FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY:A PROMISING TECHNOLOGY

FOR FUTURE
Sasanka sekhar mohanty
Energy and environmental engineering, chemical department
NIT ROURKELA ,INDIA

ABSTRACT:-
World’s first fuel cell described in the early 1800’s was fuelled with hydrogen. While
hydrogen is still the most common fuels offer several advantages including availability at
lower cost, higher storage density and existing infrastructure .This paper provide an overview
of working of fuel cell and classify the fuel cell based on type of electrolyte .But hydrogen
fuel having some major disadvantages of storage , handling, source is less . hydrocarbon fuel
are easily available and can be used in rural area ,portable application and transportation
application .Next we have done thermal analysis , exergy analysis to get maximum output.

Keywords: hydrocarbon fuel cell, thermodyanic efficiency, exergy efficiency

INTRODUCTION:-
Global warming and air pollution are two
main challenges that threaten human health[1]
Fuel cells are being considered as cleaner
energy sources due to their low nitrogen and
sulfur oxide emissions when compared to
fossil fuels[2,3]. A fuel cell is an electro-
chemical device that produces direct electrical
current from the chemical energy stored in a
fuel[4]. The idea of fuel cells was first
described by Sir William Grove in 1839[5].
Grove devised a hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell
that consisted of a platinized platinum
electrode immersed in sulfuric acid[6]. One of
the limitations of Grove's cell was the small
current it produced as a result of the small
effective area of the Pt electrode in the cell[7].
In 1889, Ludwig Mond and his assistant Carl
Langer started an experiment to increase the
“surface of action” of the cell. They used a
porous matrix to contain the liquid
electrolytes[8] .In 1893, Friedrich Wilhelm
Ostwald determined the relation between the
different components in a fuel cell: the
electrodes, the electrolytes, the anions and
cation[9,10]. In the 1960s, General Electric
(GE) developed the first polymer electrolyte
membrane (PEM) or proton exchange
membrane fuel cell[11,12].Fuel cells are
usually classified based on their electrolyte:-
[13,14] material into five types: phosphoric
acid fuel cells (PAFC), alkalinefuel cells
(AFC), solid oxide fuel cells(SOFC), molten
carbonate fuelcells (MCFC), and proton
exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte
membrane PEM fuel cells
(PEMFC)[15,16].Hydrogen is the most
commonly used fuel in fuel cell systems (in
particular PEMFC) as it has the highest
current density of all types of fuels[17].
Hydrocarbons offer many attractive features.
They have higher energy storage density, and
easier to store/transport. The use of
hydrocarbons as fuel eliminates the fuel
processor unit, thus, decreases the overall cost
of fuel cell systems. The advantages of
hydrocarbons appear to be substantial;
however, their reaction rates are small[18].
Hydrocarbon fuels are used in high
temperature operated solid oxide fuel
cell(SOFC). In order to exploit the advantages
of other fuel cells systems such as PEMFCs,
Fig 1 schematic of fuel cell
However, the currently used perflouro
sulfonic acid membranes in PEMFCs
cannot be operated at temperatures beyond
90degC. Hence, there is an immense effort
in the literature to develop high
temperature proton. conducting
membrane[19-21]..
2-Fundamental of fuel cell :-
A single fuel cell is composed of three
components: proton conducting electrolyte ,a
cathode and an anode . This layer combination
called the membrane-electrode
assembly[22].The fuel such as hydrogen is
continuously supply to anode where an electro
oxidation reaction in the fuel occurs, and
hydrogen ions and electrons are released .The
electrons are forced to move towards the
cathode through an external circuit . The
hydrogen ions diffuse through the electrolyte
membrane towards the cathode . Hence, the
membrane doesn’t only separate cathode from
anode but also act as a proton conductive
medium . At the cathode oxygen is fed
,oxygen is reduced by electron coming from
cathode .The final product of proton exchange
their operating temperature should be
increased if hydrocarbons are the fuel.
membrane fuel cell are electricity ,water and
heat.[23].If the fuel was a hydrocarbon
reaction are:
C3 H8+6H 2O3CO2+20H++20e-
Oxygen or air enters the cathode and
following reaction taking place:-
5O2+20H++20e-10H2O
Overall reaction is:
C3 H8+5O23CO2+4H2O
2.1.1Alkaline fuel cells(AFC):-
AFC is the oldest type of fuel
cells[24,25].AFC uses a liquid electrolyte
solution of potassium hydroxide(KOH) and
H2 as fuel . KOH most conducting of all type
alkaline hydroxide[26].Advantages of high
efficiency and low cost[27].first kinetics of
oxygen reduction is occurred in AFC
.Inexpensive catalyst are used here .On the
anode side nickel used as hydrogen oxidation
reaction and silver for cathode .major
disadvantages of AFC is intolerance in carbon
dioxide .when CO2 present with KOH
electrolyte carbonates are produced[28,29].
2.1.2 Molten carbonate fuel cell(MCFCs):-
MCFC fuel cell operate at the temp
range of 550oC-700oC shown in Fig 2 .The
electrolyte is the molten carbonate salt
suspended in a porous ceramic matrix
composed of beta-alumina.Anode and cathode
both made of nickel based powders . Oxidant
usually O2 mixed with CO2 . MCFCs possess
number of advantages: high efficiency and
can be used as carbon capture and storage
system . They can be coupled to gas turbines
to give extremely efficient power .
2.1.3 Phosphoric acid fuel cell(PAFCs):-
 Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC)
are considered to be the most advanced and
the most commercially used in many
countries. The operating temperature of
PAFCs is around 200oC. This temperature is
lower than the operating temperature in
molten carbonate fuel cells and solid oxide
fuel cells, but higher than that in proton
exchange membranes fuel cells. The
electrolyte in PAFCs is phosphoric acid
(H3PO4). Advantage of high stability,
moderate temperature operation, low vapor
pressure, ability to use air as an oxidant and Fig 2 molten carbonate fuel cell
high tolerance for carbon dioxide
Disadvantage of low power density compared 2.1.5 Proton exchange membrane fuel
to conventional combustion engines. cell(PEMFC):-
2.1.4 Solid oxide fuel cell(SOFCs):- Proton Exchange Membranes Fuel Cells
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are (PEM) fuel cells are currently receiving the
high temperature fuel cells that operate at the most interest among all other type cells.
range of 700oC-1000oC under atmospheric or Their remarkable features such as low
pressurized conditions shown in Fig 3[47]. temperature operation, all solid structure,
The most widely used electrolyte for SOFCs easy scale-up and high power density make
is yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ).These
them a promising clean and efficient power
characteristics include: stability in the
oxidizing environment, sufficient catalytic generation technology.The most important
activity for oxygen reduction under operating application for PEM fuel cells is in the
conditions and good electronic automotive industry. The basic elements
conductivity.MnO2 is used as a cathode. For that make up a PEM fuel cell are bipolar
the anode compartment, Ni-YSZ is used as it plates, diffusion layers, electrodes and an
has a dual role of being a catalyst for electrolyte.The typical operating
hydrogen oxidation and being an electrical
temperature for a PEM fuel cell is around
current conductor. SOFCs are considered the
most efficient type of fuel cells, they produce 80 oC. Both the anode and cathode in PEM
high quality heat by products that can be used fuel cells consist of platinum supported on
for co-generations or in combined cycle carbon. The most commonly used fuel in
applications, they do not contain noble metals PEM fuel cells is hydrogen and the oxidant
catalysts and they have a long life expectancy used is air.
which ranges from 40000 to 80000h.
Moreover, the high operating temperature
allows SOFCs to be flexible in terms of fuel s.

Fig 3 solid oxide fuel cell Fig 4 proton exchange membrane fuel cell
2.2 Application of fuel cell:-
2.2.1 Transportation:-
According to the EPA
transportation is responsible for 26% of
the greenhouse emissions due to the
extensive use of fossil fuels. Therefore, it
is very important to find an alternative
power source for vehicles. The
transportation industry is currently
investing in fuel cell systems to reduce the Fig 5 A bus having fuel cell
amount of greenhouse gases emissions.
The shift into cleaner energy sources 3 Thermodynamics of fuel cell:-
accompanied by the need of moving away
McIntosh and Gorte , calculated
from conventional combustion systems has
the Nernst potential for H2 and for a
become a necessity due to global warming.
hydrocarbon (n-butane). They studied the
Nevertheless, hydrogen storage systems
effect of conversion on the equilibrium
still suffer from disadvantages such as
potential for bot hfuels. It was found that
safety issues, being heavy, large and
when hydrogen is used, the potential drops
costly.
by 15% between 10 and 80% conversion.
2.2.2 Stationary application:- However, when hydrocarbons are used, the
potential drops only by 1% over the same
Fuel cells stacks can be used as conversion range for n-butane .
backup power generators in remote
locations. They can also be used as 3.1 polarization curve:-
stationary or stand-alone power plants for
The performance of a fuel cell is
cities and towns or distributed generation
calculated by a polarization curve, which
for buildings. Japan is currently the leader
is the potential of the fuel cell in volts
in installing remote fuel cell systems for
versus the current density (mA/cm2) . the
residential needs including electricity
polarization curve shows a drop in
generation and water heating.
potential as the current density of the fuel
2.2.3 Portable application:- cell increases. This curve could be divided
into three regions: 1) activation, 2) Ohmic
They can be used for many and 3) concentration.
portable applications such as: remote small
size power generation and backup
solutions, auxiliary power units for cars,
and demonstrators[5]. One major
advantage of fuel cells over batteries for
portable applications is the higher energy
density they offer. The supply of hydrogen
in electronic equipment is difficult due to
storage problems. Safety is another
concern when carrying a pure hydrogen in
an electrical equipment. The use of
methanol and liquid fuels instead of
Fig 6 polarization curve of fuel cell
hydrogen for portable systems drawn a
great attention in the recent years. 3.2 Exergy analysis of fuel cell:-
 The anode environment is very
complex due to the presence of multiple
reacting species simultaneously with
several reactions,surface diffusion and
mass transfer processes. These processes
are all governed by the thermodynamics
and the ultimate equilibrium state of the
fuel cell system. Therefore, in order to
assess the efficiency of the fuel cell, it is
necessary to evaluate the maximum
amount of energy available to do useful
work .
3.2.1 Theory and governing equation:-
Exergy is defined as the maximum
possible work that can be obtained from a
system when the system is brought into
thermal ,mechanical and chemical
equilibrium with its surrounding. The
system environment is usually defined at
reference temperature To, pressure po and
chemical potential μo . Total exergy is the
summation of physical and chemical
exergy of the same system . Exergy studies
will also highlight the inefficiency and the
degree of irrversibilities within the fuel
cell system.
The specific exergy with chemical
composition change is given by the
following equation:
where h is the enthalpy, s is the entropy, T
is the temperature, x is the mole fraction
and is the chemical potential. The
subscript Po ,TO ,μO are reference pressure
,temperature and chemical potential
respectively .
The enthalpy and entropy
difference for a liquid can be written as,
respectively,
The second law efficiency (exergy
efficiency) of a fuel cell is defined as the
ratio of the irreversible power to the
reversible power,this ratio can be
expressed
Using the above equation, the
exergy efficiency can be written in the
final form .
4 Outlook and future direction:-
In the recent years, the research
activities on direct hydrocarbon fuel cells
can be classified into three major
categories: 1)investigating alcohol fuels in
PEMFCs, 2) the development of platinum-
based catalysts and 3) development of
membranes and operation. Nafion is still
the most common polymer used in
PEMFC .Despite its very promising
properties and excellent conductivity at
temperatures lower than 90degC, but the
problem of fuel cross over is still
challenging[16].
5 Concluding remarks:-
There are number of technology
are developed since 1800s for the fuel cell
powered by hydrogen . But hydrogen
having certain limitation such as hydrogen
extraction is a major problem and its
storage . So there should be great focus on
hydrocarbon which is abundantly available
and also having more energy density. This
made it possible to use them in rural areas
and urban areas where electricity is
required in modest quantities. hydrocarbon
fuels possess one major disadvantage
when used in lower temperature fuel cells
(PEMFC). Their current densities (reaction
rates) are extremely small. So more
technology should be developed to get
better output .
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