UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING &TECHNOLOGY PESHAWAR

Name:

Aizaz Muhammad

Reg. No:

21PWCEE0008

Subject:

Hydrogen & Fuel Cell

Semester: 6th

Assignment:

3rd

Submitted to:

Dr. Adnan Daud Khan

Energy Engineering Department

Question 1)
A fuel cell is designed to operate in a remote area with limited access to hydrogen fuel. The fuel cell uses
a liquid fuel that can be easily transported and stored. DISCUSS the type of fuel cell that is most likely
being used, and what is the byproduct of the reaction?(CLO 01-C2-PLO2)

Answer
A fuel cell that is most likely being used is a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) to discussed it,its
operation, components, advantages, challenges, and its byproducts:

Operating Principle:
 A DMFC operates on the principle of electrochemical conversion of chemical energy directly into
electrical energy.
 Methanol (CH3OH) is supplied to the anode compartment of the fuel cell.
 At the anode, methanol is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst (typically platinum or platinum-
ruthenium) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), protons (H+), and electrons (e-): CH3OH + H2O →
CO2 + 6H+ + 6e-.
 The released protons migrate through the proton-conducting electrolyte membrane to the
cathode.
 Oxygen from the air is supplied to the cathode, where it reacts with the protons and electrons to
form water: 3/2O2 + 6H+ + 6e- → 3H2O.
 The electrons flow through an external circuit, generating an electric current that can be used to
power devices.

Components:
Anode:
Where methanol oxidation occurs.

Cathode:
Where oxygen reduction occurs.

Proton-conducting electrolyte membrane:

Separates the anode and cathode compartments, allowing the passage of protons while blocking the
flow of electrons.

Catalysts:
Platinum-based catalysts are commonly used to facilitate the electrochemical reactions at the
electrodes.

Bipolar plates:
Conductive plates that distribute reactants and products to and from the electrodes.
Gas diffusion layers:
Porous layers that allow the diffusion of reactants (methanol and oxygen) to the electrodes and the
removal of products (CO2 and water) from the electrodes.

Advantages:
 Liquid fuel (methanol) is easier to transport and store compared to gaseous hydrogen.
 Higher energy density compared to hydrogen fuel cells.
 Can operate at relatively low temperatures, typically around 60-90°C.
 Reduced complexity in infrastructure for refueling compared to hydrogen fuel cells.
 Lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional internal combustion engines.

Challenges:
Methanol crossover:
Methanol molecules can permeate through the electrolyte membrane, leading to fuel crossover and
reduced cell efficiency.

Catalyst poisoning:
Methanol oxidation can lead to catalyst degradation and reduced cell performance over time.

Limited power density:

DMFCs typically have lower power densities compared to hydrogen fuel cells.

Safety concerns:
Methanol is toxic and flammable, requiring careful handling and storage.

Byproducts:
 The main byproducts of the DMFC reaction are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
 CO2 is released at the anode during methanol oxidation, while water is produced at the cathode
during oxygen reduction.
 These byproducts make DMFCs a cleaner energy option compared to traditional fossil fuel
combustion technologies.

DMFCs offer a promising solution for remote power generation and portable electronic devices where
access to hydrogen fuel may be limited. However, ongoing focused on addressing challenges such as
methanol crossover and catalyst degradation to improve the efficiency and durability of DMFCs for
widespread commercial use.

Question 2)
In a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), the catalyst layer is typically a thin porous layer
coated on the electrodes (anode and cathode). This layer is important for facilitating the electrochemical
reactions that generate electricity. DESCRIBE the specific role of the catalyst in the cathode catalyst
layer. [CLO 01- C2- PLO 2]

Answer
Introduction
In the cathode catalyst layer of a PEMFC, the catalyst plays a crucial role in facilitating the oxygen
reduction reaction (ORR). It accelerates the rate of this reaction, which involves the reduction of oxygen
molecules to water molecules, releasing protons and electrons in the process. This catalytic activity is
essential for efficient electricity generation within the fuel cell.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR)

In the cathode of a PEMFC, the primary electrochemical reaction is the oxygen reduction reaction
(ORR). This reaction involves the reduction of oxygen molecules (O2) to water molecules (H2O) by
accepting electrons and protons. The overall chemical reaction can be represented as:

O2 + 4e- + 4H^+ → 2H2O.

Role of Catalyst
The catalyst in the cathode catalyst layer accelerates the rate of the ORR. It provides active sites where
oxygen molecules can be adsorbed and undergo the necessary chemical transformations. Without the
catalyst, the ORR would occur at a significantly slower rate, leading to reduced fuel cell performance.

Catalytic Sites
The catalyst typically used in the cathode catalyst layer is often composed of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles
supported on a high surface area carbon material. These nanoparticles provide numerous catalytic sites
for the ORR to occur. The high surface area of the catalyst increases the number of active sites available
for the reaction, enhancing the overall efficiency of the fuel cell.

Electron Transfer
As oxygen molecules are adsorbed onto the catalyst surface, they react with electrons and protons from
the electrolyte. The catalyst facilitates the transfer of electrons from the oxygen molecules to the
electrode, allowing the reduction reaction to proceed.

Proton Transfer
In addition to facilitating electron transfer, the catalyst also plays a role in proton transfer during the
ORR. Protons from the electrolyte are involved in the reduction reaction, and the catalyst helps in
facilitating their movement to the reaction sites, ensuring efficient proton transfer during the
electrochemical process.

Enhanced Performance
By accelerating the rate of the ORR, the catalyst enhances the performance of the PEMFC. This results in
higher current densities, improved power output, and overall increased efficiency of the fuel cell system.
The catalyst in the cathode catalyst layer of a PEMFC plays a vital role in facilitating the oxygen reduction
reaction by providing active sites for the reaction to occur, facilitating electron and proton transfer, and
ultimately enhancing the performance of the fuel cell.