Fuel Cells
Anke Hagen, DTU Energy
Outline
❑ Fuel cells: Basics
❑ Fuel cells: Materials
❑ Fuel cells: Systems
Outline
❑ Fuel cells: Basics
Fuel cells: Basics
• Reaction of O2 + H2
O2 H2
Fuel cells: Basics
• Reaction of O2 + H2
O2 H2
𝟐𝑯2 + 𝑶2 → 2𝑯2 𝑶 H (HHV): -285.8 kJ/mol
Fuel cells: Basics
• Reaction of O2 + H2 with a fuel cell
O2 H2
electrolyte
➢ The chemical composition of the
electrolyte determines fuel cell
type and operational conditions
Fuel cells: Basics
• Reaction of O2 + H2 with a fuel cell
cathode reduction
oxidation
O2 H2
electrolyte
anode
𝟐𝑯2 + 𝑶2 → 2𝑯2 𝑶
✓ Direct conversion of chemical
into electrical energy yields
high electrical efficiency (el)
Fuel cells: Basics Image result for flat screen tv clipart
e-
Related image
• Reaction of O2 + H2 with a fuel cell
cathode reduction
ions
oxidation
O2 H2
electrolyte
anode
𝟐𝑯2 + 𝑶2 → 2𝑯2 𝑶
✓ Direct conversion of chemical
into electrical energy yields
high electrical efficiency (el)
Fuel cells: Basics
• Fuel cell efficiency
Billedresultat for energy efficiency clipart
✓ Direct conversion of chemical
into electrical energy yields
high electrical efficiency (el)
Fuel cells: Basics
• Fuel cell efficiency
𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛
Fuel cells: Basics
➢ Fuel cell obtainable work 𝚫𝐆(𝐓ሻ
𝜼𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒚−𝑭𝑪 = ∙ 100%
𝚫𝑯
Theory-FC: Maximum achievable fuel cell efficiency in %
G: Gibbs free energy of the fuel cell reaction in kJ/mol
H: Reaction enthalpy of the fuel oxidation/combustion in kJ/mol
Fuel cells: Basics
➢ Fuel cell obtainable work 𝚫𝐆(𝐓ሻ
𝜼𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒚−𝑭𝑪 = ∙ 100%
𝚫𝑯
➢ High efficiencies at
−𝚫𝐆 = 𝐄𝒓𝒆𝒗 ∙ 𝐳 ∙ 𝐅 high voltages (E)
Theory-FC: Maximum achievable fuel cell efficiency in %
G: Gibbs free energy of the fuel cell reaction in kJ/mol
H: Reaction enthalpy of the fuel oxidation/combustion in kJ/mol
Erev: Reversible cell voltage in V
z: Number of electrons transferred in the fuel cell reaction
F: Faraday constant in C/mol (96.485 C/mol)
Fuel cells: Basics
➢ Fuel cell obtainable work
1
𝑯2 + 𝑶2 → 𝑯2 𝑶(𝒈ሻ
2
Higher heating value (HHV)
➢ Product water in liquid form
Lower heating value (LHV)
➢ Product water in vapor form
➢ High efficiencies at
lower temperatures
Outline
❑ Fuel cells: Materials
Fuel cells: Materials
➢ Catalytic activity for reduction
• Main components ➢ Gas transport (porosity)
e- ➢ Electron conductor
➢ Ion conductor
➢ Gas tight
X-/+ ➢ Ion conductor
reduction cathode X-/+ e- ➢ Electric insulator
e- ➢ Catalytic activity for oxidation
ion transport electrolyte X-/+/ e-
➢ Gas transport (porosity)
oxidation anode X-/+ - e- ➢ Electron conductor
e ➢ Ion conductor
X-/+
Fuel cells: Materials
Low temperature High temperature
Name AFC PE(M)FC PAFC SOFC MCFC
Electrolyte Alkaline Polymer Phosphoric Ceramic (Solid Molten
acid Oxide) carbonate
Charge carrier OH- H+ H+ O2- CO32-
(through electrolyte)
T (oC) 80-220 80 200 700-900 650
Fuel H2 H2 H2 HCs/CO/H2 (H2)CO/CH4
el (%) LHV 50-60 40-45 40-45 50-70 50-60
DMFC HT-PEFC
80 120-180
MeOH H2 (”CO”)
25-30 40-50
Outline
❑ Fuel cells: Systems
Fuel cells: Systems - From cells to stacks
Example: SOFC
• One cell delivers ca. 1 V in ideal situation (Erev between
oxygen and fuel, such as hydrogen)
Cathode
• Voltage < Erev when the FC operates (losses)
Electrolyte
Anode
Support
Fuel cells: Systems - From cells to stacks
Example: SOFC
• One cell delivers ca. 1 V in ideal situation (Erev between
oxygen and fuel, such as hydrogen)
Cathode 5 * ~1 V
• Voltage < Erev when the FC operates (losses)
Electrolyte
Anode
Interconnect/bipolar plate
Support
Interconnect
• To achieve higher voltages, cells are stacked through Cathode
Electrolyte
Anode
serial connection Support
Interconnect
• Interconnect plates between cells are electrical Cathode
Electrolyte
Anode
Support
connectors and gas separators Interconnect
Cathode
Electrolyte
Anode
Support
Interconnect
Cathode
Electrolyte
Anode
Support
Interconnect
Fuel cells: Systems - From cells to stacks
• One cell delivers ca. 1 V in ideal situation (Erev between
oxygen and fuel, such as hydrogen)
• Voltage < Erev when the FC operates (losses) SOFC
• To achieve higher voltages, cells are stacked through
serial connection https://www.ikts.fraunhofer.de/en/departments/energy_bio-
medical_technology/materials_and_components/ceramic_energy_c
• Interconnect plates between cells are electrical onverters/sofc_stack_development.html
connectors and gas separators
PEMFC AFC
http://www.electricauto.com/fuel
-cell-program.html
https://www.pragma-
industries.com/products/ocs/
Fuel cells: Systems – From stacks to systems
Balance of Plant (BoP)
• More or less complex depending on fuel cell
• From stacks to systems type
• Fuel and air to and from stack • Might include:
• Fuel and air pre & post processing – Cleaning
• Electrical connections & converters AdBlue – Humidification
– Catalytic conversions (prior to and after)
• Heat management
• For example DC/AC converter
Stack • For example:
– Pre-heating
Relateret billede
– Heat exchange/recovery (combined heat
and power)
Fuel cells: Systems
• Commercial fuel cell systems
https://www.erm.com/service/capabilities/energy-
climate-change/the-fuel-cell-industry-review/
Fuel cells: Systems
• (pre-) Commercial examples
Transport Stationary Remote power
https://www.erm.com/service/capabilities/energy-
climate-change/the-fuel-cell-industry-review/
Fuel cells: Systems
• (pre-) Commercial example: Transport
• Fuel cell vehicles
http://nissaninsider.co.uk/nissan-unveils-worlds-first-solid-oxide-fuel-
Photo credit: M 93: „Dein Nordrhein-Westfalen“ cell-vehicle/#prettyPhoto/0/
PEMFC: Hydrogen fuel SOFC: Bioethanol fuel
Fuel cells: Systems
• Commercial example: Combined heat and power
• http://www.osakagas.co.jp/en/rd/fuelcell/pefc/fuelcell/index.html
• Combined heat and power (µCHP)
• Stationary, small scale (~700 W)
• Using PEMFC or SOFC
ENE-FARM Type S generation unit (left) and hot-water supply &
heating unit (right)
https://global.kyocera.com/news/2012/0305_woec.html
Fuel cells
❖Electrochemical converters (chemical energy of a fuel to electricity and heat)
❖High electrical efficiencies
❖Type of fuel cell is determined by the electrolyte material:
❖Operating conditions such as temperature and fuel type
❖Commercial systems are available
Thank you!
Anke Hagen, DTU Energy
Fuel Cells: Exercise
Anke Hagen, DTU Energy
Task
❑ For the different fuel cell types:
❑ Formulate the equations for the electrode reactions at the cathode
(reduction) and at the anode (oxidation)
❑ Indicate the ion that is transported through the electrolyte and the
transport direction
Fuel cells: Materials
Low temperature High temperature
Name AFC PE(M)FC PAFC SOFC MCFC
Electrolyte Alkaline Polymer Phosphoric Ceramic (Solid Molten
acid Oxide) carbonate
Charge carrier OH- H+ H+ O2- CO32-
(through electrolyte)
T (oC) 80-220 80 200 700-900 650
Fuel H2 H2 H2 HCs/CO/H2 (H2)CO/CH4
el (%) LHV 50-60 40-45 40-45 50-70 50-60
Fuel cell type: PEMFC
• Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction) 1/2O2 + 2H+ + 2e- → H2O
Electrolyte 4H+
Anode (oxidation) 2H2 → 4H+ + 4e-
H2
Fuel cell type: PEMFC
• Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction) 1/2O2 + 2H+ + 2e- → H2O
Electrolyte 4H+
Anode (oxidation) 2H2 → 4H+ + 4e-
H2
Fuel cell type: AFC
• Alkaline fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction)
Electrolyte 2OH-
Anode (oxidation)
H2
Fuel cell type: AFC
• Alkaline fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction) 1/2O2 + H2O + 2e- → 2OH-
Electrolyte 2OH-
Anode (oxidation) H2 + 2OH- → 2H2O + 2e-
H2
Fuel cell type: SOFC
• Solid oxide fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction)
Electrolyte O2-
Anode (oxidation)
H2
Fuel cell type: SOFC
• Solid oxide fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction) 1/2O2 + 2e- → O2-
Electrolyte O2-
Anode (oxidation) H2 + O2- → H2O + 2e-
H2
Fuel cell type: MCFC
• Molten carbonate fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction)
Electrolyte CO32-
Anode (oxidation)
H2
Fuel cell type: MCFC
• Molten carbonate fuel cell
O2
Cathode (reduction) 1/2O2 + CO2 + 2e- → CO32-
Electrolyte CO32-
Anode (oxidation) H2 + CO32- → H2O + CO2 + 2e-
H2
Thank you!
Anke Hagen, DTU Energy
Fuel Cells: Self Study
Anke Hagen, DTU Energy
Task
❑ For the different fuel cell types:
❑ Find typical materials used for cathode and anode
Fuel cells: Materials
Low temperature High temperature
Name AFC PE(M)FC PAFC SOFC MCFC
Electrolyte Alkaline Polymer Phosphoric Ceramic (Solid Molten
acid Oxide) carbonate
Charge carrier OH- H+ H+ O2- CO32-
(through electrolyte)
T (oC) 80-220 80 200 700-900 650
Fuel H2 H2 H2 HCs/CO/H2 (H2)CO/CH4
el (%) LHV 50-60 40-45 40-45 50-70 50-60
Fuel cell type: AFC
• Alkaline fuel cell
AFC Material Function
Electrodes ▪ Non-noble Me (Ni) Conductivity,
catalytic activity
▪ Ag alloyed into Ni Increased catalytic
activity of cathode
Commercial example: AFC Energy 10 kW unit:
https://www.afcenergy.com/our-offering/technology-products
Fuel cell type: PEMFC
• Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
PEMFC Material Function
Electrodes ▪ High surface Support, electron
area carbon conductor
▪ Pt nano Catalytic activity
particles
Commercial example: Commercial example: Ballard 200
PowerCell 200 kW unit: kW unit:
https://powercellgroup.com https://www.ballard.com/fuel-cell-
/segments/marine/ solutions/fuel-cell-power-
products/marine-modules
Fuel cell type: PAFC
• Phosphoric acid fuel cell
PAFC Material Function
Electrodes ▪ Carbon (paper Support, electron
or cloth) conductor
▪ Pt / Pt alloys Catalytic activity
Commercial example: DOOSAN 440 kW unit:
https://www.doosanfuelcell.com/en/prod/prod-0101/
Fuel cell type: SOFC
• Solid oxide fuel cell
SOFC Material Function
▪ Perovskite (LaSrCoFe, Electron & ion Commercial example: Bloom Energy few 100 kW unit:
Cathode
LaSrCo) conductor, catalytic https://www.bloomenergy.com/applications/hydrogen
activity
-fuel-cells/
▪ Ceria Gadolinia (CGO) Ion conductor,
catalytic activity
▪ Ni Electron conductor,
Anode
catalytic activity
▪ Yttria zirconia (YSZ) Ion conductor
Commercial example: Fuel Cell Enery 250 kW unit:
https://www.fuelcellenergy.com/platform/solid-oxide-
fuel-cell-platforms
Fuel cell type: MCFC
• Molten carbonate fuel cell
MCFC Material Function
▪ Porous Ni based ▪ Electron conductor,
Cathode
alloys catalytic activity
▪ Transition ▪ Catalytic activity
metals (Co, Mn)
▪ Porous Ni based ▪ Electron conductor,
Anode
alloys catalytic activity
▪ Ni & other ▪ Catalytic activity
metals (Cr, Mg)
Commercial example: Fuel Cell Enery 2.8 MW unit:
https://www.fuelcellenergy.com/platform/fuel-cell-
power-plants
Thank you!
Anke Hagen, DTU Energy
