Beatrice Lang
Fuel cells are an electrochemical power generator that creates energy without combustion. They generate electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. Hydrogen is the most common fuel used, but other hydrocarbon fuels are also used, including diesel, methanol, and chemical hydrides. Fuel cells are made up of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen is fed to the anode, and oxygen from the air is fed to the cathode. At the anode, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons. The electrons are forced through a circuit, generating electricity, while the protons pass through the porous electrolyte membrane to the cathode. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules. Fuel cells are scalable, allowing them to be used in a variety of applications, from powering vehicles to providing electricity to the utility grid and powering buildings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How electricity is made | Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, heat, and water through an electrochemical process. |
| Fuel cell composition | Fuel cells consist of an anode, cathode, and electrolyte membrane. |
| Electrolyte substance | The electrolyte can be made from various substances, including potassium hydroxide, salt carbonates, and phosphoric acid. |
| Anode catalyst | The anode catalyst breaks down fuel into electrons and ions. |
| Cathode catalyst | The cathode catalyst converts ions into waste chemicals, typically water. |
| Fuel types | Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel, methanol, and chemical hydrides can also be used. |
| Carbon emissions | Fuel cells emit less carbon dioxide per kWh of power generation compared to other fuel-based systems, and can be carbon neutral when using biogas. |
| Efficiency | Fuel cells have high efficiency, with some types achieving electrical efficiencies of up to 75%. |
| Scalability | Fuel cells are scalable and can be joined together to form stacks, which can further be combined into larger systems. |
| Applications | Fuel cells are used for electricity generation, powering vehicles, and providing heat and electricity for buildings. |
| Environmental impact | Fuel cells are non-emitting and can have a negligible greenhouse gas footprint when utilizing green hydrogen. |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen and oxygen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cells are a clean, efficient, and reliable way to generate electricity. They are electrochemical cells that use hydrogen and oxygen to create an electric current, with water and heat as byproducts. This process is known as a reduction reaction.
Hydrogen fuel cells are similar to batteries in that they both convert chemical energy into electrical energy. However, batteries store this chemical energy inside the battery itself, whereas hydrogen fuel cells receive a supply of chemical energy from an external source—in this case, hydrogen. This key difference means that, unlike batteries, hydrogen fuel cells can produce electricity continuously for as long as they are supplied with fuel and oxygen.
The process begins at the anode, where a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and positively charged ions (protons). The protons pass through the porous electrolyte membrane while the electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electricity and heat. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules.
Hydrogen fuel cells have been used in NASA spacecraft since the Gemini program in the 1960s, and they continue to provide electricity and drinking water for astronauts on Space Shuttle flights. Hydrogen fuel cells are also being explored for use in vehicles, with several manufacturers developing fuel cells for cars, trucks, and other specialty vehicles. However, the high cost of fuel cells and the limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations have slowed the adoption of hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
Hydrogen fuel cells offer the potential for decarbonization and the use of renewable energy sources. Hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power, and it can be stored for later use in power generation when renewable resources are limited and electricity demand is high. This makes hydrogen fuel cells a promising technology for reducing emissions and improving energy resilience.
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Electrochemical process
Fuel cells are electrochemical power generators that create energy through an electrochemical process, without combustion. They combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as byproducts.
A fuel cell is composed of an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen atoms enter at the anode, where they are stripped of their electrons. The positively charged protons pass through the membrane to the cathode, while the negatively charged electrons are forced through a circuit, generating electricity. At the cathode, the electrons combine with the protons and oxygen from the air to produce water and heat. This process is known as a redox reaction.
The electrolyte plays a crucial role in keeping the charge neutral between the electrodes as they produce and consume electrons. In carbonate fuel cells, the electrolyte is made from potassium and lithium carbonates, and the carbonate ions migrate between the fuel and air electrodes. Other types of electrolytes include polymer membranes, alkaline solutions, and dense layers of ceramic.
The choice of fuel and specific design of the fuel cell determine the operating temperature and efficiency of the electrochemical process. For example, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) use a polymer membrane for the electrolyte and operate at cooler temperatures between 80 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) use a dense layer of ceramic as an electrolyte and operate at much higher temperatures of about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Fuel cell stacks
The fundamental principle behind fuel cell stacks is the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy through a process known as "cold combustion". In each cell, hydrogen and oxygen from the air react electrochemically, without combustion, to produce electricity, water, and heat. This electrochemical approach offers a more direct and efficient method of generating power compared to traditional combustion engines.
The voltage and power output of a fuel cell stack are influenced by the number of cells in the stack and the surface area of those cells. Increasing the number of cells leads to higher voltage, while expanding the surface area of the cells results in increased current. This scalability allows fuel cell stacks to be tailored to specific applications, ranging from electric vehicles to large-scale power installations connected directly to the utility grid.
The individual fuel cells within the stack play a critical role in the overall process. Each cell consists of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen is passed through the anode, where it splits into electrons and protons. The protons pass through the electrolyte membrane, while the electrons are forced through a circuit, generating an electric current. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules.
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Fuel cell vehicles
FCEVs are fueled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank on the vehicle, and they can be refueled in about 5 minutes. They produce no harmful tailpipe emissions, mainly emitting water and heat, with trace amounts of other pollutants. However, the production of hydrogen can create pollutants, and transporting and storing it may also generate pollutants. As of 2020, there were fewer than 50 hydrogen fuelling stations for automobiles publicly available in the US, which has led to criticism regarding the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
FCEVs have been introduced for commercial lease and sale, including the Honda Clarity, Toyota Mirai, Hyundai ix35 FCEV, and Hyundai Nexo. These vehicles have an average range of 314 miles between refuelings and have been sold or leased to the public in certain markets. Major automobile manufacturers are offering a growing number of production FCEVs, in sync with the development of supporting infrastructure.
Fuel cells have also been used in various other types of vehicles, including forklifts, motorcycles, and bicycles. Forklifts powered by PEM fuel cells offer significant benefits over petroleum-powered forklifts, as they produce no local emissions, can work for a full 8-hour shift on a single tank of hydrogen, and have a lifetime of 8-10 years. The British firm Intelligent Energy produced the first working hydrogen-run motorcycle, called the ENV (Emission Neutral Vehicle), in 2005.
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Fuel cell heat and electricity
Fuel cells generate electricity and heat through an electrochemical process, without combustion. This makes them a clean power source, as they emit little to no carbon dioxide and produce no pollutants. Fuel cells are highly scalable, with stacks of individual cells that can be combined to form larger systems. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, from powering laptops to providing electricity for utility grids.
The basic components of a fuel cell include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen fuel is fed to the anode, and oxygen from the air is fed to the cathode. At the anode, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons. The protons then pass through the porous electrolyte membrane, while the electrons are forced through a circuit, generating electricity and excess heat. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules.
Different types of fuel cells operate at different temperatures and use different electrolytes. For example, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are the highest temperature fuel cells, operating at about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. They use a dense layer of ceramic as an electrolyte, which allows for the conductivity of oxygen ions at high temperatures. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFCs) use a liquid phosphoric acid and ceramic electrolyte, and they operate at temperatures of around 700-1000 degrees Celsius. Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs) operate at temperatures upwards of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and use a molten carbonate salt mixture suspended in a ceramic matrix as an electrolyte.
Fuel cells have several advantages over traditional combustion-based technologies. They can operate at higher efficiencies, achieving electrical efficiencies of up to 75%. They also do not run down or need recharging, as long as fuel is supplied. Additionally, fuel cells that use pure hydrogen fuel are completely carbon-free, making them an attractive option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Fuel cells are electrochemical power generators that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as byproducts.
Fuel cells are made up of three components: an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen is passed through the anode, and oxygen is passed through the cathode. At the anode, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons. The protons pass through the porous electrolyte membrane, while the electrons are forced through a circuit, generating an electric current and excess heat. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules.
There are several types of fuel cells, including Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs), Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs), and Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFCs). Each type of fuel cell uses a different type of electrolyte and catalyst and operates at different temperatures.
Fuel cells have several advantages over traditional combustion engines. They are non-emitting and can have a negligible greenhouse gas footprint when using green hydrogen, which is made from renewable energy sources. Fuel cells also do not need to be recharged and can provide both electricity and heat for buildings, making them a highly efficient energy source.
