what is a “fuel cell?” generates electricity by a chemical reaction produces heat, water, and at...
TRANSCRIPT
Electricity At It’s Best
Fuel Cells
WHAT IS A “FUEL CELL?”
Generates electricity by a
chemical reaction
Produces heat, water, and at times
nitrogen oxide
Hydrogen and Oxygen
Individual cells have electrolytes
Two electrodes; anodes and
cathodes
FUEL CELLS AND THEIR WORKSStep 1: Hydrogen and Oxygen• Hydrogen is fed into an anode catalyst opposite Oxygen is fed into a cathode catalyst
for the currents to move• Hydrogen splits creating a proton and an electron
Step 2: Proton and Electron Paths• Proton passes through the electrolyte• Electrons flow in a separate current; it is being saved for a later usage in the cathode to mix with
oxygen and hydrogen potentially forming water
Step 3: Part of a Fuel Cell System: Fuel Reformer • Reforms hydrogen from any hydrocarbon fuel changing it from natural gas to methanol• Little Pollution is collect throughout which is a great benefit
This is when the Hydrogen atom is fed in; this is
the fuel
Here is when the Oxygen is put in for the currents to circulate
H+ atom breaks into
+ and -
Oxygen and Hydrogen finally are formed into
H20
APPLICATIONS
Fuel Cell Uses
Stationary
Transportation
Micro Power
Portable Power
Types of Fuel Cells How it works
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell Uses liquid phosphoric acid as an electrolyte;
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell candidate for such smaller applications (rechargeable batteries)
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell suitable for stationary applications as well as auxiliary power units
Alkaline Fuel Cell Operates on compressed hydrogen and oxygen
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Anode Catalyst itself draws the hydrogen from liquid methanol eliminating the use for the fuel reformer
Regenerative Fuel Cell Closed loop form of power generation; once the hydrogen is fed in and separated from protons and electrons, the water is recirculated into the electrolyzer and reused again.
Zinc Air Fuel Cell Close looped system creates zinc and oxygen; goes through a process that converts hydroxyl ions and water so that it reaches the zinc anode; regenerates fuel silently and automatically; no hassle
Proton Ceramic Fuel Cell Also has a closed loop system; satisfactory because the process that it goes through, or the recirculating of energy, takes around 5 minutes which provides no problem; good because eliminates costly procedure of producing hydrogen
Microbial Fuel Cell Converts organic materials into fuel using the catalytic reaction of microorganisms;
BENEFITS
Fin
Creators:
Anahita SepehrifarAngie GeorgarasViridiana Becerra
Krista Grund Wickramasekera