What is the electrolyte in the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell?
The electrolyte in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is typically a proton exchange membrane (PEM) made of a solid polymer material that allows protons to pass through while preventing the mixing of the hydrogen and oxygen gases. This membrane plays a critical role in separating the two gases and facilitating the transfer of protons during the electrochemical reaction that produces electricity.
What materials are required for a hydrogen fuel cell?
Hydrogen fuel cells require a few key materials, including a proton exchange membrane, catalysts (often platinum), hydrogen fuel, oxygen from the air, and appropriate electrical connections. These materials work together to facilitate a chemical reaction that generates electricity.
What are the reactants in fuel cell?
The reactants in a fuel cell are typically hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is usually supplied as a fuel source to the anode, while oxygen is supplied to the cathode.
How is the performance of a fuel cell measured?
The performance of a fuel cell is typically measured using metrics such as power output, efficiency, and durability. Power output is a measure of the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell, efficiency is a measure of how effectively it converts fuel into electricity, and durability measures how long the fuel cell can operate reliably. These metrics help evaluate the overall performance and effectiveness of the fuel cell technology.
How volatile is a hydrogen fuel cell?
Hydrogen fuel cells can be considered somewhat volatile in certain situations, as they can potentially release hydrogen gas if the system is damaged or compromised. However, with appropriate safety measures in place, such as proper storage and handling procedures, the risk of volatility can be significantly reduced. Additionally, advancements in fuel cell technology continue to improve safety features and overall reliability.
What is principle and working of bio fuel cell?
A biofuel cell is a type of fuel cell that generates electricity using enzymes or microorganisms to catalyze the conversion of chemical energy in organic compounds directly into electrical energy. The principle involves the utilization of biological catalysts to drive the electrochemical reactions, typically using glucose, ethanol, or other organic materials as fuel sources. This process involves oxidation of the fuel at the anode and reduction of an oxidant at the cathode, leading to the production of electricity.
Working principle of h2-o2 fuel cell?
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells used in automobiles-also called Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells-use hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity. The diagram to the right shows how a PEM fuel cell works.
Most fuel cells designed for use in vehicles produce less than 1.16 volts of electricity-far from enough to power a vehicle. Therefore, multiple cells must be assembled into a fuel cell stack. The potential power generated by a fuel cell stack depends on the number and size of the individual fuel cells that comprise the stack and the surface area of the PEM.
How do you put hydrogen in a fuel cell?
Hydrogen is typically stored in a compressed or liquid form and then fed into a fuel cell. The hydrogen reacts with the electrolyte in the fuel cell to produce electricity, water, and heat. The process is efficient and does not produce harmful emissions.
What is the main difference between a fuel cell and a voltaic cell?
A fuel cell generates electricity from a chemical reaction between a fuel source and an oxidizing agent, without requiring any recharging. A voltaic cell is a device that generates electricity from a spontaneous chemical reaction between two different metals or materials, which eventually stops producing electricity as the reactants are consumed.
What metals are used in a hydrogen fuel cell?
Hydrogen fuel cells typically use platinum and palladium as catalysts to facilitate the electrochemical reactions that generate electricity. These metals play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of the fuel cell by promoting the splitting of hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons.
What chemical activity that takes place inside a hydrogen fuel cell?
In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen gas is split into protons and electrons at the anode. The protons travel through an electrolyte, while the electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electricity. At the cathode, the protons and electrons combine with oxygen from the air to produce water as a byproduct.
What is the chemical formula of a by-product of the reaction in a fuel cell?
One common by-product in a fuel cell is water. The chemical formula for water is H2O.
Why don't they fill the fuel cells with lead shot?
Filling fuel cells with lead shot would not be practical as the purpose of fuel cells is to convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Lead shot would not provide a suitable chemical reaction to generate electricity efficiently. Additionally, lead is a toxic material and using it in fuel cells could raise environmental and health concerns.
In a fuel cell, the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen occurs electrochemically, producing electricity as a byproduct. This process is more efficient and produces less waste compared to direct combustion of hydrogen and oxygen, which releases energy in the form of heat without generating electricity. Fuel cells offer a cleaner and more controlled way to harness energy from hydrogen compared to combustion.
Is a fuel cell a secondary cell?
No, a fuel cell is not considered a secondary cell. Fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction involving a fuel source and an oxidizing agent, without the need for recharging like secondary cells, such as batteries.
How does hydrogen fuel cell differ from electrochemical cell?
A hydrogen fuel cell is a type of electrochemical cell that produces electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen to generate power. The key difference is that in a hydrogen fuel cell, the reactants (hydrogen and oxygen) are continuously supplied externally to sustain the electricity generation process, while in a typical electrochemical cell, the reactants are contained within the cell and eventually get depleted.
What is the by-product of a fuel cell?
The by-product of a fuel cell is typically water vapor. This is because fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing electricity, heat, and water as a result.
What problems are there with microbial fuel cells?
Some challenges with microbial fuel cells include low power output, slow reaction rates, and high production costs. Additionally, maintaining a stable microbial community within the fuel cell can be difficult, leading to fluctuations in performance and efficiency.
How does a fuel cell convert chemical energy to electrical energy?
A fuel cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell consists of an anode (negative terminal) and a cathode (positive terminal) separated by an electrolyte. Fuel (such as hydrogen) is fed to the anode and oxygen is fed to the cathode. At the anode, hydrogen is split into protons and electrons. The protons move through the electrolyte to the cathode, while the electrons flow through an external circuit, creating an electric current. At the cathode, the protons and electrons combine with oxygen to form water, releasing energy in the process.
Why don't the electrodes of a fuel cell deteriorate the way the electrodes of a battery do?
The electrodes of a storage battery, particularly the lead - lead dioxide batteries commonly used in starting vehicles, may deteriorate because the discharge reaction requires one or both of the solid electrodes used to dissolve partially in the electrolyte, and the recharging reaction requires depositing new solid on both electrodes from the electrolyte. In order to maximize the possible output of electric current from a battery during the discharge or working phase, the electrodes have special surface characteristics that maximize their effective surface area. Both the charging and discharging phases of use of a battery of this type often decrease the effective surface area of the solid electrodes, and the recharging in particular may deposit solid on one or both of the electrodes in a shape that causes it to short to the other electrode.
This does not occur in fuel cells, because the solid electrodes of a fuel cell do not dissolve during use. Instead, the electrodes serve (1) as catalysts to promote the oxidation and reduction reactions of fuels supplied to the electrodes as liquids or gases dissolved in the electrolyte and (2) to accept or furnish the electrons needed for the reactions to occur at separate locations. Furthermore fuel cells never need recharging, because the reactants consumed are replenished from outside the fuel cell itself and not regenerated within the cell, as for a storage battery.
Uranium is the most energetic material available today.
Why electron move from anode to cathode in microbial fuel cell?
Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode in a microbial fuel cell as a result of the electrochemical reactions occurring at the electrodes. During the oxidation of organic matter at the anode, electrons are released and travel through an external circuit to the cathode, where reduction reactions occur. This electron flow generates a current that can be harnessed for electricity production.
Use of phosphate buffer in microbial fuel cell?
Phosphate buffer is commonly used in microbial fuel cells to help maintain a stable pH level within the system, as it acts as a buffer solution and resists pH changes. This is important for ensuring optimal microbial activity and performance of the fuel cell. Additionally, phosphate can serve as a nutrient source for the microbes in the system, promoting their growth and metabolic activity.
Is anode a negative electrode of hydrogen - oxygen fuel cell?
No, the anode is the positive electrode in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. At the anode, hydrogen gas is oxidized to produce protons and electrons. The electrons flow through an external circuit to the cathode, where they combine with oxygen and the protons to form water.