Introduction to Energy

Technology (MEEG 141)

Lecture – V
Electro-Chemical and Electro-Mechanical Components

Nischal Chaulagain
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Kathmandu University
 Electro-Chemical Cells
• Electro-chemical Cell is a device that can generate electrical
energy from the chemical reactions occurring in it or use the
electrical energy supplied to it to facilitate chemical reactions
in it.

• These devices are capable of converting chemical energy into

electrical energy or vice versa.

• Cells capable of generation an electric current from chemical

reactions in them are Galvanic / Voltaic Cells.

• Cells which causes Chemical reactions to occur in them when

electric current is passed through them are Electrolytic Cells.
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 Battery

• Device that converts chemical energy into

electrical energy.

• Electro-chemical oxidation-reduction reaction of

active materials.

• Process involved is transfer of electrons from one

material to another through an electric circuit.

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 Types of Batteries
• Primary Battery
- Can provide only one continuous or intermittent discharge
- Chemical components of battery are irreversibly changed
while converting chemical energy to electrical energy.
- These batteries cannot be recharged.
• Secondary Battery
- Chemical components of batteries are reversibly changed.
- After discharge cycle, it can be brought back to charged state
by causing the current to flow back through the battery in
opposite direction.
- i.e. Electrodes are returned to their approximate original state

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 Electrolysis of Water – Hydrogen as Fuel
- Electrolysis of water is the process of
using electricity to decompose water
into oxygen and hydrogen gas.
- Hydrogen gas released in this way can
be used as hydrogen fuel.

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 Fuel Cells
• Device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electricity by
electrochemical reactions.

• Continuous supply of fuel from external source.

• Differs from a battery with the fact that, battery has limited amount of fuel
material.

• Fuel cells can covert chemical energy of fuel to electrical energy with efficiencies
up to 60%.

• What of the efficiency of fuel in IC engine ?

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 Working of Fuel Cell
• Fuel such as Hydrogen is fed to the anode
• Air (Oxygen) is fed to the cathode.
• Catalyst at anode separates hydrogen molecules
into protons and electrons.
• Formation of electrons at anode causes potential
difference between anode and cathode, which
causes flow of current through an external
circuit.
• Protons migrate through the electrolyte to the
cathode to unite with oxygen and returning
electrons from anode to produce water and heat.

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 Principle of Electro-Mechanical Energy
Conversion

• Systems that convert electrical energy

into mechanical energy or vice versa.

• Electrical energy to Mechanical

Motion – Electric Motor

• Mechanical Motion to Electrical

Energy - Generator
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 Principle of Electro-Mechanical Energy
Conversion

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 Principle of Electro-Mechanical Energy
Conversion

- The coupling field is the magnetic force which couples the

two systems and provides a mutual link for electro-
mechanical energy conversion

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 Principle of Electro-Mechanical Energy
Conversion

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 Principle of Electro-Mechanical Energy
Conversion
• When a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it
experiences a force that tends to move it. If the conductor is free to move in
the direction of the magnetic force, the magnetic field aids in the conversion
of electrical energy to mechanical energy.

• If an externally applied force makes the conductor move in a direction

opposite to the magnetic force, the mechanical energy is converted into
electrical energy.
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 Principle of Electro-Mechanical Energy
Conversion

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 Hydro-Electro-Mechanical System : Turbine

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 Questions ??

• How is the potential of a battery measured theoretically ?

• Why does Hydrogen gas lose electron to Platinum anode in a fuel Cell?

• Energy is Consumed to produce Hydrogen gas in electrolysis process,

and the same is used as energy source in a fuel cell. Why is it done so?

• How does Redox-Flow Cell work ?

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 Contact At
Email : nischal.chaulagain@ku.edu.np
Visit At
Block 31 C
Energy Systems Lab
Kathmandu University

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