FUEL CELL - An alternate energy

FUEL CELL - An alternate energy

ABSTRACT

The demand of fuel cell is ever increasing. In view of the depleting natural resources, it is essential that we explore alternative energy sources. The energy sources should be efficient, stable, clean and economical. Also the growth of the country directly depends on the energy resources. Therefore, every country is looking for alternatives for traditional energy sources, being used today. Recently in JAPAN some of the developed countries signed Kyoto protocol under which they agreed to cut the % of emission of harmful gases. Although the traditional energy sources cannot be completely replaced, fuel cells are the most promising option for petrol, diesel, coal etc. We can call the fuel cell the future face of energy.

A fuel cell works similar to a battery. A fuel cell can produce electricity as long as more fuel and oxidant is pumped through it there are numerous types of fuel cell that have been made, such as SOLID OXIDE (SOFC), DIRECT ALCOHOL (DAFC), POLYMER ELECTROLYTE (PEFC), PHOSPHORIC ACID (PACFC), MOLTEN CARBONATE (MCFC) & ALKALINE (AFC), The application of Fuel cell ranges from simple batteries, cars to electric generators.

DMFC & PEFC are the most probable for automotive sector which will out do present conventional gasoline engines & electric powered engines.

SOFC &MCFC are the most probable for medium range power plant, are more efficient than conventional small gas turbines.
In the near future with extended research work the benefits of both conventional &fuel cell can be utilized by fusing them.
The article introduces the concept of ‘fuel cell’, its working, types, application and research in India and other parts of world.

INTRODUCTION

If you want to be technical about it, a fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity. The other electrochemical device that we are all familiar with is the battery. A battery has all of its chemicals stored inside, and it converts those chemicals into electricity too. This means that a battery eventually “goes dead” and you either throw it away or recharge it. With a fuel cell, chemicals constantly flow into the cell so it never goes dead—as long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell, the electricity flows out of the cell. Most fuel cells in use today use hydrogen and oxygen as the chemicals. The fuel cell will compete with many other types of energy conversion devices, including the gas turbine in your city’s power plant, the gasoline engine in your car and the battery in your laptop. Combustion engines like the turbine and the gasoline engine burn fuels and use the pressure created by the expansion of the gases to do mechanical work. Batteries converted chemical energy back into electrical energy when needed. Fuel cells should do both tasks more efficiently. A fuel cell provides a DC (direct current) voltage that can be used to power motors, lights or any number of electrical appliances. There are several different types of fuel cells, each using a different chemistry. The type of electrolyte they use usually classifies fuel cells. Some types of fuel cells work well for use in stationary power generation plants. Others may be useful for small portable application.

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