Fuel Cell (2)

For Academic Purpose Only

Contents

• Principles
• FuelCell types (overview)
• Fuelcell Characterization
• Fuelcell Applications
 Principles

You can think of a fuel cell as a “factory” that takes fuel

as input and produces electricity as output.
(See Figure 1.1.) Like a factory, a fuel cell will continue
to churn out product (electricity) as long as raw material
(fuel) is supplied. This is the key difference between a
fuel cell and a battery.

While both rely on electrochemistry to work their magic,

a fuel cell is not consumed when it produces electricity.
It is really a factory, a shell, which transforms the
chemical energy stored in a fuel into electrical energy.
 Principles

Consider an alternative solution:

to produce electricity directly from the chemical reaction by somehow harnessing the
electrons as they move from high-energy reactant bonds to low-energy product bonds.

In fact, this is exactly what a fuel cell does.

But the question is, how do we harness electrons that reconfigure in picoseconds at
subatomic length scales? The answer is to spatially separate the hydrogen and oxygen
reactants so that the electron transfer necessary to complete the bonding
reconfiguration occurs over a greatly extended length scale. Then, as the electrons
move from the fuel species to the oxidant species, they can be harnessed as an
electrical current.
Principles (How Fuel Cell works?)
Figure 1.4 shows an example of an extremely simple H2–O2 fuel cell. This fuel
cell consists of two platinum electrodes dipped into sulfuric acid (an aqueous
acid electrolyte).
Hydrogen gas, bubbled across the left electrode, is split into protons (H+)
and electrons following Equation 1.2. The protons can flowthrough the
electrolyte (the sulfuric acid is like a “sea” of H+), but the electrons cannot.
Instead, the electrons flow from left to right through a piece of wire that
connects the two platinum electrodes. Note that the resulting current, as it
is traditionally defined, is in the opposite direction. When the electrons
reach the right electrode, they recombine with protons and bubbling oxygen
gas to producewater following Equation 1.3. If a load (e.g., a light bulb) is
introduced along the path of the electrons, the flowing electrons will
provide power to the load, causing the light bulb to glow.

Please watch: Our fuel cell is producing electricity! The first

fuel cell, invented by William Grove in 1839
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oGF7kIbtqI
Fuel Cell types

There are five major types of fuel cells, differentiated from one
another on the basis of their electrolyte:
1. Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC)
2. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
3. Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
4. Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)
5. Solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC)
 After you have finished your discussion, please
construct your group presentation in a ppt file
Group Assignment which consists of the following contents:
1. General overview about Fuel Cell
2. Please discuss about your own Fuel Cell
type. For example Group 1 is discussing
about PAFC, then please discuss in your
ppt file all informations about PAFC,
starting from definition, the schematic
PAFC cell, Mechanism/reaction involved,
etc.
Please work in Group and discuss each type of Fuel cell
type, 3. Application of your own Fuelcell type
4. (You can add more contents, at least you
have the three points above)
Group 1 ➔ Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) 5. References
Group 2 ➔ Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) 6. Min. 30 slides

Group 3 ➔ Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)

The deadline of this assignment should be
Group 4 ➔ Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) submitted before 21-04-2020, 18.00 WIB (via
emas)
Group 5 ➔ Solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) Your group will get EXTRA CREDIT /REMARK
/BONUS POIN if you submit your group works
in the form of Video which consists of the
presentation, presented by each group
(the member of each group is listed in the next slide) member.
 Group Assignment

Group 1: Group 2: Group 3: Group 4: Group 5:

Feriz Kausar
Humaid Thalib Rudy Dwi Wahyusyah Hery Affandi Paranai Suhasfan
Ibrahim Umar
Aan Nurochman Alisjahbana Yoga Adi Candra Irwan Paundra Sakti Prieta Adriana
Abeth Novria Sonjaya Irwan Kristiawan Ahmad Feisal M. Rezansyah Tangguh Rendy Yuliansyah
Leonardus Hamonangan Prasetya
Andhita Dodi Risnata Sijabat Dawud Shibghotulloh Selly Danastri
M Atthar Majid
Maya Rhamdhanika
Arzil Harsya Erni Indriyaningsih Yogi Yohannes Siburian
Maximillian Eureka Stef Novi Ayuningtias
Budi Santoso Dondo Heri Dwi Sulistyo
Fuel Cell types

There are five major types of fuel cells, differentiated from one
another on the basis of their electrolyte:
1. Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC)
2. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) (or Proton
Exchange membrane Fuel Cell)
3. Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
4. Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)
5. Solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC)
 Fuel Cell types (Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC)
overview

A schematic of a PAFC is provided in Figure. Pure phosphoric

acid solidifies at 42 °C. Therefore, PAFCs must be operated
above this temperature. Because freeze–thaw cycles can
cause serious stress issues, commissioned PAFCs are usually
maintained at operating temperature.
Optimal performance occurs at temperatures of 180–210 °C.
Above 210°C, H3PO4 undergoes an unfavorable phase
transition, which renders it unsuitable as an electrolyte. The
SiC matrix provides mechanical strength to the electrolyte,
keeps the two electrodes separated, and minimizes reactant
gas crossover. During operation, H3PO4 must be continually
replenished because it gradually evaporates to the
environment (especially during higher-temperature
operation).
Electrical efficiencies of PAFC units are ≈ 40% with combined
heat and power units achieving ≈ 70%.
 Fuel Cell types (Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell)
overview

A schematic diagram of a PEMFC is provided in Figure . The polymer

membrane employed in PEMFCs is thin (20–200 μm), flexible, and
transparent. It is coated on either side with a thin layer of platinum-
based catalyst and porous carbon electrode support material.
This electrode–catalyst–membrane–catalyst–electrode sandwich
structure is referred to as a membrane electrode assembly (MEA).
The entire MEA is less than 1 mm thick. Because the polymer
membrane must be hydrated with liquid water to maintain adequate
conductivity, the operating temperature of the PEMFC is limited to
90°C or lower. Because of the low operating temperature, platinum-
based materials are the only practical catalysts currently available.
While H2 is the fuel of choice, for low-power (< 1-kW) portable
applications, liquid fuels such as methanol and formic acid are also
being considered.
One such liquid fuel solution, the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), is
a PEMFC that directly oxidizes methanol (CH3OH) to provide
electricity. The DMFC is under extensive investigation at this time
(2016). Some researchers assign these alternative-fuel PEMFCs their
own fuel cell class.
 Fuel Cell types (Alkaline fuel cell )
overview

The AFC employs an aqueous potassium hydroxide

electrolyte. In contrast to acidic fuel cells where H+ is
transmitted from the anode to the cathode, in an
alkaline fuel cell OH– is conducted from the cathode
to the anode.
Thus, water is consumed at the cathode of an AFC
while it is produced (twice as fast) at the anode. If
the excess water is not removed from the system, it
can dilute the KOH electrolyte, leading to
performance degradation.
Depending on the concentration of KOH in the
electrolyte, the AFC can operate at temperatures
between 60 and 250°C. Alkaline fuel cells require
pure hydrogen and pure oxygen as fuel and oxidant
because they cannot tolerate even atmospheric levels
of carbon dioxide.
 Fuel Cell types (Molten carbonate fuel cell)
overview

The electrolyte in the MCFC is a molten mixture of alkali carbonates, Li2CO3

and K2CO3, immobilized in a LiO–AlO2 matrix. The carbonate ion, CO32−, acts
as the mobile charge carrier in the MCFC.
In the MCFC, CO2 is produced at the anode and consumed at the cathode.
Therefore, MCFC systems must extract the CO2 from the anode and
recirculate it to the cathode. (This situation contrasts with the AFC, where
CO2 must be excluded from the cathode.) The CO2 recycling process is
actually less complicated than one might suppose. Typically, the waste
stream from the anode is fed to a burner, where the excess fuel combusts.
The resulting mixture of steam and CO2 is then mixed with fresh air and
supplied to the cathode. The heat released at the combustor preheats the
reactant air, thus improving the efficiency and maintaining the operating
temperature of the MCFC.
The electrodes in a typical MCFC are nickel based; the anode usually consists
of a nickel/chromium alloy while the cathode consists of a lithiated nickel
oxide. At both electrodes, the nickel provides catalytic activity and
conductivity. At the anode, the chromium additions maintain the high
porosity and surface area of the electrode structure. At the cathode, the
lithiated nickel oxide minimizes nickel dissolution, which could otherwise
adversely affect fuel cell performance. The relatively high operating
temperature (650°C) of the MCFC provides fuel flexibility.
 Fuel Cell types (Solid-oxide fuel cell)
overview

The SOFC employs a solid ceramic electrolyte. The most popular SOFC
electrolyte material is yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).
The anode and cathode materials in an SOFC are different. The fuel electrode
must be able to withstand the highly reducing high-temperature environment of
the anode, while the air electrode must be able to withstand the highly
oxidizing high-temperature environment of the cathode. The most common
material for the anode electrode in the SOFC is a nickel–YSZ cermet (a cermet is
a mixture of ceramic and metal). Nickel provides conductivity and catalytic
activity. The YSZ adds ion conductivity, thermal expansion compatibility, and
mechanical stability and maintains the high porosity and surface area of the
anode structure.
The cathode electrode is usually a mixed ion-conducting and electronically
conducting (MIEC) ceramic material. Typical cathode materials include
strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM), lanthanum–strontium ferrite
(LSF), lanthanum–strontium cobaltite (LSC), and lanthanum–strontium cobaltite
ferrite (LSCF). These materials show good oxidation resistance and high
catalytic activity in the cathode environment. The operating temperature of the
SOFC is currently between 600 and 1000∘C. The high operating temperature
provides both challenges and advantages. The challenges include stack
hardware, sealing, and cell interconnect issues. High temperature makes the
materials requirements, mechanical issues, reliability concerns, and thermal
expansion matching tasks more difficult.
 1. Electrochemical Characterization
Techniques (In Situ). These techniques
use the electrochemical variables of
voltage, current, and time to
Fuel Cell characterize the performance of fuel cell
devices under operating conditions.
Characterization
WHAT DO WE WANT 2. Ex Situ Characterization Techniques.
These techniques characterize the
TO CHARACTERIZE? detailed structure or properties of the
individual components composing the fuel
cell, but generally only components
removed from the fuel cell environment
in an unassembled, nonfunctional form.
 Fuel Cell Characterization (In Situ)

1. Current–Voltage (j–V) Measurement. The most ubiquitous fuel cell characterization technique,
a j–V measurement provides an overall quantitative evaluation of fuel cell performance and fuel
cell power density.
2. Current Interrupt Measurement. This method separates the contributions to fuel cell
performance into ohmic and nonohmic processes. Versatile, straightforward, and fast, current
interrupt can be used even for high-power fuel cell systems and is easily implemented in parallel
with j–V curve measurements.
3. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). This more sophisticated technique can
distinguish between ohmic, activation, and concentration losses. However, the results may be
difficult to interpret. In addition, EIS is relatively time consuming, and it is difficult to
implement for high-power fuel cell systems.
4. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). This is another sophisticated technique that provides insight into
fuel cell reaction kinetics. Like EIS, CV can be time consuming and results may be difficult to
interpret. It may require specialized modification of the fuel cell under test and/or use of
additional test gases such as argon or nitrogen.
 Fuel Cell Characterization (Ex Situ)

1. Porosity Determination. Effective fuel cell electrode and catalyst structures must have well-controlled porosity. Several
characterization techniques determine the porosity of sample structures, although many of them are destructive tests. More
sophisticated techniques even produce approximate pore size distributions.
2. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) Surface Area Measurement. Fuel cell performance critically depends on the use of
extremely high surface area catalysts. Some electrochemical techniques yield approximate surface area values; however, the
BET method allows highly accurate ex situ surface area determinations for virtually any type of sample.
3. Gas Permeability. Even highly porous fuel cell electrodes may not be very gas permeable if the pores do not lead
anywhere. Understanding mass transport in fuel cell electrodes therefore requires permeability measurements in addition to
porosity determination. While fuel cell electrodes and catalyst layers should be highly permeable, electrolytes should be gas
tight. Gas permeability testing of electrolytes is critical to the validation of ultrathin membranes, where gas leaks can prove
catastrophic.
4. Structure Determinations. A wide variety of microscopy and diffraction techniques are used to investigate the structure of
fuel cell materials. By structure, we mean grain size, crystal structure, orientation, morphology, and so on. This
determination is especially critical when new catalysts, electrodes, or electrolytes are being developed or when new
processing methods are used.
5. Chemical Determinations. In addition to characterizing physical structure, characterizing the chemical composition of fuel
cell materials is also critical. Fortunately, many techniques are available for chemical composition and analysis. Often, the
hardest part is deciding which technique is best for a given situation.
 Fuel Cell
Application
 Fuel Cell
Application
 Fuel Cell
Application
 Fuel Cell
Application
References

Ryan O’Hayre et. Al. Fuel Cell Fundamental. 2016. John Wiley &
Son, Inc. USA. ISBN: 9781119114208
More to watch

PAFC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agUTR_9InUY
PEMFC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MsG9REFN3s
AFC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFsym9DPUic
SOFC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGkzLh14Sh0
MCFC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iev7iDJHUhw