FUEL CELL

A SPECIAL FOCUS TO BIOFUEL

CELL

INTRODUCTION

One very promising technology which is compact, flexible and

exceptionally clean and receiving increasing attention because of its
ability to increase overall energy efficiency is fuel cells.

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts hydrogen and

oxygen into electricity without combustion.

Fuel cells have been around since the mid 19th century, and the
space program has used them since the early 1960s.

A fuel cell operates much like a battery, turning oxygen and

hydrogen into electricity in the presence of an electrically conductive
material called an electrolyte. But unlike a battery, it never loses its
charge and will generate electricity as long as there is a source of
hydrogen and oxygen.

A schematic representation of a FC

All fuel cells create electricity through a electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and
oxygen. The only by-products of a hydrogen fueled fuel cell is pure water and heat.

TYPES OF FUEL CELL

The most common classification of fuel cells is by the

type of electrolyte used in the cells.
Proton exchange membrane (polymer) electrolyte
fuel cell (PEFC),
Alkaline fuel cell (AFC),
Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC),
Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC),
Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and
Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS

(PEMFCS)
Polymer electrolyte membrane,
sometimes called proton
exchange membrane, solid
polymer electrolyte fuel cells
use thin polymer sheets as an
electrolyte.
It is now the fuel cell type most
favored by auto companies as
the replacement for the internal
combustion engine.

As with many of the lower temperature fuel cells, PEMFCs require a

pure hydrogen source for operation.

PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL

CELLS (PEMFCS)
In the PEM fuel cell the electrolyte is a thin polymer
membrane such as poly [perfluorosulphonic] acid, Nafion
which is permeable to protons, but does not conduct
electrons, and the electrodes are typically made from
carbon.
Hydrogen flows into the fuel cell on to the anode and is
split into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons.
The hydrogen ions permeate across the electrolyte to
the cathode, while the electrons flow through an external
circuit and provide power.
Oxygen, in the form of air, is supplied to the cathode and
this combines with the electrons and the hydrogen ions
to produce water.

ALKALINE FUEL CELLS

The design of an alkali fuel cell is
similar to that of a PEM cell.
These fuel cells use a solution of
potassium hydroxide in water as
the electrolyte and can use a
variety of non- precious metals as a
catalyst at the anode and cathode.
The hydroxyl ions (OH-) migrate
from the cathode to the anode
where they react with hydrogen to
produce water and electrons.

The disadvantage of this fuel cell type is that it is easily poisoned

by carbon dioxide (CO2).

BIOFUEL CELLS
The biofuel cells of two
compartments, an anode
compartment and a cathode
compartment, separated by a
proton exchange membrane
(PEM).
Nafion film use as the PEM,
which allows hydrogen ions
generated in the anode
compartment to be
transferred across the
membrane into the cathode
compartment.

ANODE COMPARTMENT OF BIOFUEL CELLS

Anode compartment of
biofuel cell:
The anode compartment
would consist of the
following: Bacteria
(E.Coli), Glucose,
Electron mediator
(methylene blue),
Potassium Phosphate
buffer (pH 7.0), Graphite
or Woven graphite felt
electrode.

For long-term experiments,

glucose would need to be
pumped into the anode
compartment as a constant
source of fuel for bacterial
metabolism. Over time,
oxidative metabolism would
gradually decrease if there is
a limited availability of
glucose, which would be
reflected in a decreasing
current output.

CATHODE COMPARTMENT OF BIOFUEL CELLS

Cathode compartment of
biofuel cell:
The cathode
compartment of the
microbial fuel cell would
comprise of the following:
Potassium ferricyanide,
Potassium Phosphate
buffer (pH 7.0), Graphite
or Woven graphite felt
electrode.

Potassium ferricyanide is an
important component of the
cathode compartment.
The ferricyanide reaction is
attractive for use at the
cathode since it has a rapid
electron uptake.
Hydrogen ions (H+) migrate
across the proton exchange
membrane (PEM).
The end product at the
cathode is water.

WORKING OF BIOFUEL CELL

During the electron transport process, electrons from the bacterial

plasma membrane passes to the anode (negative electrode).
These electrons travel through an electric circuit and subsequently
reduce ferricyanide to ferrocyanide at the cathode (positive
electrode).
Protons pumped from the bacteria into the anode environment
traverse the PEM into the cathode compartment. Ferrocyanide is
reoxidized to ferricyanide, while the hydrogen ions combine with
oxygen to form water.

At the anode: C6H12O6 + 6H2O 6CO2 + 24e- + 24H+

At the cathode: 4Fe (CN)63-+ 4e- 4Fe (CN)644Fe (CN)64-+ 4H+ + O2 4Fe (CN)63- + 2H2O

Complete oxidation of glucose does not always occur.

WORKING OF BIOFUEL CELL