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CH3041
FUEL CELLS
• A fuel cell is a voltaic cell to which chemical reactants are constantly
added as the reaction proceeds.
added as the reaction proceeds.
• The species
that is oxidized is a substance recognized as a fuel
: methanol,
hydrogen.
• The species that is reduced is usually O2.
• Most fuel cells
produce low voltages (< 1V) and so a
number are connected in series.
• Fuel cells convert fuel to electrical energy with high
efficiency (eg. 75% of B.E. in fuel).
• Production of electricity with a fuel cell
will generally be around 2-3
times more efficient
than using combustion/generation methods.
than using combustion/generation methods.
