Fuel Cells

What is a fuel cell?

An electrical cell that uses a fuel and oxygen to produce electrical energy.

How does a fuel cell produce electrical energy?

By using energy from the reaction between fuel and oxygen.

What is the efficiency of energy production in a fuel cell?

Fuel cells produce electrical energy efficiently.

What does fuel cell + hydrogen and oxygen =

Nice clean water and release energy

Fuel cell structure

Left:
Electrode NEGATIVE CATHODE
OUTSIDE - Anode compartment
Middle:
Electrolyte
Right:
Electrode POSITIVE CATHODE
OUTSIDE - Cathode compartment

What are the electrodes made up of in a fuel cell?

Porous Carbon (tiny holes) + catalyst

How do fuel cells fuse hydrogen + oxygen?

1. Hydrogen enter through left inlet
2. Oxidised by anode
3. Electrons then pass around wire to cathode
4. Hydrogen atoms move through the electrolytes to the cathode
5. Electrons and hydrogen atoms can react to the oxygen that come in from the right inlet
6. All combine to make water
7. 1 Oxygen + 4 Hydrogen + 4 Electrons = 2 molecules of water

How do you get electrical energy from fuel cells?

Movement of electrons

How do fuel cells work? (EXAMS)

• Fuel enters the cell
• Becomes oxidised (hydrogen atoms lose electrons)
• Sets up potential difference across the cell
  This drives the electrons around the circuit

Pros of fuel cells

• Only requires hydrogen + oxygen
• Doesn't produce any carbon dioxide or pollutants
• Simple devices, last longer than batteries, less polluting to dispose of

Cons of fuel cells

• Hydrogen is a gas
  More space to store than fossil fuels or batteries
• Explosive when mixed with air
• Dangerous to store
• Making hydrogen fuel requires making energy