How are fuel cells classified?

Fuel cells are classified primarily by the kind of electrolyte they employ. This classification determines the kind of electro-chemical reactions that take place in the cell, the kind of catalysts required, the temperature range in which the cell operates, the fuel required, and other factors.

Beside this, what are the five types of fuel cells?

At present, five fuel-cell types are potentially appropriate for fuel-cell rail, including (1) solid oxide (SOFC), (2) molten carbonate (MCFC), (3) phosphoric acid (PAFC), (4) proton exchange membrane (PEMFC), and (5) alkaline (AFC).

Furthermore, what is a characteristic of all fuel cells?

What is a characteristic of all fuel cells? Energy from the Sun is converted into electricity. Electrical energy is produced from oxidation reactions. Oxidation reactions are used to produce thermal energy.

What are the uses of the various types of fuel cells?

Fuel cells are used for primary and backup power for commercial, industrial and residential buildings and in remote or inaccessible areas. They are also used to power fuel cell vehicles, including forklifts, automobiles, buses, boats, motorcycles and submarines.

What is the principle of fuel cell?

A typical fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode of a fuel cell and oxygen through the cathode. At the anode site, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons.

What are the four main parts of a Pemfc?

PEM fuel cells are made from several layers of different materials. The main parts of a PEM fuel cell are described below. The heart of a PEM fuel cell is the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which includes the membrane, the catalyst layers, and gas diffusion layers (GDLs).

Who invented the fuel cell?

William Robert Grove

How many main types of fuel cells are there?

At present, five fuel-cell types are potentially appropriate for fuel-cell rail, including (1) solid oxide (SOFC), (2) molten carbonate (MCFC), (3) phosphoric acid (PAFC), (4) proton exchange membrane (PEMFC), and (5) alkaline (AFC).

Is fuel cell technology viable?

Fuel cells are pollution-free power sources that convert chemical energy to electricity with high efficiency and zero emissions. Researchers at the University of Delaware are working on technology to make fuel cells cheaper and more powerful so that fuel cell vehicles can be a viable option for all someday.

What is the most common fuel cell?

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)

Type of fuel cell	Applications
Molten Carbonate (MCFC)	Large power generation
Phosphoric Acid (PAFC)	Medium to large power generation
Solid Oxide (SOFC)	Medium to large power generation
Direct Methanol (DMFC)	Portable, mobile and stationary use

What fuel is used in fuel cells?

Hydrogen

Which fuel cell is the best?

Operating at 60-70ºC (140-158ºF), AFCs are among the most efficient type of fuel cells, reaching up to 60% efficiency and up to 87% combined heat and power. Both the US and Russian/Soviet spaceships used alkaline fuel cells to produce electricity and drinking water for astronauts.

What is fuel cell and its advantages?

Benefits include: Fuel cells have a higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines. Most fuel cells operate silently, compared to internal combustion engines. Fuel cells can eliminate pollution caused by burning fossil fuels; for hydrogen fuelled fuel cells, the only by-product at point of use is water.

What are the disadvantages of fuel cells?

Disadvantages of using fuel cells in cars

hydrogen is in the gas state at room temperature and pressure, so it is difficult to store in the car.
fuel cells and electric motors are less durable than petrol engines and diesel engines, so they are not so long-lasting.
fuel cells are very expensive.

What are the half equations for hydrogen fuel cells?

2H₂₍_g₎ + O₂₍_g₎ ==> 2H₂O₍_l₎
Its a very exothermic reaction, releasing lots of heat energy when burnt, remember the 'squeaky pop' lit splint test for hydrogen!
The hydrogen - oxygen fuel cell is non-polluting, since only water is produced.
But know how to think of it in terms of bond breaking and bond making.

Is a fuel cell a galvanic cell?

A fuel cell is a galvanic cell that requires a constant external supply of reactants because the products of the reaction are continuously removed. Unlike a battery, it does not store chemical or electrical energy; a fuel cell allows electrical energy to be extracted directly from a chemical reaction.

What is the science behind hydrogen fuel cells?

A hydrogen fuel cell converts chemical energy stored by hydrogen fuel into electricity. Rather than storing chemical energy inside itself, a hydrogen fuel cell receives a supply of chemical energy from the outside. This chemical energy is stored in the hydrogen that is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell.

Are fuel cells renewable?

Fuel cells can provide a clean, consistent source of electricity and can be easily relied on as a sole power source, unlike some other renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind power. Fuel cells can use hydrogen produced from renewable electricity sources or be powered by other fuels, such as natural gas.

What is fuel cell give example?

Fuel cells make electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen. Efficiency is very good (about 40%-70%). They have a maximum efficiency of 83% if exhaust heat is used during the reaction. Also, fuel cells can use various fuels, for example, natural gas, methanol, LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), naphtha, kerosene etc.

What 2 ingredients are required for a fuel cell?

Hydrogen is the basic fuel, but fuel cells also require oxygen. One great appeal of fuel cells is that they generate electricity with very little pollution–much of the hydrogen and oxygen used in generating electricity ultimately combine to form a harmless byproduct, namely water.

What metal is used in fuel cells?

Platinum and ruthenium play a large role in this technology. Platinum is the catalyst which converts hydrogen and oxygen to heat, water and electricity. Palladium will likely also play a role in the fuel cell, but it is unknown yet how big.