Scientific Journal Review on PEM Fuel Cells

Edinburgh Napier UniversitySchool of Engineering and the Built Environment

Title : A Scientific Journal Reviewon PEM Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

Module : Sustainable Energy Technology

Module No : MEC 111223

Coursework No : 2

Module Leader : Tom Grassie

Submission Date : 21 November 2013

Submitted by : 40134823

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the MSc Safety and Environmental Management course

Student Number : 40134823

Edinburgh Napier UniversityJournal of Engineering Vol 1 (2013) 1-5

Scientific Journal Review of Solid Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Author 40134823

Abstract

A scientific review has been taken to discuss the production,storage, and power generation of one type of fuel cell. The reviewfurther covers its application, how energy is produced, and theenvironmental impact of the chosen fuel system in a particularsetting. With the increasing development and innovation in renewableenergy sources to reduce dependency on fossil fuels; it is becomingever more paramount and acute to look into ways to sustainablygenerate the required energy. The intermittent renewable energysources further exemplifies the need for a storage solution.Electrolysis is undoubtedly being seen as a technology that can beexplored to meet the growing energy demand for off-grid powergeneration. The application of solid polymer-exchange membraneelectrolyser systems to generate the required energy is seen as asolution for renewable energy sources.

Keywords: Proton-exchange membrane fuel cell -PEMFC, Electrochemical energy, Fuel cell system, Hydrogen energy

1. Introduction:Fuel cell technologies areincreasingly getting muchattention owing to their highefficiencies and low carbon

Scientific Journal Review PEMFC

emissions1. The globalconcerns on the depletion ofpetroleum based energyresources and climate changefurther enhances the need toexplore these technologies.The Proton-exchange membranefuel cell; sometimes referredto as Polymer-exchangemembrane generates electricityby an electrochemical reactionwithin the system without anycombustion of any gasses orfluids.

The introduction of the firstworking fuel cell invented bySir William Grove in 1843 wasbased on the same principle ofreacting oxygen and hydrogenimmersed in sulphuric acid.This could not compete withthe invention pioneered by vonSiemen because it was crudeand inefficient2. Thetechnology has since beendeveloped to represent one ofthe renewable energy sourcesused today.

1 Wang, Y et al. (2011). Applied Energy. A review of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Technology, applications, and needs on fundamental research Review Article. 88 (4), 981-1007.

2 Sopian, K.,Wan Daud, W.R.. (2006).Renewable Energy. Challenges and future developments in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. 31 (1), 719-727.

2. Fuel ProductionThe PMFC works on the premiseof utilizing electro-catalystsin chemical coupling processin the presence of solarthermal energy to activate thechemical reaction. Theelectro-catalystsdehydrogenate the chemicalaided with solar radiation thegiving off waste productsduring this process. Figure 1show a schematic of an anode,a cathode, and an electrolytewhere the fuel is supplied.The chemical reactions resultsin the processing of Hydrogenfuel at the anode whereseparation of electrons fromprotons occurs on the surfaceof the platinum-basedcatalyst.

The oxidant is supplied on thecathode. The oxidant on the


Figure 1: Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell; Source: Schiller, A. (2013)

cathode catalytically reactswith the electrolyte insertedbetween the electrodes asshown in Fig 1 of theschematic. A similar reactionoccurs at the anode where thehydrogen oxidation strips offthe electrons from thehydrogen depositing theelectrons on the cathodethrough the external circuit.The electrode on the cathodecombines protons and electronswith oxygen through theelectrolyte (membrane) toproduce pure water, expelledas a waste product. A purifiedform of oxygen can provided orextracted at the electrodedirectly from the air. ThePEMFC has a very high-energyconversion efficiency of morethan 40-50% that is higherthan a coal fired powerstation or an internalcombustion engine.

2.1 Fuel & Waste Process –Fig1①Water electrolysis reaction occurs at the anode

② Protons exchange through membrane

③ Electrons flow through the external circuit

④̄̄ Electrons recombine with protons and H2 is produced at thecathode

3. Fuel Storage

The industry has for few yearsnow recognised the versatileuses hydrogen and is beingtaken seriously to rival manyother energy types. Hydrogenenergy storage technology has beentested in simulated grid for years by theUS Department of Energy3 .

3 US Department of Energy. (2013). Hydrogen Storage. Available: http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/storage.html. Last accessed 11/11/2013.


The DOE is able to storehydrogen in large tanks orcanisters and undergroundcaverns to time-shift energyfor day and weeks, makinghydrogen a better substitutecompared to batteries. Theversatility and opportunitiesit provides to generateelectricity as the case maybe; fill fuel cells electricvehicles/buses because of theportability nature of theunits depending on usage,utilised in laboratories andcan be added to other elementsto make synthetic natural gasto be piped into existinginfrastructure. Figure 2; belowshows a mapped comparison ofalternative energy storage methods, interms of storage capacity againstdischarge times. Hydrogen offerssignificant storage potential.

Figure 2: Storage capacity of different storage systems. [CAES = compressed air energy storage, PHS = pumped hydroelectric storage, SNG = substitute natural gas], Source: Schiller, A. (2013)

Hydrogen has the capacity tobe stored as a pressurised gasusing compressors to boost thepressure of the gas producedthe electrolyte withassociated components causingissues with loss of pressurethrough pumps and otheraccessories. As a solidhydrogen metal-hydride (MH)which archives high volumetricenergy density at pressurescompatible with theelectrolyte output pressurewhich has safety advantagesover compressed gas.

3.1 Fuel cell ApplicationThe fuel cell has no movingparts therefore making it morereliable and less noisy, haslower maintenance cost.

Other notable applicationsinclude various modes oftransportation namely; thepowered buses, electricpowered bicycle, and lightweight vehicles, and poweredleisure yachts. Somestationary applicationsinclude UPS system in mobilephone systems stationary powersystem and portable computersand other communication piecesof hardware. The PEMFC havebeen designed with theprospects of integration withtraditional electrical power


plants or to supply energy ason-site power generators.

Table 1 PEMFC Specifications

PEMFC SpecificationsTemperature (˚C)

60-100

Efficiency (%) 40-50Application Vehicle &

PortableAdvantages High power

densityLow temperature

Disadvantages Intolerant to CO inImpure H₂ andexpensive

4. Power GenerationThe PEMFC is currently showinga lot of potential tointegrate the solar PV’s andwind turbines as the industrylooks to grid hook ups. Theindustry is working on theProton Onsite M-Series PEMelectrolyser to become abuilding block for multi-MWstorage systems (Schiller, A.(2013)). The 2MW is to beintegrated into 40ft (12m)(Fig:3) long shipping

Figure 3: Fuel cell system (off-grid generation), source: Wang, Y et al. (2011).

containers, capable of beingdeployed on a low-cost padwith basic water and powerutility hook-ups in the rangeof (<100 kW) to 8 MW. Thehydrogen produced usingelectrolysis can easily bestored using existingtechnologies whether underpressure or as a solid (metal-hydride MH). The versatilityof hydrogen means that it cannow and ever be placed at thecentre of a new renewableenergy infrastructuredevelopment. The renewablyproduced and stored gas can beused to in large-scale fuelcells to produce green andsustainable energy.

5. Environmental ImpactAs with any energy source withlow emissions, sustainable tosome extent should be giventhe platform to be testedbefore it can be discounted.


The technology is certainlynot new but has beentransformed by the motorindustry who have seem to bemoving at very fast rate ascompared to the rest of theindustries as they compete fora niche in the car industry.Care and notification shouldbe given to the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (SEPA) andthe Department of Energy andClimate. Change (DECC), LocalPlanning Authority (LPA’s) asthey regulate and police thelaws contained herewith. Thefuel type reviewed produceswaste products that are safeand environmentally friendly,water and hydrogen fuel usedto generate energy. If off-grid generation is to becarried out then the necessaryland laws are to be consultedto check the provisions of thelaw and any likelihood ofcontamination in any watercourses and soil owing tosetting up requirements forthe development.

6. ConclusionsThe prospects of PEMFCtechnology considering years

of testing and their currentstatus and numerous reviewsthat have been undertaken, theassumption begs to suggestthat several issue have beenidentified with the type ofenergy source. These shallrequire being resolved beforethe PEMFC can be commerciallymarketed. Resolve therequirement of expensive high-purity hydrogen. Lowefficiency of theelectrolyser-Metal-hydridefuel cell sub-systemexperienced because of highoperating temperatures; whichcan easily be resolved byrouting the PV input directlyto the load if possible andutilising the waste heat fromthe fuel cell. Health andsafety of the PEMFC andsurrounding environmentalconcerns have not beenexhausted and fully researchedwith respect to what iscurrently and traditionallyavailable to the public.

Environmental impact assessment checks to be

carried out alongside planning


7. References:Puranik, P.S.,Popar,M.A.(2001). Fuel cells-powersourceforfuture. InSitharamaRoaTLS.Subramanyam. India: Hyderabad.330-4.

Mehta, V Cooper JC. (2003). PEMfuel cell. Review and analysis of PEMfuel cell design and manufacture. 114(1), 32-53.

Wang, Y et al. (2011). AppliedEnergy. A review of polymer electrolytemembrane fuel cells: Technology, applications,and needs on fundamental research ReviewArticle. 88 (4), 981-1007.

Sopian, K.,Wan Daud, W.R..(2006). Renewable Energy. Challengesand future developments in proton exchangemembrane fuel cells. 31 (1), 719-727. US Department of Energy.(2013). Hydrogen Storage. Available:http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/storage.html. Last accessed11/11/2013.

Schiller, A. (2013). Fuel CellBulletin. Hydrogen energy storage:The Holy Grail for renewable energy gridintegration. 2013 (9), 12-15.

Srinivasan, S (2006). Fuel cells-from fundamental to applications. NewYork: Springer Science. 6-2.

Wang, Y et al. (2011). AppliedEnergy. A review of polymer electrolytemembrane fuel cells: Technology,applications, and needs on fundamentalresearch Review Article. 88 (4), 981-1007.

Wang, Y et al. (2011). A reviewof PEM fuel cells: Technology,applicationand needs on fundamentals

research. Appl Energy. 88 (1), 981-1007.


Scientific Journal Review on PEM Fuel Cells

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