An alternative, cleaner
and more efficient solution to the combustion of fossil fuels and gasoline is an
enabling technology of fuel cells. Fuel cells convert energy and utilize hydrogen
power. They provide power in portable and stationary power applications. There
is a potential of replacing internal combustion engines of vehicles by fuel
cells because they are fuel flexible, clean and energy efficient.
Working
of Fuel Cells
A fuel cell is an
electro-chemical energy conversion device that generates electricity using
chemical energy of hydrogen. It also produces heat and water as byproducts. The
operation of fuel cells is similar to a battery, except that it takes chemicals
from the outside and can generate power indefinitely. A fuel cell consists of
two electrodes, i.e. the cathode and anode, where the chemical reaction takes
place creating electric current.
Types
of Fuel Cells
Primarily, fuel cells
are classified by the kind of electrolyte used. This classification determines
other factors, such as kind of catalysts, required fuel, kind of chemical
reactions and temperature range. These factors affect the suitability of fuel
cells in a particular application. Currently, many types of fuel cells are
being developed including direct methanol, solid oxide, polymer electrolyte
membrane, alkaline, molten carbonate, regenerative, and phosphoric fuel cells.
Benefits
Compared to
conventional technologies based on combustion, fuel cells offer a wide variety
of benefits. In terms of efficiency, fuel cells are two times more energy efficient
than combustion engines. They improve our environment significantly and
eliminate health hazards since they do not produce greenhouse gases, air
pollutants, particles or toxins. Fuel cells offer flexibility since the types
can operate on different fuels including methanol, hydrogen, biogas, ethanol,
and natural gas. They are scalable providing power from milliwatts for small
applications to megawatts for large applications. Also, they complement other
technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries.
Applications
The potential
applications of fuel cells vary widely that make them unique in the practical
world. They can provide power to a small system, such as a laptop computer, and
also to larger systems, such as a utility power station. Currently, fuels cells
are used in passenger vehicles and power plants eliminating the dangers of
health problems.
References
http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cells
http://www.chfca.ca/education-centre/what-is-a-fuel-cell/
http://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/electrical_electronic_components/power_generation_storage/alternative_power_generators/fuel_cells
image - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Solid_oxide_fuel_cell_protonic.svg
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Re: Fuel Cells - Energy Empowering Technology
