Fuel Cells

Question 1

What is a fuel cell?

Answer 1

A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent

Question 2

What are the common fuel for fuel cells?

Answer 2

Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used.

Question 3

What is the difference between a fuel cell and battery?

Answer 3

Fuel cells are different from batteries in that they require a constant source of fuel and oxygen to run, but they can produce electricity continually for as long as these inputs are supplied.

Question 4

What is the efficiency of a fuel cell like?

Answer 4

Fuel cell converts chemical energy in a fuel directly into electrical power. By avoiding the intermediate step of converting fuel energy first into heat, which is then used to create mechanical motion and finally electrical power, fuel cell efficiency is not constrained by the Carnot limits of heat engines. Fuel-to-electric power efficiencies as high as 65% are likely.

Question 5

What are different types of fuel cells?

Answer 5

1. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
2. Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
3. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells
4. Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
5. Molten-Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
6. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)

Question 6

What are the main characteristics of SOFC? Solid Oxide Fuel Cell?

Answer 6

Electrolyte is Solid oxide.
Operating Temperature is high: 750-1050C
Applications: Power, generation and cogeneration

Question 7

Which fuel cells are suitable for portable and transportation?

Answer 7

PEMFC–proton exchange membrane

DMFC–direct methanol