Fuel Cell Structure and Principle of Operation

Fuel Cell Structure and Principle of Operation – Spray Nozzle for Fuel Cell – Cheersonic

A fuel cell consists of two electrodes and an electrolyte layer; the electrolyte is placed between the two electrodes, one an anode and the other a cathode. The fuel is suppliedto the anode, at which a reaction to oxidize the fuel takes place. At the same time, anoxidizing agent is supplied to the cathode, and a reaction to reduce the oxidizing agentoccurs. When lead wires from the two electrodes are connected to an external load toform a load circuit, charged particles move within the electrolyte, and a current can bedrawn from the cell. This principle of fuel cell operation is in fact exactly the same asthat of dry batteries and other primary (non-rechargeable) batteries of the kind we alluse on a daily basis.

However, in a dry battery the reactants are stored within the battery, and its lifetime is reached when these reactants are consumed. In a fuel cell, incontrast, reactants are supplied externally, so that in principle, power can be generatedcontinuously for as long as there is a supply of reactants

The charge carriers within the electrolyte in fuel cells are either positive or negativeions, with different directions of motion to each other. For example, in fuel cells using acidic electrolytes such as phosphoric acid fuel cells, hydrogen ions move from theanode to the cathode side, where reactions with oxygen occur to generate water. On the other hand, in molten-carbonate fuel cells using an alkalineelectrolyte, carbonate ions move from cathode to anode, at which they reactwith hydrogen to produce water.

Hence, the water produced by the electrode reactions is discharged from different electrodes depending on the type of ion,and this affects the design of the power generation system. Also, note that the cellstructure and materials used in fuel cells will also differ depending on such otherconditions as the operating temperature and pressure and the fuel used The phenomenon that occurs in the course of electric power generation in fuel cells is called an electrochemical reaction. Perhaps, a quite familiar example of electrochemicalreactions is the electrolysis of water, where hydrogen and oxygen are produced by passing electricity between electrodes immersed in aqueous (or water) solution aselectrolyte.

Fuel cells are often described as devices that perform the reverse of this electrolysis reaction. That is, by supplying hydrogen to the anode and oxygen to thecathode of a fuel cell, electricity is generated, and water is produced as the reaction product.In conventional electric-power generation, typically using fossil fuel fired thermal power plants, the chemical energy of fuel is first converted into heat by combustion in a boiler. This generated heat is used to produce pressurized steam, which in turn drives aturbine generator, to convert the fluid dynamic power into mechanical power,eventually producing electricity. In contrast with the conventional steam turbinegenerators, the electrochemical method of electric power production is thus referred toas “direct” electricity generation, that is not subject to the Carnot cycle efficiency whichlimits the maximum efficiency of heat engines. This implies that it is thermodynamically possible for fuel cells to extract all of the Gibbs free energy of fuel,converting in actual work. However, it is presumed that fuels will be usedthat enable electrode reactions under practical conditions. Hydrogen is the one mostsuitable for many fuel cells. It is important to note that, when using hydrocarbons as a primary fuel for the fuel cell power generation system, the fuel must be converted intohydrogen-enriched fuel gas by means of chemical reactions such as steam reformingreactions.

Cheersonic’s fuel cell catalyst coating systems are uniquely suited for these challenging applications by creating highly uniform, repeatable, and durable coatings. Using the company’s patented ultrasonic spray head technology, it can spray uniformly and efficiently on proton exchange membranes and gas diffusion layers. Uniform catalyst coatings are deposited onto PEM fuel cells, GDLs, electrodes, various electrolyte membranes, and solid oxide fuel cells with suspensions containing carbon black inks, PTFE binder, ceramic slurries, platinum and other precious metals. Other metal alloys, including Platinum, Nickel, Ir, and Ru-based fuel cell catalyst coatings of metal oxide suspensions can be sprayed using ultrasonics for manufacturing PEM fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, DMFCs (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) and SOFCs (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells) to create maximum load and high cell efficiency.

The advantages of ultrasonic spraying include：
1.Highly controllable spray that produces reliable, consistent results.
2.Ultra-low flow rate capabilities, intermittent or continuous.
3.Ultrasonic vibrations continuously break up agglomerated particles and keep them evenly dispersed; maximizing platinum utilization.
4.Corrosion-resistant titanium and stainless steel construction
5.The self-cleaning function of the ultrasonic nozzle prevents clogging.
6.The platform takes up less space.
7.80% reduction in paint consumption
8.The particle diameter is optional which can more flexibly affect the through-hole property of the coating