Abstract
Fuel cells, like primary dry cells and secondary batteries or accumulators, convert the energy of a chemical reaction directly into low voltage, d.c. electricity. All three devices contain three essential components, two electrodes — a cathode or positive electrode, an anode, which functions as the negative electrode — and an electrolyte. On discharge, that is, when the external circuit is closed, ionic chemical reactions take place at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. The cathode is reduced and the anode or ‘fuel’ electrode is oxidised. As a result of these combined reduction-oxidation or ‘redox’ reactions, electrons are transferred from one electrode to another. In engineering parlance an electric current flows in the external circuit from the positive to the negative electrode.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
H A Liebhafsky and E J Cairns. Fuel Cells and fuel batteries. (Wiley, 1968 ).
M Barak. Developments in energy conversion devices; batteries and fuel cells. Proc. IEE, 1965, 112 (7), 1439–1448.
V S Bagotski and Yu B Vasil’ev. Fuel cells. (authorised translation by Consultants Bureau, New York, 1966 ).
W Vielstich. Brennstoffelemente. Verlag Chemie GmbH, Weinheim/Bergstr. 1965.
M Bonnemay, C Bernard, G Bronoel, D Doniat, E Levart, G Peslerbe and A A Pilla. Étude experimentale des electrodes poreuses. Chapter 1.7, pp103–126; Les piles à combustible. Editions Technip, Paris, 1965.
H Huber and R Le Bihan. Electrodes a porosité ordonnée pour piles à gaz à basse temperature. Chapter 11.1, pp193–216; Les piles à combustible. Editions Technip, Paris, 1965.
F T Bacon. Fuel cells, Ed by G J Young, Vol 1, Chapter 5, p51, Reinhold, New York, 1960.
E W Justi and A W Winsel. Cold combustion fuel cells. Franz Steiner Verlag GmbH, Wiesbaden, 1962.
K Kordesch. Proc. 19th Annual Power Sources Conf., p17; publ. by Power Sources Committee, Red Bank, NJ, USA, 1965.
M Barak, M I Gillibrand and J Gray. Characteristics of oxygen electrodes. J. Electrochem. Soc., 108, p164c, 1961.
K R Williams and D P Gregory. Brit. Patent 874283 (1961).
Fuel cell electrodes; data sheet, issued by Cyanamid International, USA, May 1965.
K R Williams (Ed). An introduction to fuel cells. p307, Elsevier Publ. Co, London, 1966.
K R Williams. Hydrocarbon and methanol low temperature fuel cell systems. Paper in Power Sources 2, D H Collind (Ed), pp521–529; Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1968.
M I Gillibrand and G R Lomax. The hydrazine fuel cell. Paper in Batteries, D H Collins (Ed) pp221–223, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1963.
A I Harrison and G R Lomax. Application and costs of electrical energy sources. Paper in Power Sources 1966, D H Collins (Ed) pp 577–591; Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1967.
B S Baker, D Fleming and L G Marianowski. Recent developments in gas industry fuel cell technology. Paper presented at Amer. Gas Assocn. Conf. 6–8 June 1966.
G H J Broers. Fuel cells; Chem. Eng. Progress Tech. Manual, p90; Amer. Institute of Chem. Engrs. 1963.
C Deportes, J Besson and G Vitter. Problèmes soulevés par le fonctionnement de batteries de piles à combustible à oxyde electrolyte solide. Proc. de deuxièmes journees internationales d’Etude des piles à combustible pp411–423; publ. by S.E.R.A.L, Brussels, 1967.
O Lindstrom. Fuel cell for traction purposes. Electr. Review. 12 Aug 1966.
M Jacquelin and M Pompon. A 5-kW hydrogen/air fuel battery with an alkaline electrolyte. Paper presented at 7th International Power Sources Symposium, Brighton, England, 15–17 Sep 1970, pp 13.
B Warszawski Pile de 2kW de haute compacité. Proc. de deuxièmes journees internationales d’etude des piles A combustible, pp108–117; publ. by S.E.R.A.I., Brussels, 1967.
H G Plust. Brown-Boveri Review. 1966, 53, (1–2), p5.
Article in Science Journal 1970, p23.
M I Gillibrand, J Gray and F Twentyman. Fuel battery for underwater operation. Paper presented at 7th International Power Sources Symposium, Brighton, England, 15–17 Sep 1970, pp 11.
Editor information
Copyright information
© 1971 Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Barak, M. (1971). Fuel Cells. In: Bell, P.C. (eds) Industrial Fuels. Mechanical Engineering Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-01173-5_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-01173-5_14
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-01175-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-01173-5
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)