scholarly journals New Perspectives on Fuel Cell Technology: A Brief Review

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norazlianie Sazali ◽  
Wan Norharyati Wan Salleh ◽  
Ahmad Shahir Jamaludin ◽  
Mohd Nizar Mhd Razali
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Storage And Conversion ◽  
Carnot Cycle ◽  
Cell Functions

Energy storage and conversion is a very important link between the steps of energy production and energy consumption. Traditional fossil fuels are a natural and unsustainable energy storage medium with limited reserves and notorious pollution problems, therefore demanding a better choice to store and utilize the green and renewable energies in the future. Energy and environmental problems require a clean and efficient way of using the fuels. Fuel cell functions to efficiently convert oxidant and chemical energy accumulated in the fuel directly into DC electric, with the by-products of heat and water. Fuel cells, which are known as effective electrochemical converters, and electricity generation technology has gained attention due to the need for clean energy, the limitation of fossil fuel resources and the capability of a fuel cell to generate electricity without involving any moving mechanical part. The fuel cell technologies that received high interest for commercialization are polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The optimum efficiency for the fuel cell is not bound by the principle of Carnot cycle compared to other traditional power machines that are generally based on thermal cycles such as gas turbines, steam turbines and internal combustion engines. However, the fuel cell applications have been restrained by the high cost needed to commercialize them. Researchers currently focus on the discovery of different materials and manufacturing methods to enhance fuel cell performance and simplify components of fuel cells. Fuel cell systems’ designs are utilized to reduce the costs of the membrane and improve cell efficiency, durability and reliability, allowing them to compete with the traditional combustion engine. In this review, we primarily analyze recent developments in fuel cells technologies and up-to-date modeling for PEMFCs, SOFCs and DMFCs.

scholarly journals Progress Towards Direct Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells (DHPFCs) as an Energy Storage Concept

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciaran J. McDonnell-Worth ◽  
Douglas R. MacFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Electrochemical Methods ◽  
Environmentally Benign ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
H2o2 Production ◽  
Reversible System

This review introduces the concept of direct H2O2 fuel cells and discusses the merits of these systems in comparison with other ‘clean-energy’ fuels. Through electrochemical methods, H2O2 fuel can be generated from environmentally benign energy sources such as wind and solar. It also produces only water and oxygen when it is utilised in a direct H2O2 fuel cell, making it a fully reversible system. The electrochemical methods for H2O2 production are discussed here as well as the recent research aimed at increasing the efficiency and power of direct H2O2 fuel cells.

scholarly journals Overview of the Green Hydrogen Applications in Marine Power Plants Onboard Ships

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader R. Ammar ◽  
Nayef F. S. H. Alshammari
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Combustion Engines

The need for renewable and green energy sources to replace fossil fuel with the incrementally rising prices is driving many researchers to work on narrowing the gap between the most scientific innovative clean energy technologies and the concepts of feasibility and cost-effective solutions. The current paper aims to introduce one aspect of Green Energy; the use of Hydrogen as fuel for marine power plants, to replace all kinds of fossil fuels which are the major responsible of harmful emissions. There are three applications for hydrogen in marine field. These applications include hydrogen internal combustion engines, hydrogen gas turbines, and fuel cells. The main problems associated with the application of hydrogen in internal combustion engines are the engine knocking; air fuel ratio and intake temperature. The research programs for the application of hydrogen in gas turbines concentrate on studying the characteristics of hydrogen combustion inside gas turbine combustors. The third application of hydrogen is fuel cells. Huge developments have been achieved in this sector over the past few years. But for the marine field only the naval vessels market used it for auxiliary power generation.

Current progress and performance improvement of Pt/C catalysts for fuel cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (46) ◽  
pp. 24284-24306
Author(s):  
Xuefeng Ren ◽  
Yiran Wang ◽  
Anmin Liu ◽  
Zhihong Zhang ◽  
Qianyuan Lv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion Efficiency ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Carnot Cycle ◽  
High Energy Conversion Efficiency ◽  
And Performance

Fuel cell is an electrochemical device, which can directly convert the chemical energy of fuel into electric energy, without heat process, not limited by Carnot cycle, high energy conversion efficiency, no noise and pollution.

scholarly journals Advances in the Applications of Graphene-Based Nanocomposites in Clean Energy Materials

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Yiqiu Xiang ◽  
Ling Xin ◽  
Jiwei Hu ◽  
Caifang Li ◽  
Jimei Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Lithium Ion Batteries ◽  
Electrode Materials ◽  
Specific Capacity ◽  
Lithium Ion ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Energy Storage And Conversion ◽  
Thermoelectric Conversion

Extensive use of fossil fuels can lead to energy depletion and serious environmental pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to solve these problems by developing clean energy. Graphene materials own the advantages of high electrocatalytic activity, high conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, strong flexibility, large specific surface area and light weight, thus giving the potential to store electric charge, ions or hydrogen. Graphene-based nanocomposites have become new research hotspots in the field of energy storage and conversion, such as in fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells and thermoelectric conversion. Graphene as a catalyst carrier of hydrogen fuel cells has been further modified to obtain higher and more uniform metal dispersion, hence improving the electrocatalyst activity. Moreover, it can complement the network of electroactive materials to buffer the change of electrode volume and prevent the breakage and aggregation of electrode materials, and graphene oxide is also used as a cheap and sustainable proton exchange membrane. In lithium-ion batteries, substituting heteroatoms for carbon atoms in graphene composite electrodes can produce defects on the graphitized surface which have a good reversible specific capacity and increased energy and power densities. In solar cells, the performance of the interface and junction is enhanced by using a few layers of graphene-based composites and more electron-hole pairs are collected; therefore, the conversion efficiency is increased. Graphene has a high Seebeck coefficient, and therefore, it is a potential thermoelectric material. In this paper, we review the latest progress in the synthesis, characterization, evaluation and properties of graphene-based composites and their practical applications in fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells and thermoelectric conversion.

Fuel Cells vs. Competing Technologies

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supramanian Srinivasan ◽  
Lakshmi Krishnan ◽  
Andrew B. Bocarsly ◽  
Kan-Lin Hsueh ◽  
Chiou-Chu Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Energy Conversion Systems ◽  
Competing Technologies

Investments of over $1 B have been made for Fuel Cell R&D over the past five decades, for space and terrestrial applications; the latter includes military, residential power and heating, transportation and remote and portable power. The types of fuel cells investigated for these applications are PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells), AFCs (alkaline fuel cells), DMFCs (direct methanol fuel cells), PAFCs (phosphoric acid fuel cells), MCFCs (molten carbon fuel cells), SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells). Cell structure, operating principles, and characteristics of each type of fuel cell is briefly compared. The performances of fuel cells vs. competing technologies are analyzed. The key issues are which of these energy conversion systems are technologically advanced and economically favorable and can meet the lifetime, reliability and safety requirements. This paper reviews fuel cells vs. competing technologies in each application category from a scientific and engineering point of view.

Assessment of the Potential of Combined Micro Gas Turbine and High Temperature Fuel Cell Systems

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Bohn ◽  
Nathalie Po¨ppe ◽  
Joachim Lepers
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Advanced Materials ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Technological Assessment

The present paper reports a detailed technological assessment of two concepts of integrated micro gas turbine and high temperature (SOFC) fuel cell systems. The first concept is the coupling of micro gas turbines and fuel cells with heat exchangers, maximising availability of each component by the option for easy stand-alone operation. The second concept considers a direct coupling of both components and a pressurised operation of the fuel cell, yielding additional efficiency augmentation. Based on state-of-the-art technology of micro gas turbines and solid oxide fuel cells, the paper analyses effects of advanced cycle parameters based on future material improvements on the performance of 300–400 kW combined micro gas turbine and fuel cell power plants. Results show a major potential for future increase of net efficiencies of such power plants utilising advanced materials yet to be developed. For small sized plants under consideration, potential net efficiencies around 70% were determined. This implies possible power-to-heat-ratios around 9.1 being a basis for efficient utilisation of this technology in decentralised CHP applications.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Nanoscale Based Electrocatalysts for Metal-Air Battery, Fuel Cell and Water-Splitting Applications: An Overview

Materials ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 458
Author(s):  
Tse-Wei Chen ◽  
Ganesan Anushya ◽  
Shen-Ming Chen ◽  
Palraj Kalimuthu ◽  
Vinitha Mariyappan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Water Splitting ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Storage Technology ◽  
Highly Efficient ◽  
Energy Storage Technology ◽  
Air Battery

Metal-air batteries and fuel cells are considered the most promising highly efficient energy storage systems because they possess long life cycles, high carbon monoxide (CO) tolerance, and low fuel crossover ability. The use of energy storage technology in the transport segment holds great promise for producing green and clean energy with lesser greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In recent years, nanoscale based electrocatalysts have shown remarkable electrocatalytic performance towards the construction of sustainable energy-related devices/applications, including fuel cells, metal-air battery and water-splitting processes. This review summarises the recent advancement in the development of nanoscale-based electrocatalysts and their energy-related electrocatalytic applications. Further, we focus on different synthetic approaches employed to fabricate the nanomaterial catalysts and also their size, shape and morphological related electrocatalytic performances. Following this, we discuss the catalytic reaction mechanism of the electrochemical energy generation process, which provides close insight to develop a more efficient catalyst. Moreover, we outline the future perspectives and challenges pertaining to the development of highly efficient nanoscale-based electrocatalysts for green energy storage technology.

scholarly journals Fuel Cells: The Next Evolution

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 581-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Lashway
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Electrical Conductance ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Pure Oxygen ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractThe articles in this issue of MRS Bulletin highlight the enormous potential of fuel cells for generating electricity using multiple fuels and crossing a wide range of applications. Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy, and as a powergeneration module, they can be viewed as a continuously operating battery.They take in air (or pure oxygen, for aerospace or undersea applications) and hydrocarbon or hydrogen fuel to produce direct current at various outputs. The electrical output can be converted and then connected to motors to generate much cleaner and more fuelefficient power than is possible from internal combustion engines, even when combined with electrical generators in today's hybrid engines. The commercialization of these fuel cell technologies is contingent upon additional advances in materials science that will suit the aggressive electrochemical environment of fuel cells (i.e., both reducing an oxidizing) and provide ionic and electrical conductance for thousands of hours of operation.

A Simplified Three-Dimensional CFD Approach for PEMFC and DMFC Design

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Hong ◽  
C. H. Cheng ◽  
K. Fei
Keyword(s):  
Transport Phenomenon ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Crossover Effect

This paper describes the fundamental theory, algorithm and computation methods to predict the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) using a simplified computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Based on the common transport phenomenon inside both fuel cells, the mass, momentum, energy and species equations were derived. Darcy laws were employed to simplify the momentum equation and also to linearize the species equation. The mathematical model was solved in various flow channel designs and some membrane electrode assembly (MEA) options. The major concern is mainly on the cathode side, in the PEMFC case, that dominates the performance deterioration due to potential loss in the flow field. In the case of DMFCs, both anode and cathode sides are simulated. The methanol crossover effect is also included. This virtual performance test bench plays an important role in the prototype fuel cell design. The computer aided design tool is proved to be useful in configuration designs. Additionally, it provides the detailed transport phenomenon inside the fuel cell stack.

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