Fuel cells

Overview of Lecture
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Introduction to fuel cells. Overview of material and energy flows. Overview of energy conversion processes. Analysis of fuel cell
Electrodes and electrolytes. Energy liberated by an electrochemical cell. Mass balance. Energy balance and efficiency. Overview of mass transfer issues.

4.1
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Introduction to fuel cells and their use
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Fuel tank

Drive train

Reformer

Electric motor

Oxidizer

Fuel Cells

Inverter
4.2
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Image from www.fe.doe.gov/programs/powersystems/fuelcells/

Fuel cells
Overview of material and energy flows
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Exhaust (H2O)

Fuel + Oxidizer (chemical energy)

Fuel Cell

DC current (electrical energy)

Heat transfer (thermal energy)

4.3
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Stage 1 in energy conversion: H2 2H+ + 2e
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Catalyst Catalyst

+
Electrolyte

Catalyst

Catalyst Anode

+
4.4
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Stage 2 in energy conversion: Charge transport
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Inverter
+ +

+ + + + + +
cathode
4.5
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

+ + +

+ + +

acid + electrolyte
+ + +

+
anode

Fuel cells
Stage 3 in energy conversion: 2H+ + O2 + 2e H2O
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

+
Electrolyte

Catalyst

Catalyst

Catalyst

Catalyst

Cathode
4.6
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Electrodes and electrolytes
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Electrodes (conduct electrons and facilitate reactions)

Anode (): H2 2H+ + 2e + 0 V (oxidation reaction) Cathode (+): O2 + 2+ + 2e H2O + 1.23 V (reduction reaction) Conductive Permeable solid OR porous Support catalysts

Electrolytes (facilitate transport of ions between electrodes)

Conduct ions but not electrons Does not adsorb H2, O2, Liquid (alkali, acid, salt) OR solid (oxide, conductive polymer).
4.7
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Step 1 of analysis: Electrochemical energy
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Energy from a cell with an emf, V, is given by E = qV where the charge is given by
q = neNae = neF

F = 96485 C/mol is the Faraday. Example 4.1 Evaluate the energy liberated by a H2-O2 fuel cell per mol of electrons produced.
4.8
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Step 2 of analysis: Mass balance
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Example 4.2 Evaluate the mass flow rate of hydrogen and oxygen required to produce 80 kW of power, and the rate of water production. Example 4.3 If the hydrogen must be produced by the reforming of gasoline, determine the rate of gasoline consumption and CO production. Example 4.4 Compare this with the CO2 produced for an IC using gasoline (heat of combustion of 45 MJ/kg) producing the same power what is wrong with this comparison?
4.9
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Step 3 of analysis: Energy balance and efficiency
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

All laws of Thermodynamics still apply a fuel cell cannot be 100% efficient! The maximum thermal efficiency of a fuel cell exceeds substantially that of an IC engine

=
fc max

Example 4.6 Discuss the inefficiencies in a fuel cell power system and make an estimate of the overall efficiency. Example 4.7 Compare the efficiency of the fuel cell power system with that based on an IC engine. 4.10
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

G 228572 = 0.95 H 241818

Fuel cells
Step 4 of analysis: Mass transfer
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Mass transfer occurs in three places in the fuel cell

Anode Electrolyte Cathode

Mass transfer is driven by a chemical potential gradient

concentration gradient charge gradient

Mass transfer affected by

interfacial surface area degree of turbulence properties of media involved

Example 4.8 Discuss the mass transfer process for a fuel cell.

4.11
Mark J. Biggs, 2005

Fuel cells
Summary
Engineering 1: Chemical Engineering

Fuel cells: chemical energy to electrical energy. Power from fuel cell: defined by Faradays equation E = neFV

Efficiency of fuel cells: greater than IC engines BUT we must not forget the losses entailed in form of fuel, inverter, etc for the fuel cell system. Fuel storage: fuel phase and phase behaviour important issue. Mass transfer: occurs throughout a fuel cell and is driven by concentration and charge gradients.

4.12
Mark J. Biggs, 2005