The Future Of Fuel Cell Technology Engineering Essay

In our contemporary universe of planetary heating, clime alteration, provoke insecurity, and high life force pack and ingestion from developing states, it is perfectly necessary we started looking into how to bring out the antecedent of the hereafter. Through research, development, and promotion of engineering, several beginnings of alternate, clean renewable energy have been identified. One of the alternate beginnings of energy for the hereafter is The give notice cadre Technology . This engineering ( burn down cubicle engineering ) has the achievable to be the drift which volition transform the manner in which industries of today will bring forth energy of tomorrow.Fuel Cell plenty unless be describe as a cause bring forthing g all overnance made up of electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of H into electrical energy. The electrical energy is generated from the chemical reaction between H ( which is the burn down ) an O ( which is the oxidizer ) .The history of fuel cells history pot be dated back to 1939 when William Grove, a British scientist fore roughly discovered its rule. He demonstrated this by utilizing four long cells ( each incorporating H and O ) to bring forth electric power which was so used to select the water system ( 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 limitless 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 can compete with other sources/ flakes of energy coevals.Fuel CellsTypesThere are several types of fuel cells being developed. The chieftain difference between fuel cells types is their electrolyte. The chief fuel cells types are listed underProton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells ( PEMFC ) This is at any rate called the Polymer Electrol yte Membrane Fuel Cell. It is the most favorable fuel cell engineering that offer alternate to the subjective hot engine. The PEMFC uses a thin plastic membrane as its electrolyte. The reaction gases ( H and O ) are fed into the cell to respond with the anode and the cathode. The fuel H continuously f minuscules to the anode. At the anode, H ions ( or protons ) and negatrons are discover 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. type O continuously flow to the cathode. At the cathode the O combines with H ions and the negatrons to organize H2O which flows out of the cell.2HA? a 4Ha?? + 4ea? comparison for the reaction of the anodeOa + 4Ha?? + 4ea? a 2HaO Equation for the reaction at the cathode2Ha + Oa a 2HaO Overall Equation attribute 1 How PEMFC works ( Beginning hypertext transfer protocol //altenergystation.com/fuel-cells.html )The PEMFC has many adva ntages over all other types of fuel cell The PEMFC has a high power meanness and a low operating temperature ( of about 60-80 grades Celsius ) compared with other types of fuel cell. Its low operating temperature makes the fuel cell to warm up and come down bring forthing electrical energy within a short plosive consonant 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 likewise less caustic and has longer cell life and stack life. other(a) advantages of PEMFC areIt merely requires H and O as reactant.The by production is H2O.It can be used as an option to internal burning engine.Although PEMFC has many benefits, it does custody some damages excessively.The operating temperature is low ( about 80AC ) which is non high plenty to execute utile cogeneration.It is an expensive signifier of electricity coevals. It cost about ?2500 ?5000 pe r kilowatt.The control of wet in the cathode and anode watercourse is of deduction as the electrolyte is required to be saturated with H2O to run optimally.Direct wood alcohol Fuel Cells ( DMFC )These types of fuel cells are comparable to the PEMFC except that methyl radical alcohol is used as fuel alternatively of H. It works by oxidising of the liquidness methyl alcohol ( CHa?OH ) in the presence of H2O at the anode. The DMFC uses the very(prenominal) type of electrolyte as the PEMFC, but 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 like laptops, 2-way wirelesss, cell ph whizs, 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 pow er denseness of 300-1000mWcmA? . DMFC can run between 50AC and 120AC with an force of approximately 40 % .The DMFC offers a batch of benefits compared with PEMFC besides its development is still in its early phases. Some of its advantages are It uses a liquid ( methyl alcohol ) fuel for power. Methanol can compound efficaciously with transmittal and distribution systems that are already in being.It does non bring a complicated fuel storage system, as suppose to total heat fuel storage for PEMFC.It is simpler in its design, and has the possible for low-volume, lightweight packaging.Methanol is easier to convey and provide in commercial measures utilizing current gasolene substructure.The chief disadvantage just, is that the low oxidation of methyl alcohol to hydrogen ions and COa requires a much active accelerator. The fuel stack requires big measures of Pt compared with the PEMFC. Due to the big measures of Pt requires, the DMFC are more expensive. Other disadvantages are methanol is passing caustic and toxic, DMFC have low efficiency compared to PEMFC due to the high interpenetration of methyl alcohol through the membrane.Alkaline Fuel Cells ( AFC )AFC were one of the first type of fuel cell engineerings developed and used in the United States infinite plan to bring forth electricity. AFC pop offs by utilizing a solution 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 frown temperature of approximately 23AC to 70AC. AFC have been proved to hold efficiency of stopping point to 60 % .Advantages of AFC are The costs 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. Th is lower its costs because the lower the operating temperature, the lower the cost of the stuffs needed to make a working and dependable system.AFC has the highest efficiency of all fuel cell type ( about 60 % ) .AFC nevertheless is susceptible to taint, hence requires pure H and O. Susceptibility of AFCs to taint besides affects the cell s life-time, accordingly 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 mainly used to power stationary power coevals and besides to power big vehicles like coachs. The PAFC uses liquid phosphoric point 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 over 70 % with have heat and power. One of the chief advantages of PAFC is that they are more receptive to drosss in fossil fuels that have been reformed into H than PEMFC, which are easy 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 reliability 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 resemblance to their end product compared with other types of fuel cell.Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells ( MCFC )Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ( SOFC )HydrogenElectrolysisPEM Fuel Cell and Electrolyser Operating Principles delayFuel Cell Development in Future An Independent effectExperiment How to Better Output and Efficiency ofaConsequence Calculation of improve Efficiency/PerformanceDecisionGlossaryAppendixs