1. INTRODUCTION TO FUEL CELLS TECHNOLOGY
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

2. Fuel Cell Technology Goals of this track
Introduce Basics of fuel cell technology
Anatomy and Physiology of a Fuel Cell
What Fuel Cells are?
Fuel Cell vs Internal Combustion Engines
Fuels for Fuel Cells
Introduce Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Utilization of biogas for electricity production
Efficiency of power production systems
Some Fuel Cell Applications
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

3. Fuel Cell “Anatomy” Anode – electrode at which oxidation takes place
Cathode – the electrode at which reduction takes place
Electrolyte – non- metallic electrical conductor in which stack current is carried by the movement of ions
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

4. Fuels’ Chemical Energy
What Fuel Cells are?
Fuel Cells are electrochemical devices that directly convert chemical energy of a fuel to electricity
THERMAL ENGINES
Heat
Mechanical Energy
Conventional Path
Fuels’ Chemical Energy
Electrical Energy
Alternative Path
FUEL CELLS
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

5. Fuel Cell vs Battery
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6. More precisely…
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7. More precisely!
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8. Fuel Cell’s “Physiology”
The Electrolyte is sandwiched between Fuel and Oxidant electrodes
Typically, the Fuel is hydrogen
The Oxidant is typically oxygen supplied as air.
Fuel is oxidized at the “anode electrode” releasing electrons to the anode
Electrons move to the “cathode electrode” via an external circuit.
These electrons reduce the oxygen at the cathode.
The charged ions (positively or negatively charged) move across the ion conducting electrolyte member
The circuit is completed!!!
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

9. Fuel Cell Types
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10. What’s Going on Inside
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

11. Independence from fossil fuels
Why Fuel Cells ?
No moving parts
Independence from fossil fuels
Quiet
CO2 reduction
High efficiencies
Low or zero emissions
Simple to manufacture
High quality power
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

12. Fuels for Fuel Cells FUELS OF CHOICE NATURAL GAS PROCESS METHANE
COAL GAS
METHANOL
ETHANOL
BIOGAS
OTHER
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

13. Biogas Production
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

14. Biogas Utilization in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Electricity Production
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

15. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

16. Fuel Cells (FC) comparison with Internal Combustion System (IEC)
Low emissions (CO2 & H2O, depending on the fuel)
Low operation cost
Fuel flexible
High efficiency (~40%), combined with electromotor efficiency ~80% 
Overall Efficiency >45%
Energy lost as flue gases heat
Emissions (NOx, SΟx, hydrocarbons, particles, etc)
Efficiency ca %
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

17. Fuel Cell Power Plant vs. the “Internal Combustion Engine”
Source: Scientific American
Hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine: TWICE efficient with ZERO Emissions
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

18. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) vs Conventional Power Production Systems
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

19. Fuel Cell efficiency – comparison with Conventional Systems
In co-generation systems the overall efficiency that can be achieved is significantly higher than the one of conventional systems.
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

20. Applications
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21. Applications

22. Estimated Fuel Cell Cost
Kuniaki Honda, Activities toward Commercialization of Fuel Cell/Hydrogen Technology in Japan, 2006
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

23. Marketing
2000
2009
50$/kW at 2025
Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory (LAECS)

24. TUBULAR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL
Alternative Energy Conversion System Laboratory (LAECS)

25. Apollo Fuel Cells Over 10,000 hours of operation in 18 missions
1.5 kW Apollo Alkaline
Fuel Cell power plant
Three Fuel Cells operated in parallel
Alternative Energy Conversion System Laboratory (LAECS)