Types of Fuel Cells

 

Types of Fuel Cells

The different types of fuel cells include Alkaline Fuel Cell, Direct Methanol Fuel Cell, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, and Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell.

Type of Fuel Cell	Operating Temperature (˚C)	Fuel	Electrolyte
Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC)	40 to 200	Hydrogen	KOH
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)	60 to 130	Methanol	Polymer
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)	40 to 90	Hydrogen/ Carbondioxide	Polymer
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)	200	Hydrogen/ Carbondioxide	Phosphoric Acid
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. (SOFC)	600 to 950	Methane, Hydrogen and carbon monoxide	Solid Acid
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell. (MCFC)	650	Methane, Hydrogen and carbon monoxide	Molten Carbonate

 

Hydrogen Fuel Cells:

Hydrogen Fuel and air that has oxygen reacts when they come into make contact with an electrolyte that splits them. And this reaction results in the transmission of the electrons and ions across electrolyte from anode to cathode. If the external load is added to this and a complete circuit is created and the voltage is produced from the stream of electrical current.

Efficiency of Hydrogen Fuel Cell:

• 40% efficiency produced, coverts methanol to hydrogen in reformer
• 80% efficiency for motor, converts electrical to mechanical energy
• Overall Efficiency- 24 to 32%
• 80% of hydrogen energy content converted to the electrical energy

Hydrogen @ room temperature:

• Lighter than air
• Colourless
• Easiest and most rich constituent
• Odourless
• More proficient than the current fuels utilised in the transportation
• Additional energy per weight than that of any other energy mediums

Comparison of Auto Power Efficiency:

Technology	System Efficiency
Gasoline Engine	20%
Fuel Cell	24 to 32%
Electric Battery	26%