scholarly journals Fuel Cells: The Next Evolution

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 581-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Lashway
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Electrical Conductance ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Pure Oxygen ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractThe articles in this issue of MRS Bulletin highlight the enormous potential of fuel cells for generating electricity using multiple fuels and crossing a wide range of applications. Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy, and as a powergeneration module, they can be viewed as a continuously operating battery.They take in air (or pure oxygen, for aerospace or undersea applications) and hydrocarbon or hydrogen fuel to produce direct current at various outputs. The electrical output can be converted and then connected to motors to generate much cleaner and more fuelefficient power than is possible from internal combustion engines, even when combined with electrical generators in today's hybrid engines. The commercialization of these fuel cell technologies is contingent upon additional advances in materials science that will suit the aggressive electrochemical environment of fuel cells (i.e., both reducing an oxidizing) and provide ionic and electrical conductance for thousands of hours of operation.

Current Status of Fuel Cell Technologies

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Ni
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Principal Characteristic ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Cell Technologies ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Potential Applications

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device for electricity generation using hydrogen fuel. The principal characteristic of a fuel cell is that it can convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy with higher efficiencies than conventional mechanical systems. The emission of fuel cells using hydrogen as a fuel is only water vapour. Fuel cells are currently under development for both stationary and mobile applications in response to the need for sustainable energy technology. This paper reviews current status of fuel cell technologies, compares different types of fuel cells. The potential applications of fuel cells are discussed.

scholarly journals Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine

2021 ◽  
pp. 112-115
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Rare Earths ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Short Time

Hydrogen fuel constitutes an attainable alternative strategy, which can be implemented in the long term. This strategy can avoid the risk of commodity supply dependency (rare earths and copper) and can delay the still open decisions on e-mobility. Hydrogen internal combustion engines represent a doable and less expensive solution for using hydrogen than purchasing a new car equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell. Conventional piston engines can be switched to gas operation with relatively little change. This approach is environmentally more viable, as in a short time most vehicles can be switched to emission-free operation. Also, it can avoid the risk of commodity supply dependency (rare earths and copper) and can delay the still open decisions on e-mobility.

Challenges Facing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology to Replace Combustion Engines

2013 ◽  
Vol 724-725 ◽  
pp. 715-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Calay ◽  
Mohamad Y. Mustafa ◽  
Mahmoud F. Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Fuel Cell Technology ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
The Future

In this paper; technological challenges and commercialization barriers for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell are presented. Initially, the criteria that must be met by the energy source of the future is presented from the point of view of the authors. Sustainability, high energy content and combustion independence are recognized as the main decisive factor of future fuels, which are all met by hydrogen, consequently the application of fuel cells as combustion free direct energy converters of the future. Fuel cell technology as an alternative to heat engines is discussed in the context of the current status of fuel cells in various applications. Finally, the challenges facing fuel cell technology to replace heat engines from the commercial and research points of view are presented and discussed supported by current trends in the industry. It is concluded that there have been several advancements and breakthrough in materials, manufacturing and fabricating techniques of fuel cells since the eighties, many of these challenges which are associated with cost and durability still exist when compared with the already matured technology of internal combustion engines. Any effort to achieve these goals would be a significant contribution to the technology of the fuel cell.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell - A Future Source of Power and Heat Generation

2013 ◽  
Vol 757 ◽  
pp. 217-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Kalra ◽  
Rajeev Garg ◽  
Ajay Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Intermediate Step ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Internal Reforming

Fuel cells are devices for electrochemically converting the chemical energy of a fuel gas into electrical energy and heat without the need for direct combustion as an intermediate step. The main advantages of fuel cells are that they rely on the high conversion efficiency and low environmental impact than traditional energy conversion systems. One promising fuel cell type, Solid oxide Fuel Cell, has all the components in the solid phase utilises nano-ceramic composite materials and operates at elevated temperatures in the range 500-1000°C. It has suitable perspectives to replace their classical counterparts for the distributed generation of electrical energy with small and medium power sources. The inherent advantages of such high temperature fuel cells are internal reforming of methane and waste heat production at high temperatures which lower the demands on the fuel processing system and lead to higher efficiency compared with low temperature fuel cells. Using natural gas as feed, an electric efficiency of more than 88% has been predicted. On the other hand, considerable research is going on to reduce the operating temperatures between 600°C to 800°C to increase life-time and thereby reduce costs. These can be achieved only by using electrolytes with proper ionic conductivity at the intermediate temperatures. In addition, this technology does not produce significant amounts of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides compared with internal combustion engines. Solid oxide fuel cells are seen as ideal energy sources in transport, stationary, and distributed power generators.

scholarly journals Fueling the Cells

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (12) ◽  
pp. 46-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Sharke
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mass Production ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
Mobile Hydrogen ◽  
Cell Energy ◽  
To Come

This article focuses on how scientists, environmentalists, industrialists, and engineers are slowly beginning to agree that energy for the 21st century is going to come from hydrogen. The fuel cell, itself an invention that dates back more than 150 years, will be partly responsible for this change. Among the fossil fuels, petroleum and natural gas are considered primary contenders to provide a source of mobile hydrogen. They have higher ratios of hydrogen to carbon dioxide when compared to coal. Coal, with 50 percent hydrogen, may simply be too rich in carbon dioxide to provide an attractive source of fuel-cell energy. New demand for stationary fuel cells would then bring about a reduction in their costs through mass-production efficiencies. Although the price of fuel cells might not rival that of internal combustion engines, fuel cell pricing could fall enough to make them practical in tomorrow's super-efficient cars. A hydrogen infrastructure would follow as fuel cell vehicles caught on.

Ground Transportation: Road and Rail

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Rez
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Rolling Resistance ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
Peak Efficiency ◽  
Railroad Tracks ◽  
Air Resistance ◽  
Thin Structure ◽  
Main Disadvantage

Everything that rolls along the ground uses energy to overcome both rolling resistance and air resistance. Air resistance is more significant at higher speeds. Repeated accelerations dominate energy use in stop–start city driving. Not surprisingly, heavy, large SUVs use more energy to go a given distance than lighter, more streamlined cars. Due to the mismatch between the torque required and the rotation rate of the drive wheels, internal combustion engines in cars or trucks do not operate at their peak efficiency. Trains are the most efficient form of ground transportation due to both the lower rolling resistance of steel wheels on railroad tracks and the lower air resistance of its long and thin structure. A further advantage is that rail with fixed tracks can take advantage of the efficient generation of electrical energy. This is also obviously the main disadvantage; trains can only go where tracks have been laid.

A Methodology for Assessing Fuel Cell Performance Under a Wide Range of Operational Conditions: Results for Single Cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Baratella ◽  
Roberto Bove ◽  
Piero Lunghi
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Effective Parameters ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University

Testing the performance of fuel cells is an important key for verifying technology improvements and for demonstrating their potential. However, due to the novelty of this technology, there is not a standardized procedure for testing fuel cell performance. In order to fully investigate fuel cell performance, the behavior must be known under a wide range of operational conditions. Furthermore, in order to compare results coming from different test teams, a set of procedures and parameters to evaluate single cell performance should be defined. The research group of the Fuel Cell Laboratory of the University of Perugia is conducting performance tests on single cells, focusing on defining test procedures to find effective parameters to be used to compare tests performed by different teams. This work demonstrates how the testing parameters developed by the team allow one to perform advanced control on test procedures, to understand test results, and to compare them with tests carried out under different operational conditions. The entire analysis is easily conducted by using a single parameter variation hyperspace approach. The experimental results obtained on single fuel cells are reported.

The Resistive Properties of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells With Stainless Steel Bipolar Plates

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo-Jen Lee ◽  
Kung-Ting Yang ◽  
Yu-Ming Lee ◽  
Chi-Yuan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pure Oxygen ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Treated Cell ◽  
Ohmic Resistance

In this research, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is employed to monitor the resistance of a fuel cell during operation with different operating conditions and different materials for the bipolar plates. The operating condition variables are cell humidity, pure oxygen or air as oxidizer, and current density. Three groups of single cells were tested: a graphite cell, a stainless steel cell (treated and original), and a thin, small, treated stainless steel cell. A treated cell here means using an electrochemical treatment to improve bipolar plate anticorrosion capability. From the results, the ohmic resistance of a fully humidified treated stainless steel fuel cell is 0.28 Ω cm2. Under the same operating conditions, the ohmic resistance of the graphite and the original fuel cell are each 0.1 Ω cm2 and that of the small treated cell is 0.3 Ω cm2. Cell humidity has a greater influence on resistance than does the choice of oxidizer; furthermore, resistance variation due to humidity effects is more serious with air support. From the above results, fuel cells fundamental phenomenon such as ohmic resistance, charge transfer resistance, and mass transport resistance under different operating conditions could be evaluated.

A Comparative Study of Hydrogen Storage and Hydrocarbon Fuel Processing for Automotive Fuel Cells

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Kazemiabnavi ◽  
Aneet Soundararaj ◽  
Haniyeh Zamani ◽  
Bjoern Scharf ◽  
Priya Thyagarajan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Hydrogen Storage ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Fuel Cost ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Fuel Processing ◽  
Gasoline Vehicles

In recent years, there has been increased interest in fuel cells as a promising energy storage technology. The environmental impacts due to the extensive fossil fuel consumption is becoming increasingly important as greenhouse gas (GHG) levels in the atmosphere continue to rise rapidly. Furthermore, fuel cell efficiencies are not limited by the Carnot limit, a major thermodynamic limit for power plants and internal combustion engines. Therefore, hydrogen fuel cells could provide a long-term solution to the automotive industry, in its search for alternate propulsion systems. Two most important methods for hydrogen delivery to fuel cells used for vehicle propulsion were evaluated in this study, which are fuel processing and hydrogen storage. Moreover, the average fuel cost and the greenhouse gas emission for hydrogen fuel cell (H2 FCV) and gasoline fuel cell (GFCV) vehicles are compared to that of a regular gasoline vehicle based on the Argonne National Lab’s GREET model. The results show that the average fuel cost per 100 miles for a H2 FCV can be up to 57% lower than that of regular gasoline vehicles. Moreover, the obtained results confirm that the well to wheel greenhouse gas emission of both H2 FCV and GFCV is significantly less than that of regular gasoline vehicles. Furthermore, the investment return period for hydrogen storage techniques are compared to fuel processing methods. A qualitative safety and infrastructure dependency comparison of hydrogen storage and fuel processing methods is also presented.

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