Fuel cell designs, basic principle

While there are many different fuel cell designs, the basic principle is similar (Figure 1.1). The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell currently is preferred for use in vehicles because of its low operating... 

At present, most of the work toward building methanol fuel cells relies on technical and design principles, developed previously for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. In both kinds of fuel cells, it is common to use platinum-ruthenium catalysts at the anode and a catalyst of pure platinum at the cathode. In the direct methanol fuel cells, the membrane commonly used is of the same type as in the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells. The basic differences between these versions are discussed in Section 19.7. 

The section on basic principles contains background information on fuel cells, including fundamental principles such as electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics of fuel cell reactions as well as mass and heat transfer in fuel cells. The section on design explores important characteristics associated with various fuel cell components, electrodes, electrocatalysts, and electrolytes, while the section on analysis examines phenomena characterization and modeling both at the component and system levels. 

Practical fuel cell systems are very complex to design and build—especially small, rugged ones for cars, trucks, and buses, which must stand up to bumps and to temperature variations. (This is one reason why it took so long to put the first prototypes on the road.) But the basic principle of how a fuel cell works is fairly straightforward. 

Shah and Besser presented results from their development work that was aimed at a 20-Wd methanol fuel processor/fuel cell system [436]. The principle layout of the device consisted of a methanol steam reformer, preferential oxidation, a catalytic afterburner and an evaporator The basic process and design parameters are summarised in Table 9.3. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the size of the steam reformer exceeded by far the size of all other components. The weight hourly space... 

Fuel Cells Principles, Design, and Analysis considers the latest advances in fuel cell system development and deployment and was written with engineering and science students in mind. This book provides readers with the fundamentals of fuel cell operation and design and incorporates techniques and methods designed to analyze different fuel cell systems. It builds on three main themes basic principles, analysis, and design. 

Fuel Cells Principles, Design, and Analysis presents the basic principles, examples, and models essential in the design and optimization of fuel cell systems. Based on more than ten years of the authors teaching experience, this text is an ideal resource for junior- to senior-level undergraduate students and for graduate students pursuing advanced fuel cell research and study. 

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