Week 2 Challenge

                  Application

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell  (PEMFC)

• Solid Electrolyte eliminating possibility of corrosion, no replishment needed due to it being solid.
• Works well at low temperature too in countries like canada and sweden.
• Quick startup time irrespective of condition.

• Expensive Catalyst(biggest cost factor in FC production)
• Sensitive to fuel impurities such as hydrogen supplied must be as pure as possible.

• <120 C
• <1-100 Kw
• 60% direct H2, 40% reformed fuel.

• Suitable for the automotive because:
• PEMFCs offer high power density, low weight and Volume.
• Operate at low temperature (around  80C) and thus quick startup time, results in less wear and tear and it increased the durability.

• High efficiency
• Can accept various fuels like methanol, ethanol, methane etc.
• Solid electrolyte

• Corrosion and breakdown of cell components at high temperatures.
• Required Significant thermal Shielding.
• Long Startup time have to wait until a decent amount of power is generated.
• Can produce CO2 if taken the fuels like ethanol, methanol, methane due to the presence of Carbon.

• 500C-1000C
• 1Kw-2Mw
• 60%

• Suitable for the stationary power generation and utility because:
• Operate at extremely high temperatures ( around 1000C) and thus slow startup. These properties already make it unsuitable for the automotive.
• Produces natural heat which can be recirculated and it used to heat homes in cold climates.
• High temperature reduces need for the catalyst and reformer for the fuels and hence reducing system cost

• Made up of various materials, allowing flexibility in minimizing cost.
• Low startup time.

• Sensitive to CO2 can poison the AFC.
• Liquid electrolyte maintenance needed to ensure it is at the right level.
• Electrolyte Conductivity is not the best

• <100C
• 1-100Kw
• 60%

• Electrical power for onboard systems in spacecrafts.

• Low cost fuel.
• Can Operate at low temperatures.
• Higher energy density than hydrigen.
• Easier to store and transport using current infrastructure due to its liquid form.

• Contains Carbon so it emits CO2
• Reaction of methanol with oxygen is much slower, so response is sluggish.
• Methanol crossover from anode to cathode easily, reducing the cell Voltage.

• 60C-90C
• <1-100W
• 40%

• Due to methanol crossover,power produced is limited. However, DMFCs Compactness allows high power density, Which can be supplied in small amounts for a long time.
• Ideal for smaller vehicles like forklifts, auxiliary systems in automobiles, consumer electronics like laptops and cameras.