Week 2 Challenge
1. Compare four different types of fuel cells and state their applications.
There are four types of fuel cells shown below.
Types of Fuel Cells
- Polymer Electrolyte Membrance Fuel Cell (PEM)
- Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC)
- Direct Methonol Fule Cell (DMFC)
- Solid Oxide Fuel cell (SOFC)
| Parameters |
Polymer Electrolyte Membrance Fuel Cell (PEM) |
Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC) |
Direct Methonol Fule Cell (DMFC) |
Solid Oxide Fuel cell (SOFC) |
| Power (KW) | 0.01 - 250 | 0.1 - 50 | 0.001 - 100 | 0.5 - 2000 |
| Efficiency | 40% - 55% | 55% - 70% | 40% | 40% - 72% |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | 60 -110 | 70 -130 | 70 -130 | 500 - 1000 |
| Type of Electrolyte | proton-conducting polymer membrane | aqueous Potassium Hydroxide | Nafion | Ceramic electrolyte |
| Fuel | Hydrogen | Hydrogen | Methonol | Hydrogen |
| Byproducts | Water and heat | water | water and CO2 | water |
| Reactions |
At anode:
At cathode:
Overall reaction :
|
At anode:
At cathode:
Overall reaction:
|
At anode:
At cathode:
Overall reaction:
|
At anode:
At cathod:
Overall reaction:
|
Applications:
Polymer Electrolyte Membrance Fuel Cell (PEM)
- Portable
- Mobile
- Low power generation
Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC)
- Mobile
- Space
- Military
Direct Methonol Fule Cell (DMFC)
- Mobile
- Portable
Solid Oxide Fuel cell (SOFC)
- Vehicle Auxilary power supply unit
- Medium to large scale power generation and CHP
- Off-grid power and micro-CHP
2. Using a plot with energy density and power density on the X and Y axis, arrange various battery types like lithium ion, lead acid, Nickel Cadmium, Ultracapacitor, fuel cell.
Below Graph is the basic Energy density and Power density of differnt types of energy storage devices like Capacitors,Batteries (Li-ion, Led acid, Nickel cadmium etc) and Fuel cells.
In Energy density
Super capacitors < Batteries < Fuel cells
Super capacitors are having the Lowest Energy dencity and Fuel cell having the Highest Energy density and Batteries are in between the Super capaciters and Fuel cells
In Power dencity
Super capaciters > Batteries > Fuel cells
Super capacitors are having the Highest Power dencity and Fuel cell having the Lowest Power density and Batteries are in between the Super capaciters and Fuel cells
Comparing only Batteries:
Energy Density
Lead-acid < Nickel Cadmium < Lithium ion
Lead- acid has the lowest energy density and Lithum ions has the Highest Energy dencity and the Nickel Cadmium is in between the Lead acid and Lithium ion
Power Density
Lead-acid < Nickel Cadmium < Lithium ion
Lead- acid has the Lowest Power density and Lithum ions has the Highest Power dencity and the Nickel Cadmium is in between the Lead acid and Lithium ion