20-04-2012, 02:42 PM
Fuel Cell Technology
fuelcell.ppt (Size: 4.3 MB / Downloads: 296)
A Very Brief History
Considered a curiosity in the 1800’s. The first fuel cell was built in 1839 by Sir William Grove, a lawyer and gentleman scientist. Serious interest in the fuel cell as a practical generator did not begin until the 1960's, when the U.S. space program chose fuel cells over riskier nuclear power and more expensive solar energy. Fuel cells furnished power for the Gemini and Apollo spacecraft, and still provide electricity and water for the space shuttle.(1)
Fuel Cell Basics
Other gases in the fuel and air inputs (such as N2 and CO2) may be present, but as they are not involved in the electrochemical reaction, they do not need to be considered in the energy calculations.
Current Initiatives
Residential Power Units
There are few residential fuel cell power units on the market but many designs are undergoing testing and should be available within the next few years. The major technical difficulty in producing residential fuel cells is that they must be safe to install in a home, and be easily maintained by the average homeowner.