Why fuel cells for renewable energy? Fuels cells are renewable when operating on biogas like the methane generated by the wastewater treatment process. Fuel cells have the capacity to achieve up to 90 percent efficiency when byproduct heat from the fuel cell electrical generation process is used.

A typical fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode of a fuel cell and oxygen through the cathode. At the anode site, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons.

Fuel cells work like batteries, but they do not run down or need recharging. They produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode)—sandwiched around an electrolyte.

The benefits of fuel cells are:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• High Reliability.
• Flexibility in installation and operation.
• Development of renewable energy resources.
• Reduced demand for foreign oil.
• Improved environmental quality.

Types of Fuel Cells

• Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.
• Direct methanol fuel cells.
• Alkaline fuel cells.
• Phosphoric acid fuel cells.
• Molten carbonate fuel cells.
• Solid oxide fuel cells.
• Reversible fuel cells.

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

William Robert Grove

Geoffrey Edwin Hall Ballard

The first known use of fuel was the combustion of wood or sticks by Homo erectus nearly two million years ago. Throughout most of human history only fuels derived from plants or animal fat were used by humans. Charcoal, a wood derivative, has been used since at least 6,000 BCE for melting metals.

At present, five fuel-cell types are potentially appropriate for fuel-cell rail, including (1) solid oxide (SOFC), (2) molten carbonate (MCFC), (3) phosphoric acid (PAFC), (4) proton exchange membrane (PEMFC), and (5) alkaline (AFC).

The two prime dangers from fuel cell and hydrogen-powered vehicles are the danger of electrical shock and the flammability of the fuel. Fuel cells power vehicles by electro-chemically combining hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen (O2) from the surrounding air into water (H20) and electrical energy.

The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In a PEM fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode).

Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen reacts with oxygen across an electrochemical cell similar to that of a battery to produce electricity, water, and small amounts of heat. Many different types of fuel cells are available for a wide range of applications.

Hydrogen is a very useful element. It is used to make ammonia for fertilizers, refining metals, and methanol for making artificial material like plastics. Hydrogen is also used as a rocket fuel where liquid hydrogen is combined with liquid oxygen to produce a powerful explosion.

– Hydrogen is found in sugar, proteins, starch and fats which are important part of human diet. – Hydrogen is an important component of water. Because of water, cells of the body remains hydrated and help in removing toxins from the body.

After ten minutes it will already have virtually the entire hydrogen charge. If you are going to drink it right away, then ten minutes will suffice. If you are going to drink it later on, then we recommend you hydrogenate it for 20 to 30 minutes, since it will keep its properties for longer.