PEM Fuel Cell

Hydrogen based fuel cell is a renewable energy source that generates electricity by the passage of a proton emitted from a Hydrogen molecule through a specially designed membrane that only permits the H+ ions to pass through. Hydrogen gas is supplied by the electrolysis of water through an

Project Title

PEM Fuel Cell

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

Hydrogen based fuel cell is a renewable energy source that generates electricity by the passage of a proton emitted from a Hydrogen molecule through a specially designed membrane that only permits the H+ ions to pass through. Hydrogen gas is supplied by the electrolysis of water through an air-tight duct. 

A 5 to 7.5 Watt output is aimed out of this Fuel cell. A simple resistive load is applied.   

Project Objectives

The following are the objectives this project aims at:

1. To test and develop a new and alternative  renewable energy source.
2. To be able to make a portable power supply.
3. To increase the efficiency of PEM Fuel Cell and manufacture it at a local level.
4. To replace bulky batteries with light weight cells that would help in increasing the mileage of Electric Vehicles. efficiency efficiency efficiency

Project Implementation Method

This project is divided into the following phases:

1. Initial research and study.
2. Testing of Electrolysis process and amount of Hydrogen capture through different methods.
3. Assembling the components of a fuel cell e.g. terminal plates, gasket, membrane, etc.
4. Studying the effect of each component on the overall power/voltage.
5. Testing the fuel cell at different gas pressures. 
6. Aim at increasing efficiency by the electrochemical processes happening in the core of fuel cell.

Benefits of the Project

The following are the benefits of this project:

1. Renewable energy source;
2. Longer power outputs compared with conventional batteries;
3. The fuel for this source (i.e. water) is abundant in nature;
4. Environmental friendly.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The project could be divided into two parts: (1) Electrolysis Chamber and (2) Fuel cell chamber.

Electrical current is supplying the energy needed to break the bonds between the water molecules and hydrogen and oxygen gases are produced at different electrodes. The hydrogen gas is transmitted to fuel cell chamber through an air-tight duct and hits the Cell's plate normally. 

The second chamber, fuel cell chamber, consists of different plates sandwiched one on to the other; bipolar plates, current collector plates, terminal plates, Proton Exchange Membrane and the gasket and a layer of catalyst ink. All these layer are adhered on one another by chemical processes.

When a hydrogen gas molecule is hit on the first plate, it loses its only electron on the electrode. The H+ ion (proton) is the only ion that is permitted through the Membrane. The electron left in the first electrode, flows through the outer circuit due to potential difference and is picked up by Oxygen molecule at the next electrode, making it negative ion (with one extra electron). The O- and 2H+ ions recombine at the receiving end electrode and water is produced as the by-product. The pem fuel cell stack consists of 5 cells with dimension given below

MEA Active Area: 3.2 x 3.2cm (10cm²)
MEA Membrane Area: 5.3 x 5.3cm
Graphite Plate Overall Dimensions (L x W x D): 6.3 x 6.3 x 0.4 cm

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Others

Core Technology

Clean Tech

Other Technologies

Others

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy

Required Resources

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