The Future Of Fuel Cell Technology Engineering Essay

In our current universe of planetary heating, clime alteration, fuel insecurity, and mellowed zip demand and ingestion from developing states, it is perfectly necessary we started expression into how to let forth the agency of the hereafter. Through research, development, and promotion of engineer, several beginnings of alter, clean renewable get-up-and-go have been identified. One of the alternate beginnings of animation for the hereafter is The render Cell Technology . This engineering ( fuel cadre engineering ) has the manageable to be the drift which will transform the manner in which industries of instantly will buzz off forth energy of tomorrow. burn down Cell force out merely be describe as a condition bring forthing system made up of electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of H into electric energy. The electrical energy is generated from the response in the midst of H ( which is the fuel ) an O ( which is the oxidizer ) .The history of fuel cells history endure be dated back to 1939 when William Grove, a British scientist foremost spy its rule. He demo this by utilizing four big cells ( each incorporating H and O ) to bring forth electric power which was so give to divide the H2O ( in a smaller upper cell ) into H and O. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) subsequently demonstrated their possible applications in supplying power during infinite flights. Since so, industry has been looking at the commercial viability of fuel cells engineering to bring forth energy in assorted applications in such a manner that it send word vie with early(a) sources/types of energy coevals. furnish CellsTypesThere ar several types of fuel cells creation developed. The boss difference between fuel cells types is their electrolyte. The chief fuel cells types be listed belowProton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells ( PEMFC ) This is in any event called the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell. It is the most f avorable fuel cell engineering that offer alternate to the home(a) burning engine. The PEMFC uses a thin plastic membrane as its electrolyte. The reaction gases ( H and O ) argon fed into the cell to suffice with the anode and the cathode. The fuel H continuously flows to the anode. At the anode, H ions ( or protons ) and negatrons are produce from the H. Merely positively charged H ions pass through the membrane. The negatively charged negatrons flow to the electrical socket to bring forth electrical power. Oxygen continuously flow to the cathode. At the cathode the O combines with H ions and the negatrons to cabal H2O which flows out of the cell.2HA? a 4Ha + 4ea? comparability for the reaction of the anodeOa + 4Ha + 4ea? a 2HaO Equation for the reaction at the cathode2Ha + Oa a 2HaO Overall EquationFigure 1 How PEMFC works ( Beginning hypertext transfer protocol //altenergystation.com/fuel-cells.html )The PEMFC has legion(predicate) advantages over all other types of fuel ce ll The PEMFC has a last power slow-wittedness and a low direct temperature ( of intimately 60-80 grades Celsius ) compared with other types of fuel cell. Its low operating temperature makes the fuel cell to spry up and get down bring forthing electricity within a of a sudden period of clip. Besides, the electrolyte is a solid stuff which makes it simpler to fabricate. The solid electrolyte of PEMFC makes it easier to orientate compared with other electrolytes. It is besides less caustic and has longer cell life and weed life. Other advantages of PEMFC areIt merely requires H and O as reactant.The by merchandise is H2O.It atomic number 50 be employ as an option to internal burning engine.Although PEMFC has many benefits, it does hold some disadvantages excessively.The operating temperature is low ( about 80AC ) which is non high plenty to execute utile cogeneration.It is an expensive frame of electricity coevals. It cost about ?2500 ?5000 per kilowatt.The control of wet in the cathode and anode watercourse is of import as the electrolyte is required to be saturated with H2O to croak optimally.Direct wood spirit Fuel Cells ( DMFC )These types of fuel cells are comparable to the PEMFC except that methyl group alcohol is employ as fuel alternatively of H. It works by oxidising of the liquid methyl alcohol ( CHa?OH ) in the presence of H2O at the anode. The DMFC uses the same type of electrolyte as the PEMFC, unless with thicker membranes. The chemical equation ( reaction ) of the DMFC is as follow At the anode CHa?OH + HaO a COa +6Ha + 6ea?At the cathode 3/2Oa + 6Ha + 6ea? a 3HaOOverall Equation CHa?OH + 3/2Oa a COa+ 2HaODMFC engineering is really applicable for portable power devices similar laptops, 2-way wirelesss, cell phones, PDA etc. This is due to the high energy denseness of the methyl alcohol fuel. The current DMFCs can bring forth power denseness between 300-1000mWcmA? compared to PEMFC power denseness of 300-1000mWcmA? . DMFC can ru n between 50AC and 120AC with an efficiency of near 40 % .The DMFC offers a band of benefits compared with PEMFC nevertheless its development is still in its early phases. Some of its advantages are It uses a liquid ( methyl alcohol ) fuel for power. Methanol can incorporate efficaciously with transmittal and distribution systems that are already in being.It does non necessitate a complicated fuel storage system, as figure to hydrogen fuel storage for PEMFC.It is simpler in its jut out, and has the possible for low-volume, lightweight packaging.Methanol is easier to transport and provide in commercial measures utilizing current gasolene substructure.The chief disadvantage nevertheless, is that the low oxidation of methyl alcohol to hydrogen ions and COa requires a more active particle accelerator. The fuel stack requires big measures of Pt compared with the PEMFC. receivable to the big measures of Pt requires, the DMFC are more expensive. Other disadvantages are methanol is extremely caustic and toxic, DMFC have low efficiency compared to PEMFC due to the high pervasion of methyl alcohol through the membrane.Alkaline Fuel Cells ( AFC )AFC were one of the set-back type of fuel cell engineerings developed and used in the unify States infinite plan to bring forth electricity. AFC operates by utilizing a settlement of K hydrated oxide ( KOH ) in H2O as the electrolyte. It can utilize a broad scope of assorted non-precious metals as a accelerator at the anode and the cathode. AFC operates at temperature between 100AC and 250AC, nevertheless, most recent design of AFC operate at lower temperature of approximately 23AC to 70AC. AFC have been proven to hold efficiency of stopping point to 60 % .Advantages of AFC are The be of AFC are lowered compared to other signifiers of fuel cell engineerings because Alkaline engineering can work absolutely good without the usage of cherished metals.The AFC operates at a low temperature of about 70AC. This lower its cos ts because the lower the operating temperature, the lower the cost of the stuffs needed to make a working and safe(p) system.AFC has the highest efficiency of all fuel cell type ( about 60 % ) .AFC nevertheless is susceptible to crack, hence requires pure H and O. Susceptibility of AFCs to taint besides affects the cell s life-time, therefore extra cost.Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells ( PAFC )The PAFC is one of the modern fuel cell and the first to be used commercially. PAFC can bring forth up to 200 kilowatt of power and is chiefly used to power stationary power coevals and besides to power big vehicles like coachs. The PAFC uses liquid phosphoric acid as an electrolyte. The phosphorous acid is contained in a Teflon-bonded Si carbide matrix and porous C electrodes incorporating a Pt accelerator. The chief feature of PAFC is the impregnation of the phosphorous acid aqueous solution as the electrolyte in the matrix. The efficiency of PAFC is approximately 40 % but can be increased to o ver 70 % with combined heat and power. One of the chief advantages of PAFC is that they are more undecided to drosss in fossil fuels that have been reformed into H than PEMFC, which are lucky poisoned by C monoxide. PAFC are besides more efficient when used for the cogeneration of electricity and heat ( about 85 % ) . Other benefit of PAFC is its first-class dependability and long-run public presentation.The disadvantage nevertheless is that it takes longer to warm up because it operates at a higher temperature ( between 150AC and 200AC ) , therefore doing it unsuitable for usage in autos. It besides requires Pt as a accelerator like most other types of fuel cells, but provides low power and current. Another deficit of PAFC is its size and volume in relation to their end product compared with other types of fuel cell.Molten change Fuel Cells ( MCFC )Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ( SOFC )HydrogenElectrolysisPEM Fuel Cell and Electrolyser run PrinciplesTableFuel Cell Development in Futu re An nonparasitic OpinionExperiment How to Better Output and Efficiency ofaConsequence calculation of Improved Efficiency/PerformanceDecisionGlossaryAppendixs