Fuel Cells Principles and Applications

Efficient, clean, safe, and reliable, fuel cells qualify as an ideal delivery mechanism of clean energy. Fuel Cells: Principles and Applications provides a snapshot of recent trends and breakthroughs in this rapidly progressing field. The author clarifies the scientific concepts underlying fuel cell applications and examines the proactive efforts of several firms to produce and commercialize fuel cell systems. Offering unique insight on future directions, this comprehensive and interdisciplinary reference is ideal for scientists, engineers, and anyone interested in alternative technologies for meeting energy demands.

Contents Introduction Fuel Cells-Relevance and Importance Historical Highlights What are Fuel Cells? Fuel Cells: How do they differ from batteries? Fuel Choice Classification of Fuel Cells Outlook Electrochemistry Basis Thermodynamic Aspects of Electrochemical Energy Conversion Theoretical Efficiency for Conversion of Liberated Heat in a Chemical Reaction into Mechanical Energy Efficiency of Electrochemical Energy Conversion Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Electrochemical Energy Conversion Electrode Kinetics of Electrochemical Energy Conversion   Alkaline Fuel Cells Description of the Alkaline Fuel Cell Working Principle Components of an Alkaline Fuel Cell Modules Fuel Cell Stacks General Performance Characteristics Attempts Towards Advancements System Issues Ammonia as AFC Fuel Summary Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells The Science Underlying the Technology Electrodes: Materials and Manufacturing Stacks and Systems Solid Oxide Fuel Cells History of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Benefits and Limitations Cell Components Cathode Materials Anode Materials Interconnects Fuel Configurations and Performance Environmental Impact of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Applications and Future of SOFCs Perception Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells General Principle Cell Components Mechanisms of Electrode Reactions Status of MCFCs Concluding Remarks Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Milestones in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology The Noble Metal Issue The Catalysis Aspect Electro-oxidation of Methanol The Electrolyte Non-catalytic Aspects State-of-the-art of Methanol Crossover in DMFC Catalyst Optimization and Scale-up Engineering Aspects Conclusion Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Fundamental Scientific Aspects Scientific Challenges Technology Development Fuel Processing Modelling Studies of PEMFC Performance Milestones in Technology Development and Applications Approaches and Technical Challenges to High Temperature Operation Technological and Economic Challenges, and 21st Century Perspectives Outlook Fuel Processing Processing Hydrogen from Alcohols Producing Hydrogen from Hydrocarbons Hydrogen from Other Sources Gas Clean-up Hydrogen Storage Challenges and Opportunities for Research in Fuel Processing Conclusion Hydrogen Storage Hydrogen Production Some Relevant Properties Hydrogen as an Engine Fuel Methods of Hydrogen Storage Prediction of Hydrogen Uptake in Carbon Materials Critical Analysis of the Reported Results

Viswanathan\, B.; Scibioh\, M. Aulice