HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

Karen Wang
Joey Liu

Connections
1.
2.
3.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Re-dox Reactions

Alkaline Fuel Cells
Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Electrochemistry &
thermodynamics
1. Catalyst, anodes, cathodes
4. Temperature & efficiency of Hydrogen Fuel
Cells
5. 5.4 Hydrogen Fuel Cells and the Environment
6. Applications of Hydrogen Fuel Cells nuclear
energy

INTRODUCTION
Fuel Cell Overview

Historical Overview

1838: discovered by German scientist

Christian Friedrich Schenbein

1839: Demonstrated by Welsh scientist Sir

William Robert Grove

What are Fuel Cells?

Battery that produces electricity
overall reaction: oxidation of a fuel by oxygen
2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(l)
(Hydrogen) Fuel + oxygen water
Unlimited fuel supply:
reactants continuously
supplied from an external
source (open system)
Also known as flow battery
Used as a stack

Types of Fuel Cells

Molten carbonate cells
Solid oxide cells
Direct methanol and other non-hydrogen
cells
Biofuel cells
Phosphoric Acid
Proton Exchange Membrane
Acid and alkaline cells

How Do Fuel Cells Work?

HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

& ELECTROCHEMISTRY

Connection 1: FUEL CELLS

& REDOX REACTION

oxidation
Anode (negative electrode): e- leave the cell
H2 2H+ + 2e-

reduction
Cathode (positive electrode): e- enter the cell
4H+ + 4e- + O2 2H2O

Connection 2: FUEL CELLS

& CATALYSTS (rate of reaction)

the splitting of H2 into p+ and e- at the anode is typically
speeded up by the presence of a catalyst (typically metal
placed on the anode, or the electrode itself)

Platinum film is often used

 Electrolyte permit only appropriate ions to pass

between anode and cathode; otherwise the chemical
reaction may be disrupted

End product: water = drained

Types of Fuel Cells

Connection 3
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

ALKALINE & PEM FUEL CELLS

TYPES OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

Alkaline Fuel Cells

Aka: Bacon fuel cell

Used in NASA since mid1960s (Appollo)
Efficiency 70%
hydrogen + oxygen
water, heat, electricity

PEM Fuel Cells

Proton Exchange
Membrane (or Proton
Electrolyte Membrane)
Transport applications
and stationary fuel cell
applications
Lower temp./pressure
ranges (50-100)

Alkaline Fuel Cells

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Hydrogen
Electron flow
Load
Oxygen
Cathode
Electrolyte
Anode
Water
Hydroxyl ions

How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work PEM

Proton exchange membrane cells

A fuel cell produced electricity by combining Hydrogen
and Oxygen atoms electrochemically rather than through
combustion
Hydrogen = fuel electrolysis stored as a compressed
gas/liquid/metal compound
A single fuel cell consists of an anode and a cathode with
an electrolyte in between
Hydrogen molecules enter the anode react with
catalysts (1) split into H+ & e- H+ pass through
electrolyte, e- directed through an external circuit =
electrical current
Oxygen molecules enter at the cathode + H+ + e-
water & heat
Individual fuel cells placed in a series = fuel cell stack
power vehicle

HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

& REDOX REACTION

Alkaline Fuel Cells

PEM Fuel Cells

@ Anode, H2 is oxidized:
H2 + 2OH- 2H2O + 2eH2 2H+ + 2eElectrons flow through an external circuit and return to the cathode, reducing
oxygen:
O2 + 2H2O + 4e- 4OH4H+ + 4e- + O2 2H2O

HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

AS AN ENERGY SOURCE

Connection 4: HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

& EFFICIENCY and

THERMODYNAMICS
Automobile internal combustion engines
inefficient 25%
Rechargeable batteries (modified lead-acid, nickelcadmium batteries)
Run down quickly 250 Km
Recharged from external electrical source
Takes hours
Fuel cells
Efficient 80%

Connection 4: HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

& EFFICIENCY and

THERMODYNAMICS
Fuel cells create electricity chemically; unlike
combustion, are not subject to thermodynamic
laws
fuel cells are more efficient
Some waste heat can also be harnessed

Connection 5: HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

& THE ENVIRONMENT

Automobile engines: gasoline = pollutants
CO2, Nox, VOCs
health & environmental problems: smog, greenhouse
effect
Electric cars: hydrogen fuel cells = pollution free
Cleaner, quieter, more efficient
Product: water vapour

Connection 5: HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

& THE ENVIRONMENT

Production of hydrogen fuel unnatural resource
Hydrocarbon fuels (petroleum, methane) = pollution
Electrolysis of water powered by solar energy or
hydroelectricity = low pollution
Renewable energy source

systems
Fuel cell powered cars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=oy8dzOB-Ykg
Efficiency, pollution-free

Connection 6: HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

AS AN ENERGY SOURCE
Production of hydrogen fuel unnatural resource
Hydrocarbon fuels (petroleum, methane) = pollution
Electrolysis of water powered by solar energy or
hydroelectricity = low pollution

Connection 6: HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

& NUCLEAR ENERGY

Implementation scenarios
Fossil
nuclear

References

(Srensen), B. S. (2005).Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Emerging

Technologies and Applications (Sustainable World). Toronto:
Academic Press.
Harkin, T., & Hoffmann, P. (2001). Tomorrow's Energy:
Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and the Prospects for a Cleaner Planet.
London: The Mit Press.
Holland, G., & Provenzano, J. (2007). Hydrogen Age, The.
Layton: Gibbs Smith, Publisher.
ollecting the History of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel
Cells. (n.d.). National Museum of American History. Retrieved
April 20, 2010, from
http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm