working, chemical reaction, types, the difference between battery and fuel cell, etc.

1. G.L BAJAJ INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY &
MANAGEMENT, GR. NOIDA
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Presented By
Mr. V.S. SRIVASTAV
(Asst. Prof. )
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Topic – Fuel Cell

2. OVERVIEW
 Introduction
 Working
 Types
 Advantages and disadvantages
 Applications
 Future
 Conclusion
 References
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3. Introduction
 A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electricity without
combustion by combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce water and heat.
 Efficiency 85%
 First developed by William Grove.
 In 1839, Grove was experimenting on electrolysis (the process by which
water is split into hydrogen and oxygen by an electric current), when he
observed that combining the same elements could also produce an electric
current
 Chemical Energy Heat Mechanical Energy Electrical
Energy
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4. Working of Fuel Cell 4
Fig:1(a) Direct Glycerol fuel cell [2] Fig:1(b) oxygen-Hydrogen fuel cell [2]

5.  Fuel Cell can be liquid or gaseous [1]
 Liquid – Methanol, Ethanol, Formaldehyde
 Gas – Oxygen, Air, Oxygen peroxide, Hydrogen etc.
 Electrode material – Platinum, Graphite, Polyvinylchloride, Teflon,
etc.
 Electrolyte solution – NaOH, KOH, etc.
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6. Working Reaction [1]
 Anode (oxidation take place) : Fuel = Ions + Electrons
H2 +2OH- 2H2O + 2e-
 Cathode(Reduction take place): Oxidant +electrons = Ions
½ O2 + H2O + 2e- 2OH-
 Net Reaction: Fuel + Oxidant = Product
H2 + ½ O2 H2O
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7. Classifications of Fuel Cell
Based on the type of Electrolyte
1.Alkaline Fuel cell (AFC)
2.Phosphoric Acid Fuel cell (PAFC)
3.Polymer Electrolytic Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
4. Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC)
5. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
Based on Types of Fuel and oxidant
1.Hydrogen (pure)-Oxygen (pure) fuel cell
2.Hydrogen rich gas-air fuel cell
3.Ammonia –air fuel cell
4.Synthesis gas- air fuel cell
5.Hydro carbon (gas)- air fuel cell
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8. Advantages
 Higher efficiency.
 Air pollution very less.
 There is no Noise pollution.
 Eliminate green house gases.
 Reduce economic dependence.
 etc.
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9. Disadvantage
 Require specific humidity, pressure, etc.
 Expensive
 Difficult to store
 Highly inflammable
 Very few applications
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10. Applications [3] 10

11. The future of fuel cells [4]
 Used to power personal electronic devices: cell phones,
iPods, laptops
 Enough energy to run for days
 Potentially power all cars, airplanes, ships, etc.
 60 million tons of carbon dioxide could be eliminated
from yearly greenhouse gas production
 Development of cheaper and more reliable catalysts
 Higher demand = cheaper
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12. Conclusion
 Hydrogen fuel cells are efficient, and clean, Also expensive, and
require specific humidity, temperature, pressure. Not an instant fix for
the energy crisis, but definitely a major component
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13. References :
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9fomrj-HGI
2. (a) https://images.app.goo.gl/LJwQzp29dFPFpDVx8
(b)https://images.app.goo.gl/nb4n1HY7tLRLSF1DA
3. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1088626_hydrogen-fuel-cell-
cars-to-come-from-toyota-hyundai-honda
4. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/fuel-
cells/
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