Fuel Cells

Prepared by:
Mr. Asad Abbas
Lecturer Chemistry Department
University of engineering and technology,
Lahore.
 Fuel Cells
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. A fuel
cell converts the chemical hydrogen and oxygen into water and in
the process it produces electricity. Fuel cells differs from the
conventional cells in the respect that active material (fuel and
oxygen) are contained within the cell but are supplied from outside.
It is much like a battery that can be recharged while you are drawing
power from it. It provides a DC voltage that can be used to power
motors, lights and any number of electrical appliances.
A fuel cell generates electricity by a chemical reaction. Every fuel
cell has two electrodes one positive and one negative respectively
called anode and cathode.

Working of Fuel Cells

A single fuel cell consists of an electrolyte (KOH) and two

graphite electrodes impregnated with Pt, which acts as a catalyst.
At anode oxidation of hydrogen takes place and its combines with
OH- ions to give water. Electrode reactions are shown below.
At Anode:
2H2  4H+ + 4e-
At Cathode:
O2 + 4H+ +4e-  2H2O
Overall Reaction:
2H2 + O2  2H2O
 Advantages of Fuel Cells
• High efficiency of energy conversion
(approaching 70%) from chemical energy into
electrical energy.
• Low noise and thermal pollution
• Fuel cells are less polluting because it does not
produces the polluting exhaust. Mostly, the by
products are water and waste heat.
• Hydrogen- oxygen fuel cells produces drinking
water of potable quality.
• Fuel cells are used as primary and backup
power for commercial, industrial and
residential buildings.
• They are used to power fuel cells
vehicles, including automobiles, aero
planes, boats and submarines

Disadvantages of Fuel Cells

• High initial cost

• Life time of the cells not accurately
known
• High cost of pure hydrogen
• Large weight and volume of gas fuel
storage