G L BAJAJ INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND

MANAGEMENT
GREATER NOIDA
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

A
SEMINAR ON
“HYDROGEN FUEL CELL”

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

Mr. RAHUL SHARMA GAURAV KUMAR
(ASTT. PROFESSOR,ME) Roll No:-
1719240035
Section:-
E
 CONTENTS

• History
• Hydrogen Energy
• Fuel Cell
• Importance Of Fuel Cell Technology
• Types Of Fuel Cell
• Importance Of Hydrogen
• Hydrogen Production
• Applications
• Benefits
• Problems regarding hydrogen fuel
cell
Hydrogen Energy

Hydrogen is the simplest and the most

plentiful element in the universe.
It's always combined with other
elements.

Hydrogen is high in energy, yet an engine

that burns pure hydrogen produces almost
no pollution.

NASA has used liquid hydrogen since the

1970s to propel the space shuttle and other
rockets into orbit.
 WHAT IS A FUELCELL?

A Fuel Cell is an electrochemical device that

combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce
electricity, with water and heat as its by-product.

overall reaction: oxidation of a fuel b y

oxygen
2H2(g) + O2(g)  2H2O(l)
(Hydrogen) Fuel + oxygen  water
 WHY IS FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
IMPORTANT?

Since conversion of the fuel to energy takes place via

an electrochemical process, not combustion.

It is a clean, quiet and highly efficient process- two

to three times more efficient than fuel burning.
 How does a Fuel Cell work?

It operates similarly to a battery, but it does not

run down nor does it require recharging
As long as fuel is supplied, a Fuel Cell will produce
both energy and heat
A Fuel Cell consists of two catalyst coated electrodes
surrounding an electrolyte

One electrode is an anode and the other is a cathode

The process begins when Hydrogen molecules enter

the anode
The catalyst coating separates hydrogen’s negatively
charged electrons from the positively charged protons
 The electrolyte allows the protons to pass through to
the cathode, but not the electrons

 Instead the electrons are directed through an

external circuit which creates electrical current

While the electrons pass through the external circuit,

oxygen molecules pass through the cathode
There the oxygen and the protons combine with the
electrons after they have passed through the external
circuit
 Regenerative Fuel Cells

Currently researched by NASA

This type of fuel cell involves a closed loop form of
power generation
Uses solar energy to separate water into hydrogen and
oxygen

 Hydrogen and oxygen are fed into the fuel cell

generating electricity, heat and water
The water by product is then recirculated back to the
solar-powered electrolyser beginning the process again
 IMPORTANCE OF HYDROGEN

Fuel Cells require highly purified

hydrogen as a fuel
Researchers are developing a wide range
of technologies to produce hydrogen
economically from a variety of resources in
environmentally friendly ways
 Hydrogen Production

The biggest challenge regarding hydrogen production is

the cost

There are three general categories of Hydrogen

production
 Thermal Processes
 Electrolyte Processes
Photolytic Processes
 Fuel Cell Technology Be Used

 Transportation
 Stationary Power Stations
 Telecommunications
 Micro Power
 Benefits Of Fuel Cell Technology

Physical Security
 Reliability
 Efficiency
 Environmental Benefits
 Battery Replacement/Alternative
 Military Applications
 Hydrogen - Today

Production Storage

Use

Steam Reforming Cryogenic Liquid

of Petroleum
Space Programme
 Hydrogen - Tomorrow
Storage
Production

Use

Bio-mass & Innovative Tank

Electrolysis Designs

Fuel for FUEL CELLS

 Hydrogen Production For Future

Solar powered
Electrolysis

Photo- Algal Production

electrochemical
 Uses of hydrogen fuel cells
There are many different uses of fuel cells being utilized right now. Some of these
uses are…
•Power sources for vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses and even boats and submarines

•Power sources for spacecraft, remote weather stations and military technology

•Batteries for electronics such as laptops and smart phones

•Sources for uninterruptable power supplies.

 Problems regarding hydrogen fuel cells
•Lack of hydrogen infrastructure

•Need for refueling stations

•Lack of consumer distribution system

•Cost of hydrogen fuel cells

•2009 Department of Energy estimated $61/kw

•Honda FCX Clarity costs about half a million dollars to make

•Carbon cost of producing hydrogen

•Problems with HFC cars

•Short range (~260 miles)

•Warm up time (~5 minutes)

 References
•http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml

•http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/fuel-cell.htm

•http://www.energy.gov

•Chemical Principles, Sixth Edition, Zumdahl