Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing water and heat as byproducts. They were first demonstrated in 1801 but were invented in 1839. Fuel cells are more efficient than combustion engines and produce no pollution. A basic fuel cell system consists of a fuel cell stack that generates electricity through chemical reactions, a fuel processor that converts fuel into a form usable by the stack, a current converter that adapts the current for applications, and a heat recovery system. There are several types of fuel cells that operate at different temperatures. Fuel cells show promise for transportation, stationary power generation, and portable electronics applications due to their reliability, efficiency and lack of emissions.

1. HYDROGEN FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
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2. WHAT IS A FUEL CELL?
 A Fuel Cell is an Electrochemical Device
 It combines Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen(O2) to produce
Electricity, with Water and Heat as its by-product.
 It is like a Battery
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3. HISTORY
 First demonstrated in the early 1801 by Humphary Davy
 Invention credited to William Grove who invented it in 1839
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4. WHY IS FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY ?
 It is a clean process free from pollution
 Highly Efficient process two to three times more efficient
than fuel burning.
 Since conversion of the fuel to energy takes place via an
electrochemical process, not combustion.
 Reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower harmful
emissions that contribute to climate change
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5. DESIGN OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM
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6. DESIGN OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM
BASIC COMPONENTS :
 Fuel Cell Stack
 Fuel Processor
 Current Converter
 Heat Recovery System
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7. DESIGN OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM
 Generates DC From Chemical Reactions
 Fuel Cells combined in series into Fuel cell stack
 Amount of Power depends upon cell size, cell type & Temperature
FUEL CELL STACK (Heart of Fuel Cell)
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MEA : Member Electrode Assembly

8. DESIGN OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM
 Converts fuel into a form useable by fuel cell
 A Reformer is used for converting hydrocarbons into a
gas mixture of Hydorgen and Carbon (Reformate)
 A Reactor is used for removing impurities
FUEL PROCESSOR
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9. DESIGN OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM
FUEL PROCESSOR
REFORMING PROCESS
CH4 + H2O = CO + 3H2
CO + H2O = CO2 + H2
CH4 + + 2H2O = CO2 + 4H2
Water Gas Shift Reaction
Methane Reforming Reaction
 An Endothermic Process
 Requires External Heat Input
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10. DESIGN OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM
(Produced by Fuel cell)
CURRENT CONVERTER
• Used for adapting the electrical current from the
Fuel cell to suit the electrical needs of application
DC AC
INVERTER
RECTIFIER (Used by mostly
home appliances)
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11. DESIGN OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM
HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM
 Excess energy generated by fuel cell is used for
producing Hot water & Steam.
 Execess energy is converted into Electricity via a Gas
Turbine.
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12. TYPES OF FUEL CELL
 Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEM)
 Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)
 Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
 Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
 Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
 Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)
 Regenerative Fuel Cells
LOW
TEMPERATURE
FUEL CELLS
HIGH
TEMPERATURE
FUEL CELLS
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13. WORKING OF FUEL CELL
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14. WORKING OF FUEL CELL
 It is a chemical reaction that is caused by movement of Electrical Current
 A type of Oxidation – Reduction Reaction
 The atoms or molecules in the reaction are far apart from each other
 Forcing electrons being transferred to travel a greater distance and
produce an electrical current
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ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS

15. WORKING OF FUEL CELL
 An Anode – A Cathode – An Electrolyte
 Anode and Cathode contain catalyst that cause the fuel to
undergo oxidation reactions that generate +ve Hydrogen
ion and electrons
 An Electrolyte used for allowing +ve charged H2 ions to
move b/w two sides of fuel cell
 A typical Battery has a fixed supply of energy which
generates electrons moving from anode to cathode
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• Anode catalyst is usually made up of Platinum Powder
• Cathode catalyst is usually made up of Nickel

16. WORKING OF FUEL CELL
 An hydrogen- rich fuel enters the fuel cell stack
 This Fuel is converted into Hydrogen and Carbon oxide molecules
 At the Anode, Hydrogen molecule is converted into Hydrogen Ions
and Electron
 Through battery these electron flow from Anode to Cathode
 This Current is Direct Current (D.C.)
 At the Cathode, Hydrogen ions, electrons and Oxygen react to
form water alongwith Excessive amount of Heat
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17. PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN
 Fossil Fuels Such as Natural Gas & Coal
 Nuclear Energy
 Renewable resources such as Solar, Water, Wind and Biomass
 Thermochemical cycle
 From Water and Electrolysis
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18. APPLICATIONS OF FUEL CELL
TECHNOLOGY
 Transportation
 Stationary Power Stations
 Telecommunications
 Micro Power
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19. APPLICATIONS OF FUEL CELL
 All major automakers are working to commercialize a
fuel cell car
 12 fuel cell buses are being deployed in the Oakland and
San Francisco
 In 2004 Honda developed a fuel-cell motorcycle that
utilized the Honda FC stack
 Trains, Buses, Planes, Boats, Scooters, Forklifts and even
bicycles are utilizing Fuel Cell Technology
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TRANSPORTATION
Latest Invention : NISAAN has claimed to make a fuel cell car in which Ethanol is
used as a fuel and it claimed to commercialize this technique by 2020

20. BASIC FUEL CAR STRUCTURE
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21. APPLICATIONS OF FUEL CELL
 Over 2500 fuel cell systems have been installed
all over the world in Hospitals, Nursing Homes,
Hotels, Office Buildings, Schools etc.
 Most of these systems are connected to the
electric Grid to provide supplemental power and
backup assuarance.
 Used as a Grid- Independent Generator for
locations that are inaccessible by power lines
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STATIONARY POWER STATIONS

22. APPLICATIONS OF FUEL CELL
 Due to Computers, the Internet and Sophisticated
Communication networks, there is a need for an
incredibly Reliable power source
 Fuel Cells have been proven to be 99.99%
reliable
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS

23. APPLICATIONS OF FUEL CELL
 Consumer electronics could gain drastically
longer battery power with fuel cell technology
 Cell Phones can be powered for 30 days without
recharging
 Laptops can be powered for 20 hours without
recharging
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MICRO-POWER

24. BENEFITS OF FUEL CELL
TECHNOLOGY
 Physical Security
 Reliability
 Efficiency
 Environmental Benefits (Non- Polluted) = Less
Green House Gases Emissions
 Battery Replacements / Alternatives
 Refuled in 5 minutes
 40% higher fuel economy than diesel vehicles
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25. CHALLENGES
 Vehicle Cost
 Durability
 Getting Hydrogen to consumers
 Not familiar with public so much
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26. THANK YOU
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27. QUERIES
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