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Effect of The Electrolyte's PH in Optimizing The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Efficiency

The project investigates how the pH of the electrolyte affects the efficiency of Hydrogen Fuel Cells, hypothesizing that both acidic and alkaline conditions improve efficiency compared to neutral pH. Experimental results show that alkaline electrolytes (pH10) yield the highest efficiency, while neutral (pH7) yields the lowest. The study concludes that using either alkaline or acidic electrolytes enhances fuel cell performance compared to neutral pH.

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214 views1 page

Effect of The Electrolyte's PH in Optimizing The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Efficiency

The project investigates how the pH of the electrolyte affects the efficiency of Hydrogen Fuel Cells, hypothesizing that both acidic and alkaline conditions improve efficiency compared to neutral pH. Experimental results show that alkaline electrolytes (pH10) yield the highest efficiency, while neutral (pH7) yields the lowest. The study concludes that using either alkaline or acidic electrolytes enhances fuel cell performance compared to neutral pH.

Uploaded by

laxmibaraja625732
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CALIFORNIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR

2012 PROJECT SUMMARY

Name(s) Project Number


Vardhaan S. Ambati
J0602
Project Title
Effect of the Electrolyte's pH in Optimizing the Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Efficiency
Abstract
Objectives/Goals
Hydrogen Fuel Cells are renewable energy cells, and a promising answer to the Earth#s energy crisis. My
project was to determine if the pH of the electrolyte used in Hydrogen Fuel Cells has an effect on the
efficiency of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell. I believe the efficiency of Hydrogen fuel cells is higher when the
electrolyte is more acidic or more alkaline than when it is neutral.
Methods/Materials
Constructed a simplified Hydrogen Fuel Cell using Grove Schematic, with Platinum coated nickel wires
as electrodes, and distilled water as the electrolyte. Nine volt battery was used to electrolyze water.
Voltmeter and Ammeter were used to measure voltage and current generated due to reverse electrolysis
caused by presence of Platinum (catalyst), when battery is removed. Hydroponics pH control kit was used
to change the pH of the electrolyte. Voltage and current readings were taken for varying pH levels (4 to
10). Efficiency was calculated by multiplying current and voltage measured for each pH level. The
experiment was repeated three times for accurate results.
Results
Consistently, Hydrogen fuel cell with the electrolyte of pH7 had the lowest efficiency and the electrolyte
with pH10 had the highest efficiency. Both acidic and alkaline electrolytes had better efficiency than
electrolyte with pH7, but alkaline electrolytes were more efficient than the acidic electrolytes.
Conclusions/Discussion
My conclusion is that Hydrogen fuel cells with alkaline and acidic electrolytes are more efficient than fuel
cells with electrolytes with pH7 (neutral), but alkaline electrolytes have the best efficiency.

Summary Statement
My project is to determine the effect of the electrolyte's pH in optimizing the Hydrogen Fuel Cell
efficiency.

Help Received
Jim McElroy, NASA Scientist & Bloom Energy Co-founder, Arne Ballantine and Chockkalingam
Karuppaiah, Leading Scientists from Bloom Energy, Gerry Glaser & Matt Jorgensen, Xilinx, provided
guidance and suggested improvements for my project. My parents supervised me.

Ap2/12

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