Hydrogen fuel cells

1. Hydrogen Fuel Cells

2. Hydrogen fuel cells

3. What is a hydrogen fuel cells?
1. Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) are a type of electrochemical cell.
2. HFCs generate electricity by reduction and oxidation reactions within the cell.
3. They use three main components, a fuel, an oxidant and an electrolyte.
4. HFCs operate like batteries, although they require external fuel.
5. HFCs are a thermodynamically open system.
6. HFCs use hydrogen as a fuel, oxygen as an oxidant, a proton exchange membrane as an electrolyte, and emit
only water as waste.
7. Hydrogen fuel cells are devices that “convert chemical energy into electrical energy”
8. Unlike traditional combustion technologies, hydrogen fuel cells don’t burn fuel sources to generate electricity
but instead generate electricity through its chemical processes

4. Chemical Reaction

5. How do they Work?

6. How do they work?
1. Fuel (H2) is first transported to the anode of the cell.
2. Fuel undergoes the anode reaction.
3. Anode reaction splits the fuel into H+ (a proton) and e-.
4. Protons pass through the electrolyte to the cathod.
5. Electrons can not pass through the electrolyte, and must travel through an
external circuit which creates a ustable electric current.
6. Protons and electrons reach the cathode, and undergo the cathode reaction

7. Uses of hydrogen fuel cells
1. There are many different uses of fuel cells being utilized right now. Some of
these uses are…
2. Power sources for vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses and even boats and
submarines
3. Power sources for spacecraft, remote weather stations and military technology
4. Batteries for electronics such as laptops and smart phones
5. Sources for uninterruptable power supplies.

8. Problems regarding hydrogen fuel cells
● Lack of hydrogen infrastructure
● Need for refueling stations
● Lack of consumer distribution system
● Cost of hydrogen fuel cells
● Carbon cost of producing hydrogen
● Problems with HFC cars
● Short range (~260 miles)
● Warm up time (~5 minutes)

9. IN CONCLUSION/ CLOSING STATEMENT
Hydrogen fuel cells are a fairly new technology and are continually being
improved. However, they show promising potential and it is likely that the world is
going to see more of this technology in the coming years.

10. THANK YOU
Presentation by Adrash