Fuel Cell Structure & Principle
Fuel Cell : Principle & Structure
Fuel Cell is a highly efficient and pollution-free generating unit that directly converts the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into electric energy by electrochemical reaction. When oxygen is supplied to the cathode and hydrogen to the anode, electrochemical reaction occurs because of reverse reaction of water electrolysis. As a result, electricity, heat and water is generated.
The Map of Fuel Cell Generation System
Reformer
A unit that converts fuels like natural gas, methanol, coal, or petroleum into a fuel that has a lot of hydrogen.
Very Low Chemical and Acoustical Pollution
A unit of fuel cell basically consists of a electrolyte plate including electrolytes, an anode, a cathode and a separating plate to separate them.
When drawing out an electric current from this unit cell, 0.6~0.8V of low voltage is usually produced.
Stack
A body on which dozens or hundreds of unit cells are stacked serially.
Inverter
A unit that converts DC produced from a fuel cell into AC we use.
Fuel Cell Structure
The Kinds and the Characteristic of Fuel Cells
Fuel Cells are classified by the kinds of electrolytes , There are Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEMFC), Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC), Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC).
| Low Temperature Type Fuel Cell | High Temperature Fuel Cells | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMFC | PEDMFC | AFC | PAFC | MCFC | SOFC | |
| Operating Temperature | <100˚C | <100˚C | <100˚C | 200˚C | 650˚C | 600~1000˚C |
| Electrolyte | High Molecular Film (Solid) |
High Molecular Film (Solid) |
KOH Water Solution (Liquid) |
Phosphoric Acid (Liquid) |
Melted Carbonate (Liquid) |
Ceramics (Solid) |
| Ion Conductor | Hydrogen Ion(H+) | Hydrogen Ion(H+) | Hydroxyl Ion (OH-) |
Hydrogen Ion (H+) | Carbonic Acid Ion (CO3²-) |
Oxygen Ion(O²-) |
| Fuel(Law Material) | Methanol (Methanol ) |
Methanol (Methanol, Methane Gasoline, Hydrogen) |
Hydrogen (Hydrogen) |
Hydrogen (City Gas, LPG) |
Hydrogen,Carbon Monoxide(City Gas LPG, Coal Gas) |
Hydrogen,Carbon Monoxide(City Gas LPG, Coal Gas) |
| Efficiency(LHV) | 20~30% | 40~50% | 40% | 40~45% | 45~60% | 50~60% |
| Main Application | Portable Electric Power Source | Portable Electric Power Source Electric Power Source for Home Use Electric Power Source for transportation |
Electric Power Source for Spaceship | Decentralized Electric Power Generation | Decentralized Electric Power Generation | Decentralized Electric Power Generation |
More Related Information
- Fuel Cell Battery
- Portable Fuel Cell
