Fuel Cell – Type 1

Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)

What is AFC?

• The Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC) is one of the

most developed fuel cell technologies and
is the cell that flew Man to the Moon.
• AFCs consume hydrogen and pure oxygen
producing potable water, heat, and
electricity.
• They are among the most efficient fuel cells,
having the potential to reach 70%.
Working
Explanation
• The fuel cell produces power through a
redox reaction between hydrogen and
oxygen.
• At Anode, hydrogen is oxidized as below.

– This reaction produces water and releases 2

electrons.
– These electrons flow through an external
circuit and return to cathode, reducing
oxygen.
 Explanation Cont.
• At Cathode, oxygen is reduced as below.

– The oxygen molecule combines with the electron

and water and gets reduced to hydroxide ions.

• The net reaction consumes one oxygen

molecule and two hydrogen molecules in
the production of two water molecules.
Electricity and heat are formed as by-
products of this reaction.
 Complete
CompleteReaction
ReactionEquations
Equations

Anode Reaction: 2 H2 + 4 OH- => 4 H2O + 4 e-

Cathode reaction: O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e- => 4 OH-

Overall Net Reaction: 2 H2 + O2 => 2 H2O

Operating Conditions
• Alkaline fuel cells use an electrolyte that is an
aqueous (water-based) solution of potassium
hydroxide (KOH) retained in a porous stabilized
matrix and can use a variety of non-precious
metals as a catalyst at the anode and cathode.

• The concentration of KOH can be varied with the

fuel cell operating temperature, which ranges
from 65°C to 220°C (149°F to 428°F).

• However, newer AFC designs operate at lower

temperatures of roughly 23°C to 70°C (74°F to
158°F).
Operating Conditions Cont.
• The charge carrier for an AFC is the
hydroxyl ion (OH-) that migrates from the
cathode to the anode where they react with
hydrogen to produce water and electrons.

• Water formed at the anode migrates back to

the cathode to regenerate hydroxyl ions.
Advantages of AFC
• AFCs are the cheapest fuel cells to manufacture. (Reason: The
catalyst required for the electrodes can be any of a number of
different chemicals that are relatively inexpensive compared to
those required for other types of fuel cells).
• AFCs' has the highest performance among all types of fuel
cells. (Reason: The rate at which chemical reactions take place
in the cell is very fast).
• Low material costs – plastics, carbon, base metals and metal
oxides; no platinum.
• Long life span – 2000-plus hours currently.
• Superior electrochemical conversion efficiency to other fuel
cells and the internal combustion engine.
• Quick start, even in sub-freezing temperatures down to minus
40 degrees C.
• Simpler heat and water management when compared to other
fuel cell technologies.
• Like other fuel cells, it is odorless and quiet for enclosed
applications
Limitations of AFC
• AFCs are very sensitive to CO2 that may be
present in the fuel or air.

– The CO2 reacts with the electrolyte, poisoning it rapidly,

and severely degrading the fuel cell performance.
– Therefore, AFCs are limited to closed environments, such
as space and undersea vehicles, and must be run on pure
hydrogen and oxygen.
– Furthermore, molecules such as CO, H 2O and CH4, which
are harmless or even work as fuels to other fuel cells, are
poisons to an AFC.

• AFC stacks have been shown to maintain

sufficiently stable operation for more than 8,000
operating hours. To be economically viable in
large-scale utility applications, these fuel cells
need to reach operating times exceeding 40,000
hours.
Issues
• AFCs are not being considered for
automobile applications. Their sensitivity to
poisoning, which requires use of pure or
cleansed hydrogen and oxygen, is an
insurmountable obstacle at the present
time. (Note: NASA has made the decision
to shift to Proton-exchange fuel cells for the
next generation of Space Shuttles).

• Conversely, AFCs operate at relatively low

temperatures and are among the most
efficient fuel cells, characteristics that
would enable a quick starting power source
and high fuel efficiency, respectively.
Popular Applications
 Stationary – such as back up
power for communication
towers, data centers.
 Portable – such as prime or
auxiliary power for worksites,
cottages, boats.
 Transportation – such as
neighborhood electric vehicles,
golf cars, fork lift vehicles
AFC Applications Deployed
• Used by Space Program.
• Developed by NASA to power
the Gemini Missions and
Subsequent Shuttle Operations.
Picture of the AFC used in Space Shuttle
Present Applications
• Fuel Cell Taxi & Boat
http://www.infotools.hfpeurop
e.org/energyinfos__e/fuelcells/
main06.html

• Generator and Golf Car

http://www.astris.ca/PR/PR50.
php
Future Developments - ALKANLINE FUEL
CELL – TECHNOLOGY FOR THE 21st
CENTURY

• Alkaline cells, just like alkaline based batteries,

are reliable performers that can be built
inexpensively from down-to-earth materials –
carbon, plastic, base metals; they use cheap
electrolyte, start instantly and perform even in
deep subzero temperatures. They do not depend
on expensive platinum catalyst. And one of the
alkaline cell problems often quoted by their
detractors – their limited tolerance to carbon
dioxide – has been solved by engineers many
times over.
• The complete article is in a PDF format and its
uploaded in directory “MURU” under the name
“AFC-Future.PDF”.
More Pictures
More Pictures Cont.
 Activities - 1
• What is the electrolyte used in AFC?
– NaOH
– KOH
– LiOH
– Ca(OH)2
 Activities - 2
• How much operating hours should any
fuel cell posses to be economically viable in
large-scale utility applications?
– > 8000 Hours
– Between 8000 Hours & 40,000 Hours
– < 40,000 Hours
– > 40,000 Hours
 Activities - 3
• What makes AFCs cheaper to
manufacture?
– Due to inexpensive cathode.
– Due to inexpensive anode.
– Due to lesser working temperature conditions.
– Due to inexpensive electrolyte.
 Activities - 4
• Which fuel cell is being replaced for AFCs
in the next generation space shuttles?
– Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell.
– Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.
– Proton Exchange Fuel Cell.
– Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell.
Fuel Cell Resources
• http://www.rmi.org/sitepages/
pid537.php
• http://www.rmi.org/sitepages/
pid556.php
• http://www.eere.energy.gov/hy
drogenandfuelcells/fuelcells/fc
_parts.html
• http://www.kettering.edu/~altf
uel/links.htm
Resources for Pictures
• http://www.kettering.edu/~altf
uel/fcpicts.htm
• http://www.ectechnic.co.uk/pic
tures.html
•The End!