Call Us Today! 508.747.

0300

DISTRIBUTORS RESOURCES  NEWS & BLOG

RE Q UE S T A Q UO TE

The Different Types of Fuel

Cells
The world has been looking for
sustainable energy sources for decades.
Thanks to excessive fossil fuel extraction
and consumption, the global energy crisis
is not a far-off concept. Besides, an
increasingly alarming amount of pollution
is also ever-present. However, amidst all
the doom and gloom, technologies such
as Fuel Cells preserve the glimmer of
hope.

Fuel Cells are among the potential

sources of energy that can help tackle the
upcoming energy crisis, powering the
future world. They use electrochemical
reactions to convert the chemical energy
of the fuel into electricity. They are similar
to batteries in operation; however, the fuel
cell can replenish the chemical reactants
when running low. Different Types of Fuel
Cells include;

Direct Methanol (DMFC)

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
(PEMFC)
Phosphoric Acid (PAFC)
Alkaline (AFC)
Solid Oxide (SOFC)
Molten Carbonate (MCFC)
Reversible (RFC)

The type of electrolyte utilized, its

operating Temperature, and potential
usability describe and classify a fuel cell.
Most of the researches regarding fuel cells
usually focus on automotive services.
However, scientists are also studying it for
space expeditions nowadays. So let’s dive
deeper and nd out more about different
fuel cell types.

Different Types of Fuel Cells:

Comparison
An overview is always the quickest way to
compare the key aspects and come to a
decisive conclusion. So before getting into
the details, let’s nd out what makes each
of the fuel cells unique.

DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS

Most fuel cells get energized with
hydrogen that may be fed straight into
the fuel cell system or produced by the
improved hydrogen-rich fuels such as
ethanol, methanol, and hydrocarbon fuels
inside the fuel cell system. However,
DMFCs require genuine methanol,
generally combined with water and
supplied straight to the fuel cell’s anode.

Unlike some fuel cell systems, DMFCs

have fewer complications regarding the
fuel storehouse since the energy density of
methanol is signi cantly greater than
hydrogen. However, it’s lower than diesel
and gasoline. Since it’s a uid, like
gasoline, the transportation and supply of
methanol to the people is also simple with
the present infrastructure. Usually,
portable operations like laptops and
cellphones can utilize DMFCs for power
supplies.

POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE

FUEL CELLS
PEMFCs are also known as proton
exchange membranes. PEM fuel cells
function at moderate temperatures, about
80°C. Low-temperature functions permit
them to kick-start quickly (little time to
warm up), leading to reduced wear and
greater longevity of the system
components. However, it’s necessary to
isolate hydrogen electrons and protons by
employing the noble-metal catalytic
(usually platinum), increasing the system
expense.

The platinum catalyst is also very

susceptible to carbon-monoxides to
poisoning, which makes extra reactors
essential. Because when a hydrocarbon
fuel produces hydrogen, it’s needed to
decrease the carbon monoxide in the fuel
gas. This reactor employs additional
expenses too.

It delivers high power and little volume

and weight bene ts in comparison to
other fuel cells. PEM fuel cells apply
porous carbon electrodes with platinum or
platinum admixtures and a rigid polymer
as electrolytes, requiring only hydrogen,
oxygen, and water to function. Usually,
pure hydrogen from storehouses and
reformers power PEMFCs.

PEM fuel cells get mainly utilized for

transportation and certain stationary
appliances. They are especially utilizable in
automotive operations, such as buses, cars,
and heavy-duty trucks.

PHOSPHORIC ACID FUEL CELLS

PAFCs apply uid phosphoric acid as an
electrolyte. A silicon carbide matrix of
Te on-bonded materials includes the acid
and porous carbon electrodes of the
platinum catalyst.

PAFC is one of the rst generation’s fuel

cells. It’s also one of the most developed
cell types and is used economically as the
rst fuel cell. Typical use of such fuel cells is
for the production of stationary power.
However, some PAFCs power up large
vehicles, for example, city buses.

PAFCs are more resistant to pollutants in

hydrogen-reformed fossil fuels than PEM
cells that are readily contaminated by
carbon monoxide since carbon monoxide.
CO typically attaches to the anode
platinum catalyst, which reduces the
performance of the fuel cell. The PAFCs for
co-generating heat and electricity is more
than 85% effective. However, they are less
effective in producing electricity on their
own (37% – 42%).

PAFC ef ciency is slightly higher than the

energy plants based on combustion,
which usually functions at approximately
33 percent capability. In addition,
considering the similar volume and
weight, PAFCs are less substantial than
conventional fuel cells. This process usually
results in extensive and hefty fuel cells.
PAFCs are costly as well. They demand far
larger loads of expensive platinum
catalysts than other variants, signi cantly
increasing the expenditure.

ALKALINE FUEL CELLS

AFCs were among the earliest
technologies developed for using electrical
energy and water on-board spaceships
and were the rst kind extensively utilized
in the US space industry. Potassium
Hydroxide exists as a solvent in such fuel
cells, applying a range of non-valuable
metals as a catalyst in anode and cathode.
Novel AFCs have also been invented in
recent times, using a polymer membrane
for the electrolyte.

These fuel cells are strongly connected to

standard PEM fuel cells but are not acidic.
They employ an alkaline layer. AFCs are
highly powerful because of the pace at
which electrochemical components
interact in the cell. Their ef ciency in space
operations also exceeded 60 percent.

A signi cant drawback for this fuel cell is

its susceptibility to Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
contamination. Even the little
concentration of CO2, owing to carbonate
production, can profoundly impact cell
quality and longevity. The recirculation
mode permits the regenerative effects of
carbonate production in electrolytes to be
reduced by alkaline cells with liquid
electrolytes. However, the recirculation
mode obstructs the shunt current ow.

Further issues, including weatherability,

enhanced oxidation, and differential
pressure management, are also present in
the uid electrolyte setups. These are the
problems addressed by the AMFCs
(Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells) and are
less susceptible to CO2 intoxication than
by liquid electrolyte AFCs. The ef ciency
and endurance of AMFCs are nonetheless
still hampered by CO2 than PEMFC’s.

AMFCs are now evaluated for W to kW

scale implementations. The issues
obstructing AMFC involve carbon
sensitivity, conductivity, and longevity of
the membrane, increased Temperature,
water management, electricity density,
and electro catalysis of the anodes.

SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS

SOFCs contain electrolytes with a solid,
non-porous ceramic material. At fuel
conversion, SOFCs are about 60 percent
effective. The cumulative fuel
consumption rates can reach up to 85
percent in systems that collect and utilize
wasted heat (co-generation) for the
process.

SOFCs can function at very high temps –

up to 1,000°C (1830°F). Extreme thermal
processes also eliminate the requirement
for precious metal catalysts, thus
decreasing costs. It also enables SOFCs to
internally convert fuels, permitting a more
comprehensive range of fuel usage and
eliminating the need for a system
converter.

SOFCs are the best type of sulfur-resistant

fuel cell and may endure higher
magnitudes of sulfur than most other fuel
cells. Furthermore, it utilizes carbon
monoxide as fuel. This characteristic
makes it possible for SOFCs to use coal-
based natural gas and biogas.

However, operations of high temperatures

also have inconveniences. The
consequence is a sluggish starting and
requiring extensive thermal protection to
maintain heat and defend system
components. Furthermore, it’s suitable for
utilities but not for transportation. The
excessive working temps also impose
signi cant demands on materials for
endurance. The creation of very durable,
low-cost materials at cell operation
conditions is a major technological
challenge.

Scientists are now exploring the possibility

of producing low heat SOFCs at less than
700°C, with fewer durability issues and
better cost-ef ciency. Nevertheless, SOFCs
at relatively low temperatures do not
equal the power of high-thermal systems.
Stack materials are also under research to
work in this low-temperature region.

MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS

MCFCs are under development for
electrical, economic, and defense usage.
They’re also being assessed for energy
resources and coal-based power stations.
Like SOFCs, MCFCs are fuel cells that can
operate at high temperatures, using
electrolytes of a molten carbonate salt
combination oating from a porous
ceramic lithium aluminum oxide matrix
with chemically inert materials. Non-
precious metals may be employed as
reactors in the electrochemical cell at high
temperatures of 650° C (around 1.200° F),
lowering expenses.

Another aspect of why MCFCs offer

signi cant cost-ef ciency compared to
PAFCs is enhanced performance. When
connected with a turbine, MCFCs may
achieve ef ciencies of around 65%, far
greater than the PAFCs plant’s 37%–42%
ef ciency. The total fuel ef ciency of heat
losses collected and utilized is over 85%.

Furthermore, MCFCs don’t need other

reformers to convert natural gas and
biogas into hydrogen. Methane and other
hydrocarbon gases convert to hydrogen
due to extreme temps while MCFCs
operate through an internal steam
reforming system that simultaneously
decreases expense.

The main inconvenience of modern MCFC

is endurance. The extreme heat at which
these cells work gets accelerated by using
corrosive electrolytes, reducing cell
longevity. Scientists are now exploring the
resistance to corrosion in parts and the
creation of fuel cell systems that last
double the present 40,000 hours (about
ve years) and have no reduction in
performance.

REVERSIBLE FUEL CELLS

Reversible fuel cells create hydrogen and
oxygen energy and produce water and
heat as byproducts, the same as
conventional fuel cells. Nevertheless,
reversible petrol engine processes may
also divide water, making oxygen and
hydrogen fuel via electrolysis using solar
energy, wind energy, or other resources.

Reversible fuel cells also supply electricity

when required. They can also store the
extra energy as hydrogen from other
processes in times of high power output
(for as when strong winds result in a
surplus of wind energy). This capacity for
power storage might be an essential
factor for unpredictable technology in
renewables.

Conclusion
To conclude, Fuel Cells utilize more
innovative and energy-ef cient methods.
Compared to typical ‘fuel to energy’
processes, they’re renewable and more
eco-friendly. By overcoming the
drawbacks & further developing different
types of Fuel Cells for dedicated sectors,
it’s possible to walk towards a lasting
solution for the looming energy crisis.

Electrolyte
Cell Name Electrolyte Anode Fuel
Type

Methanol
Direct
+ ·
Methanol Methanol Liquid
Deionized Meth
(DMFC)
Water

Polymer
Electrolyte Polymer ·
Solid Platinum
Membrane Membrane Hydro
(PEMFC)

·
Phosphoric Hydro
Phosphoric
Acid Liquid Platinum
Acid ·
(PAFC)
Meth

·
Potassium Hydro
Alkaline Platinum
Hydroxide Liquid
(AFC) or Carbon ·
(KOH)
Amm

· Natu
Gas
Yttria-
·
Solid Oxide Stabilized Steel or
Solid Meth
(SOFC) Zirconia Nickel
(YSZ) · Coa

· BioG

· Natu
Gas

Molten ·
Molten
Carbonate Solid Ceramic Meth
Carbonate
(MCFC)
· Coa

· BioG

Sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Subscribe

CONTACT US

 45 Aldrin Road
Plymouth, MA 02360 USA
 508.747.0300
 [email protected]
 [email protected]
 [email protected]
 Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM EST

SOLUTIONS

EMI/RFI Shielding

Flex & Rigid-Flex Circuits

Innovation Center

Markets

Precision Etch & Form

QUICK LINKS

Contact Us

Distributors

Manufacturer’s Reps

News

Interactive Shielding Catalog

Transparency in Coverage: Machine-Readable

Files

© 2024. Tech Etch, Inc. All rights reserved. | Powered by TheRiot

Agency | Data Security Breach
This website uses cookies
    OK 
and third party services.