Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are innovative electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy from fuels into electricity, heat, and water through redox reactions. They are distinguished from batteries by their requirement for a continuous supply of fuel and oxidant, enabling applications ranging from portable electronics to power generation. The chapter outlines various types of fuel cells, their operating principles, thermodynamic efficiencies, and advantages over traditional combustion engines.
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What we have learnt
- Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy with high efficiency and low emissions.
- There are several types of fuel cells, classified mainly by electrolyte type, operational temperature, and application.
- Fuel cells outperform combustion engines in terms of efficiency due to their thermodynamic processes.
Key Concepts
- -- Fuel Cell
- An electrochemical device that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy through redox reactions.
- -- Electrolyte
- A medium that conducts ions but blocks electrons, allowing an electric current to flow in a fuel cell.
- -- Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)
- A thermodynamic quantity that indicates the maximum reversible work obtainable from a cell reaction.
- -- Maximum Efficiency (ηmax)
- The theoretical efficiency of a fuel cell, determined by the ratio of Gibbs free energy change to enthalpy change.
- -- Fuel Cell Stack
- A configuration where multiple fuel cells are stacked together to increase output voltage.
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