells.It concludes by giving suitable examples of fuel cell vehicles and a short video animation to properly understand the topic

1. Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Technology
Submitted to Presented By
Chemical Deptt Shanjul Shrivastava
IES IPS ACADEMY

2. Historical Overview
⦿ 1838: discovered by
German scientist
Christian Friedrich
Schöenbein
⦿ 1839:
Demonstrated by
Welsh scientist Sir
William Robert
Grove Fuel Cell of Grove, 1840

3. Introduction
⦿ Fuel cell is an electrochemical energy
conversion device, which converts the
chemical hydrogen and oxygen into water, and
produces electricity.
⦿ Very high efficiencies in converting chemical
energy to electrical energy, when operated at
low power density, and using pure hydrogen
and oxygen as reactants.

4. Why is Fuel Cell Technology
Important?
⦿ Since conversion of the fuel to energy takes
place via an electrochemical process, not
combustion
⦿ It is a clean, quiet and highly efficient
process- two to three times more efficient
than fuel burning.
⦿ They are very useful as power sources in
remote locations, such as spacecraft, remote
weather stations, and in certain military
applications.

5. Inside Of A Fuel Cell

6. How does a Fuel Cell work?
⦿ The process begins when
Hydrogen molecules enter
the anode
⦿ The catalyst coating
separates hydrogen’s
negatively charged electrons
from the positively charged
protons
⦿ The electrolyte allows the
protons to pass through to
the cathode and the electrons
are directed through an
external circuit which creates
electrical current

7. How does a Fuel Cell work?
⦿ While the electrons pass through the external
circuit, oxygen molecules pass through the
cathode
⦿ There the oxygen and the protons combine
with the electrons after they have passed
through the external circuit
⦿ When the oxygen and the protons combine
with the electrons it produces water and heat
as only exhaust

8. ⦿ Oxidation
⚫Anode (negative electrode): e- leave
the cell
⚫H2 🡪 2H+ + 2e-
⦿ Reduction
⚫Cathode (positive electrode): e- enter
the cell
⚫4H+ + 4e- + O2 🡪 2H2O
⦿ Overall reaction: oxidation of a fuel
by oxygen
⦿ 2H2(g) + O2(g) 🡪 2H2O(l)
(Hydrogen) Fuel + oxygen 🡪 water
Redox Reaction

9. Catalyst And Electrolyte
⦿ The splitting of H2 into p+ and e-
at the anode is typically done &
speeded up by the presence of a
catalyst (typically metal placed on
the anode, or the electrode itself)
⦿ Platinum film is often used as a
catalyst
⦿ Electrolyte – permit only
appropriate ions to pass between
anode and cathode; otherwise the
chemical reaction may be
disrupted

10. Importance Of Hydrogen
A. Fuel Cells require highly
purified hydrogen as a fuel
B. Hydrogen is a secondary
energy resource, meaning it
must be made from another
fuel
C. Hydrogen can be produced
from a wide variety of energy
resources including:
A. Fossil fuels, such as natural
gas and coal
B. Nuclear energy
C. Renewable resources, such
as solar,water, wind and
biomass

11. Efficiency & Thermodynamics
⦿ Automobile internal combustion engines
Batteries are inefficient – 25%
⦿ The Rechargeable batteries used (modified
lead-acid, nickel-cadmium batteries)
⚫Run down quickly – 250 Km
⚫Recharged from external electrical source
⚫Takes hours
⦿ Fuel cells are much better
⚫Efficiency – upto 75%

12. Efficiency & Thermodynamics
⦿Fuel cells create electricity
chemically; unlike combustion, are
not subject to thermodynamic laws
So fuel cells are more efficient
⦿Some waste heat can also be
harnessed
⦿Renewable energy source

13. Types of Fuel Cells
⦿Molten carbonate cells
⦿Solid oxide cells
⦿Direct methanol and other non-
hydrogen cells
⦿Bio-fuel cells
⦿Phosphoric Acid
⦿Proton Exchange Membrane
⦿Acid and alkaline cells

14. Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
⦿ The high temperature 1200
degree C required and the
corrosive electrolyte
accelerate breakdown and
corrosion inside the fuel cell
⦿ Uses an electrolyte composed
of a molten carbonate salt
mixture
⦿ Promises high fuel-to-
electricity efficiency and the
ability to utilize coal based
fuels

15. Proton Exchange Membrane
Fuel Cell
⚫This is the leading cell type
for passenger car application
⚫Uses a polymer membrane as
the electrolyte
⚫Operates at a relatively low
temperature, about 175
degrees
⚫Has a high power density,
can vary its output quickly
and is suited for applications
where quick startup is
required making it popular for
automobiles

16. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
⚫This is the most commercially
developed fuel cell
⚫It generates electricity at more
than 40% efficiency
⚫Nearly 85% of the steam
produced can be used for
cogeneration
⚫Uses liquid phosphoric acid as
the electrolyte and operates at
about 450 degrees F
⚫One main advantage is that it
can use impure hydrogen as
fuel

17. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
⚫Uses a hard, non-porous
ceramic compound as the
electrolyte
⚫Can reach 60% power-
generating efficiency
⚫Operates at extremely high
temperatures 1800 degrees
⚫Used mainly for large, high
powered applications such as
industrial generating stations,
mainly because it requires such
high temperatures

18. Alkaline Fuel Cell
⚫ Requires pure hydrogen and
oxygen because it is very
susceptible to carbon
contamination which affects
cell’s life
⚫ Uses a solution of potassium
hydroxide in water as the
electrolyte and operates at 75 -
160 degrees
⚫ Purification process of the
hydrogen and oxygen is costly
⚫ Used on the Apollo spacecraft
to provide electricity and
drinking water

19. Pollution Friendly
⦿ Automobile engines: gasoline = pollutants
⚫CO2, Nox, HCs ,Sox
⚫Health & environmental problems: smog, greenhouse
effect
⦿ Electric cars: hydrogen fuel cells = pollution free
⚫Cleaner, quieter, more efficient
⚫Product: water vapour
⦿ Production of hydrogen fuel – unnatural resource
⚫Hydrocarbon fuels (petroleum, methane) = pollution
⚫Electrolysis of water powered by solar energy or
hydroelectricity = low pollution

20. Benefits Of Fuel Cell
⦿ Fuel cell power plants produce dramatically fewer
emissions, and their byproducts are primarily water
and carbon dioxide.
⦿ Fuel cell power plants are nearly twice as efficient as
conventional power plants.
⦿ Small-scale fuel cell plants are just as efficient as
large ones, and operation at partial load is as efficient
as at full load.
⦿ High-grade waste heat from fuel cell systems is
perfect for use in cogeneration, heating, and air-
conditioning.

21. Benefits Of Fuel Cell
⦿ Fuel cells are one of the most reliable power
generation technologies.
⦿ Fuel cell power plants are reliable and safe,
and can be sited in environmentally sensitive
areas.
⦿ Fuel cell needs hydrogen, which can be
generated internally from natural gas, coal,
methanol, landfill gas or other fuels containing
hydrocarbons.
⦿ Fuel cell technology meets public demand for
clean, quite and efficient power.

22. Challenges to Fuel Cell Technology
⦿ Cost
⚫The cost of fuel cells must be reduced to compete with
conventional technologies
⚫Conventional internal combustion engines cost $25-
$35/kW; a fuel cell system would need to cost $30/kW
to be competitive
⦿ Durability and Reliability
⚫Durability of fuel cell systems have not yet been adequately
established
⚫The durability standard for automobiles is approximately
150,000 miles and the ability to function under normal
vehicle operating conditions

23. Some Fuel Cell Vehicles
Toyota Mirai- first commercial FCV Element One –Hybrid FCV
First commercial Fuel Cell Boat - GermanyBoeing’s proposed Fuel cell Aircraft

24. A Short Video Clip to
Understand the working of
Fuel Cell easily
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UwSazq8GTU

25. THANK YOU
Questions… ?