Coursecode: wb4425

Coursename: Fuel Cell Systems

ECTS creditpoints: 2

Faculty of  Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology

Lecturer(s): Woudstra, ir. N.

Tel.:  015-278 21 78

Catalog data: Electrochemical power production, open circuit voltage and reversible voltage, efficiencies, fuel cell irreversibilities, activation losses, tafel equation, ohmic losses, concentration losses, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), stack design, system layout, external and internal reforming.

Course year:

MSc 1st year

Period:

no lectures, self study

Hours per week:

-

Other hours:

-

Assessment:

oral

Assessm.period:

-

(see academic calendar)

Prerequisites: wb1126, wb1224, wb4304, wb4302

Follow up:

Detailed description of topics:

Electrochemical power production, open circuit voltage, efficiency and fuel cell voltage, the effect of pressure and gas concentration, the Nernst equation, fuel and oxidant utilization.

Fuel cell irreversibilities, activation losses, tafel equation, fuel crossover and internal currents, ohmic losses, concentration losses.

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC): electrodes and electrode structure, water management, cell cooling and air supply, considerations with regard to system design.

High temperature fuel cells, fuel reforming, fuel utilization, bottoming cycles, the use of exergy and pinch technology.

Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC): molten carbonate electrolyte, cell components, stack configuration, internal reforming, performance and system layout.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC): cell components, cell design and stack arrangement, performance and system layout.

Course material:

Fuel Cell Systems Explained. James Larminie, Andrew Dicks, John Wiley & Sons, LTD, 1999, ISBN 0-471-49026-1

References from literature:

·         Fuel Cell Handbook, Department of Energy, EG&G Services Parsons Inc.

·         Fuel Cell Systems, Edited by L.J.M.J. Blomen and M.N. Mugerwa, Plenum Press, ISBN 0-306-44158-6

·         Electrochemical Reactors, Their Science and Technology, Part A. Edited by M.I. Ismail. Elsevier, ISBN 0-444-87139-X\

Remarks assesment, entry requirements, etc.):

Learning goals:

The student must be able to:

1. describe the main processes taking place in the various types of fuel cells as well as the layout of various fuel cells and fuel cell stacks

2. explain the various parameters used to indicate the performance of fuel cells and fuel cell systems

3. dtermine the cell voltage of a reversible hydrogen fuel cell and explain the effect of the main irreversibility's on the performance of an irreversible fuel cell

4. dscribe the specific processes and effects that are determining the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), to describe the components and usually applied materials of the cell and the design of a PEMFC stack

5. describe the components and usually applied materials of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC) and MCFC stacks and systems, and to indicate the effect of various design options on system performance

6. describe the components and usually applied materials of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) and SOFC stacks and systems and to indicate the effect of various design options on system performance

7. list and describe the various processes for the conversion of fossil fuels into hydrogen for low temperature as well as high temperature fuel cell systems and to explain how various design options for the balance of plant will affect the performance of fuel cell systems

Computer use:

Laboratory project(s):

Design content: design and optimization of fuel cell stacks and system lay-out

Percentage of design:  50 %