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This presentation by Taylor Morton and Chris Irvine provides a comprehensive overview of fuel cells, focusing on two key types: Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and microbial fuel cells. PEM technology operates at 80ºC, using hydrogen and oxygen to generate water and electricity with high efficiency and minimal pollutants. In contrast, microbial fuel cells harness the biochemical processes of microorganisms to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Combined, these technologies offer viable solutions for sustainable energy production, including applications in wastewater treatment and renewable power generation.
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Fuel Cells Presented By: -Taylor Morton -Chris Irvine
Overview • Not self contained • Reactants enter cell • Products leave cell • Use combustion to produce electricity • E- transferred through external circuit Source: http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/propulsion/jet/combustion.gif
PEM(Proton Exchange Membrane) • A.K.A. Hydrogen Fuel Cell • Operating temp. = 80ºC • Requires electrocatalyst • Electrodes • Platinum based • Graphite • Sulfonated perfluroethylene
PEM continued • Anode: 2H2(g) ---> 4H+(aq) + 4e- • Cathode: O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e- ----> 2H2O(g) • Overall: 2H2(g) + O2(g) ----> 2H2O(g) • Process • 2 H2 absorbed • 2 e- from each H2 travel externally • 2H+ hydrate and migrate • O2 absorbs e- • O2- receives H+ • H20 formed Source: http://physics.nist.gov/MajResFac/NIF/Images/FuelCellBasic.gif
Efficiency • No Pollutants • Other environmental impact • How is H2 obtained? • Viability • PEM = 75% • Coal-fired = 40% • Petroleum in ICE = 25%
Microbial Fuel Cells Using microorganisms to generate energy
What it is! • Converts chemical energy to electrical energy by the catalytic reaction of microorganisms • Exact same principle as a voltaic cell, only using the respiration of bacteria to generate electricity
Mediated • Methylene Blue, thionine, or humic acid • Mediator acts as electrolyte • Facilitates e- transfer from microbial cells to the electrode • Mediator is necessary because most microbes are electrochemically inactive
It’s just science • mediator crosses the outer membrane • Accepts e- that would normally be taken up by O2 • e- laden mediator exits cell and transports e- to anode • after e- deposition, mediator returns to original oxidized state
Mediator-less: S. putrefaciens • Electrochemically active bacteria usually have cytochromes (or other redox enzyme) in their outer membranes that can transfer e- • e- are carried directly to the anode
C12H22O11 + 13H2O ---> 12CO2 + 48H+ + 48e- • The biofilm is attached to the anode • Anaerobic conditions force bacteria to respire anaerobically (duh)
Now what? • Waste Water Plants • Power stations based on plants/algae