Fuel Cells for Teachers

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Introduction to Fuel Cells Introduction to Fuel Cells 

Background, Applications,Background, Applications,Operations and Challenges Operations and Challenges 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

NexTech Materials, Ltd.NexTech Materials, Ltd. Founded in 1994 by current CEO and CTOFounded in 1994 by current CEO and CTO

40 employees, 100% management 40 employees, 100% management--owned owned 

Provider of fuel cell materials and components, catalysts and Provider of fuel cell materials and components, catalysts and sensors, and R&D services sensors, and R&D services 

56,000 sq.ft. facility fully equipped with R&D to small scale 56,000 sq.ft. facility fully equipped with R&D to small scale manufacturingmanufacturing

Product available on www.fuelcellmaterials.comProduct available on www.fuelcellmaterials.com

True belief that we can make the world a better place True belief that we can make the world a better place 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

How We Power Our World How We Power Our World 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

What is a Fuel Cell? What is a Fuel Cell? 

Electrical (and heat) power generator Electrical (and heat) power generator 

 Continuous battery Continuous battery

Runs as long as fuel and air (oxidant) are supplied Runs as long as fuel and air (oxidant) are supplied 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Brief History of Fuel Cells Brief History of Fuel Cells  1839 Sir William Grove 1839 Sir William Grove   credited with first credited with first 

electrochemical H electrochemical H 22 /O /O22 reaction to create energyreaction to create energy

1950s Thomas Bacon 1950s Thomas Bacon   fuel cell stackfuel cell stack

1950s 1950s--now now   fuel cells in space program (alkaline)fuel cells in space program (alkaline)

1960s other fuel cells discovered 1960s other fuel cells discovered   phosphoric acid,phosphoric acid,SOFC, molten carbonate, PEMFC SOFC, molten carbonate, PEMFC 

1970s 1970s   first stationary power applications first stationary power applications 

1990s 1990s--now now   transportation and other applications transportation and other applications under development under development 

20062006   commercial sales for communications backupcommercial sales for communications backuppower systems power systems 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Fuel Cells with Hydrocarbon Fuels

Steam andGas Turbines

 D i e s e l

  E l e c t

 r i c

 Ga so l i ne  E le

c t r ic

Fuel Cells with Hydrogen Fuel70

60

10

20

30

40

50

0

   E   f   f   i  c   i  e  n  c  y   (  p  e  r

  c  e  n   t   L   H   V   )

10 100 1000 10K 100K  1

Power Output (kW)

Fuel Cells with Hydrocarbon Fuels

Steam andGas Turbines

 D i e s e l

  E l e c t

 r i c

 Ga so l i ne  E le

c t r ic

Fuel Cells with Hydrogen Fuel70

60

10

20

30

40

50

0

   E   f   f   i  c   i  e  n  c  y   (  p  e  r

  c  e  n   t   L   H   V   )

70

60

10

20

30

40

50

0

70

60

10

20

30

40

50

0

   E   f   f   i  c   i  e  n  c  y   (  p  e  r

  c  e  n   t   L   H   V   )

10 100 1000 10K 100K  1

Power Output (kW)

10 100 1000 10K 100K  1 10 100 1000 10K 100K  1

Power Output (kW)

Benefits: Efficiency, Power, EnergyBenefits: Efficiency, Power, Energy

1 W 100 W 1 kW 10 kW 100 kW 1MW 10 MW 100 MW 1 GW  10 W 

Portable

Electronics

Computers

Light Bulbs

Hair Dryer 

 Apartments

Stove

 Auxiliary Power 

Units, Houses

Hotels, Cars

Trucks

Nuclear 

Power Plant 

Wind Power 

Ships, Airplanes

Coal-fired 

Power Plant 

3 days 

Mission Duration 

Batteries  Portable Fuel Cell System

10 days 

3 hours 

0.06 kg of fuel 

0.75 kg of fuel 

1.6 kg of fuel 

1 Kg

9 Kg

30 Kg

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Gas TurbineGas Turbine

Generator SetGenerator Set 641,465 Gallons

$628,636

Fuel CellFuel Cell

Generator SetGenerator Set214,315 Gallons

$210,028

= 50,000 gallons; ($.98/gallon)

DieselDiesel

Generator SetGenerator Set 321,703 Gallons

$315,268

Efficiency = Fuel Saved Efficiency = Fuel Saved 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

 Additional Benefits  Additional Benefits  Reduced pollution (NOx, SOx, CO)Reduced pollution (NOx, SOx, CO)

   Lower operating temperature and pressure, greater Lower operating temperature and pressure, greater efficiency, sulfur removal efficiency, sulfur removal 

Reduced noise Reduced noise    Fewer moving parts Fewer moving parts 

Diverse applications Diverse applications    From battery replacement to power plants From battery replacement to power plants 

Potential benefits Potential benefits    Higher reliabilityHigher reliability   fewer moving parts fewer moving parts 

   Higher energy density than batteries for longer run times at Higher energy density than batteries for longer run times at similar sizes similar sizes 

   Distributed generation reducing stress on the grid Distributed generation reducing stress on the grid    Power qualityPower quality

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Fuel Cell Types Fuel Cell Types 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Stacks Stacks 

Each fuel cell layer Each fuel cell layer operates at 0.3operates at 0.3--0.9V0.9V

Power is increased Power is increased two ways two ways 

   Increase voltage byIncrease voltage bystacking (like batteries)stacking (like batteries)

   Increase current byIncrease current byincreasing active areaincreasing active area

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Complete Complete SystemSystem

Four main Four main 

components components    StackStack

   Fuel processor Fuel processor 

   Power electronics Power electronics 

   Balance of plant Balance of plant 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Polarization (I Polarization (I--V) Curve  V) Curve 

This is the fundamental fuel cell performance measurement

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Major Challenges Major Challenges  LongevityLongevity

   55--50 years desired 50 years desired    Heat Heat--up and cyclingup and cycling   Use of real (impure) fuels Use of real (impure) fuels 

Power densityPower density   Too big (volume) and Too big (volume) and 

too heavytoo heavy

Cost Cost    Low volume production Low volume production    Expensive materials Expensive materials 

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Fuel Cells Overview 

Information Resources Information Resources 

US Fuel Cell Council: www.usfcc.comUS Fuel Cell Council: www.usfcc.com

Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition:Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition:www.fuelcellsohio.comwww.fuelcellsohio.com

Fuel Cell Today: www.fuelcelltoday.comFuel Cell Today: www.fuelcelltoday.com

Fuel Cells 2000: www.fuelcells.orgFuel Cells 2000: www.fuelcells.org