23° Fue cenis Introduction: We know that voltaic cells involve oxidation-reduction reaction. A workable (EF forces the electrons that leave the substance being oxidized through an external conductor Before they are received by the oxdiring agent, Wealso know that all ordinary combustion reactions ih, {0X reactions, However, when a fuel is bumed, the electron exchange takes place only when is atoms of the oxidizing agent (oxygen or ar) come in diect contact with the atoms ofthe Substance being oxidized (the fue, The energy is released principally as heat. fuel cll, converts the chemical energy of the fuels directly to electicity. The essential process in a fuel cells Fuel + oxygen > oxidation products + electricity. One of the simplest and most successful fuels is hydrogen-oxygen fuel Gell. It consists tially of an electrolytic solution such ai'25% KOH solution and two inert porous electrodes. drogen and oxygen gases ae bubbled through the aiode and cathode compartment respectively the following reactions takes place: __ Anode: 2H,,, + 40H, —} 41,0), + 4e- Cathode: O,, + 21,0, +4 =} 401K, | Net reaction: 2H, 4 0,,,—2H1,0,, | The standard emt of the eel : be © B= E+ B= 083V + 040V =1.23 In actual practice, the emf of cell is 0.8 to 1.0V. It may be noted thatthe only product Aharged by the cell is water, Usalyalarge number of thes els ve tacked together in series ‘a battery called fuel cell battery or fuel battery. © scanned with OKEN Scanner6 nd + tate 5 ‘ober Po ann Loan ‘. ‘inna Fowl maoon 5 fT = ota ono) ‘ig.618 Hydrogen oxygen fuel elt ‘may be pointed that the electrodes must meet sringen requirements. They () Be good conductors, (ii) Be good electron-sources or sinks, and “ (i) Not be consumed or deteriorated by the electrolyte heat or elect rsetons, Morepver, they must be excellent catalysts for the reactions that take place on thet ‘When hydrogen is used as the fuel, the electrodes are nade of either graphite finely divided platinum or 75/25 alloy of palladiat fuel cells probably lies in the development of inexpensive electrode that is powerful the electrode reactions. Electrolytes that are used mostly are aqueous KOH or H,SO, orion-exchange resin npreg dissolved Application: Hydrogen-oxygett fuel cells are used as auxiliary: enengy sources vehicle (like Apollo space craft) sub-marines or other military vehicles. The weight 0 battery sufficient for 15 days in space is approx several fones that would have been required for an engine cells, the product water was proved 00 be « valuable souree of fresh water bythe astro fuel cells: In addition to the HO, system, « umber of ether fuel cells have developed these are: id ammonia is employed. © scanned with OKEN Scanner