As the global search for energy alternatives gets more intense, fuel cell technology displayed its great potential, especially in automobile industry. But how do you define a fuel cell, and in how does it function? This article shall attempt the core principles of fuel cell technology in an easily digestible manner.
What Is Fuel Cell?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy from fuel (usually hydrogen) into electricity through a chemical reaction. Unlike traditional combustion engines that burn fuel to create energy, fuel cells generate power through a more efficient process that produces only water and heat as byproducts.
Basic Components of a Fuel Cell
A fuel cell composed of, at a minimum:
- Anode: The negative terminal where hydrogen gas is introduced into the fuel cell.
- Cathode: The positive terminal where oxygen is drawn from the atmosphere.
- Electrolyte: A material that permits ions to travel from one electrode to another while keeping electrons locked inside the electrodes.
- Catalyst: In most instances, approaches like iron make up the materials that are responsible for combustion reactions.
How The Process Works?
The fuel cell entails several actions in the following order:
Hydrogen Supply: High-pressure tanks store and supply hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell.
Oxidation Reaction: At the anode, the anode hydrogen molecules are probed, and the protons (ionic hydrogens) are split away from the hydrogen electrons. The catalyst assists in the reaction.
- 2H2→4H++4e−
Ion Movement: The protons travel through the electrolyte to reach the cathode, while the electrons complete an external circuit creating a current.
Reduction Reaction: Water is produced at the cathode, where oxygen gas from the atmosphere is combined with the protons and electrons arriving from the external circuit. This reaction also generates heat.
Fuel Cells: The Major Advantages
- Efficiency: The usage of fuel cells is not only eco-friendly, but also more efficient than the conventional combustions engine, converting a greater degree of energy found in fuel into power that can be utilized.
- Clean Energy: Water and heat are the only outputs of this technology meaning that fuel cells produce clean energy.
- Scalability: This is a developing fuel cell technology that can be used in different ways ranging from vehicle propulsion to provision of supplementary energy to structures.
Fuel Cell Variants
Hydrogen fuel cells are the most mainstream fuel cells, but a number of fuel cells exist and each one has its application:
- Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC): Found mainly in vehicles because they can be started relatively fast and operate within a low-temperature range.
- Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC): High Temperature, high efficiency stationary power generating devices.
- Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC): Space applications due to its ability and effectiveness in cells.
Issues Facing Fuel Cell Technology and Its Prospects
Fuel cells have their own challenges despite their benefits.
Hydrogen production: It is still based on fossil fuels although some alternative methods are under hydrogen renewable production.
Revisiting Hydrogen Infrastructure: The hydrogen filling stations are sparsely available in most areas making it hard for the turn up to be successful.
Why It’s Expensive: The components used especially platinum – which is used for catalysts – can render devices expensive to manufacture.
