PEM fuel cells : theory and practice

Demand for fuel cell technology is growing rapidly. Fuel cells are being commercialized to provide power to buildings like hospitals and schools, to replace batteries in portable electronic devices, and as replacements for internal combustion engines in vehicles. PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells are lighter, smaller, and more efficient than other types of fuel cell. As a result, over 80% of fuel cells being produced today are PEM cells.

This new edition of Dr. Barbir's groundbreaking book still lays the groundwork for engineers, technicians and students better than any other resource, covering fundamentals of design, electrochemistry, heat and mass transport, as well as providing the context of system design and applications. Yet it now also provides invaluable information on the latest advances in modeling, diagnostics, materials, and components, along with an updated chapter on the evolving applications areas wherein PEM cells are being deployed.

Foreword	p. ix
Preface and acknowledgments	p. xi
Preface to the Second Edition	p. xv
1 Introduction	p. 1
1.1 What Is a Fuel Cell?	p. 1
1.2 A Very Brief History of Fuel Cells	p. 4
1.3 Types of Fuel Cells	p. 8
1.4 How Does a PEM Fuel Cell Work?	p. 10
1.5 Why Do We Need Fuel Cells?	p. 12
1.6 Fuel Cell Applications	p. 13
References	p. 16
2 Fuel Cell Basic Chemistry and Thermodynamics	p. 17
2.1 Basic Reactions	p. 17
2.2 Heat of Reaction	p. 17
2.3 Higher and Lower Heating Value of Hydrogen	p. 18
2.4 Theoretical Electrical Work	p. 19
2.5 Theoretical Fuel Cell Potential	p. 20
2.6 Effect of Temperature	p. 21
2.7 Theoretical Fuel Cell Efficiency	p. 24
2.8 Carnot Efficiency Myth	p. 26
2.9 Effect of Pressure	p. 28
2.10 Summary	p. 29
Problems	p. 30
Quiz	p. 31
References	p. 32
3 Fuel Cell Electrochemistry	p. 33
3.1 Electrode Kinetics	p. 33
3.2 Voltage Losses	p. 39
3.3 Cell Potential: Polarization Curve	p. 48
3.4 Distribution of Potential Across a Fuel Cell	p. 50
3.5 Sensitivity of Parameters in Polarization Curve	p. 52
3.6 Fuel Cell Efficiency	p. 59
3.7 Implications and Use of Fuel Cell Polarization Curve	p. 61
Solution	p. 65
Solution	p. 66
Solution	p. 67
Problems	p. 69
Quiz	p. 70
References	p. 72
4 Main Cell Components, Material Properties, and Processes	p. 73
4.1 Cell Description	p. 73
4.2 Membrane	p. 75
Solution	p. 90
4.3 Electrodes	p. 92
4.4 Gas Diffusion Layer	p. 97
4.5 Bipolar Plates	p. 104
Problems	p. 112
Quiz	p. 113
References	p. 115
5 Fuel Cell Operating Conditions	p. 119
5.1 Operating Pressure	p. 119
5.2 Operating Temperature	p. 121
5.3 Reactant Flow Rates	p. 124
5.4 Reactant Humidity	p. 130
5.5 Fuel Cell Mass Balance	p. 144
5.6 Fuel Cell Energy Balance	p. 149
Problems	p. 154
Quiz	p. 155
References	p. 157
6 Stack Design	p. 159
6.1 Sizing a Fuel Cell Stack	p. 159
6.2 Stack Configuration	p. 163
6.3 Uniform Distribution of Reactants to Each Cell	p. 167
6.4 Uniform Distribution of Reactants Inside Each Cell	p. 172
Solution	p. 187
6.5 Heat Removal from a Fuel Cell Stack	p. 189
Solution	p. 194
Solution	p. 199
6.6 Stack Clamping	p. 208
Problems	p. 211
Quiz	p. 212
References	p. 213
7 Fuel Cell Modeling	p. 217
7.1 Theory and Governing Equations	p. 218
7.2 Modeling Domains	p. 228
7.3 Modeling Examples	p. 231
7.4 Conclusions	p. 259
Problems	p. 259
Quiz	p. 260
References	p. 261
8 Fuel Cell Diagnostics	p. 265
8.1 Electrochemical Techniques	p. 266
8.2 Physical and Chemical Methods	p. 282
8.3 Conclusions	p. 295
Problems	p. 297
Quiz	p. 297
References	p. 299
9 Fuel Cell System Design	p. 305
9.1 Hydrogen/Oxygen Systems	p. 305
9.2 Hydrogen/Air Systems	p. 314
Solution	p. 317
Solution	p. 318
9.3 Fuel Cell Systems with Fuel Processors	p. 333
9.4 Electrical Subsystem	p. 358
9.5 System Efficiency	p. 364
Problems	p. 368
Quiz	p. 369
References	p. 371
10 Fuel Cell Applications	p. 373
10.1 Transportation Applications	p. 373
10.2 Stationary Power	p. 392
10.3 Backup Power	p. 414
10.4 Fuel Cells for Small Portable Power	p. 419
10.5 Regenerative Fuel Cells and Their Applications	p. 422
Problems	p. 429
Quiz	p. 431
References	p. 432
11 Durability of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells	p. 435
11.1 Introduction	p. 435
11.2 Scope and Organization of This Chapter	p. 436
11.3 Types of Performance Losses	p. 438
11.4 PEFC Components Associated with Different Types of Losses	p. 441
11.5 Operating Conditions	p. 447
11.6 Accelerated Test Protocols	p. 460
11.7 Conclusions and Future Outlook	p. 464
Acknowledgments	p. 466
References	p. 466
12 Future of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen	p. 469
12.1 Introduction	p. 469
12.2 A Brief History of Hydrogen as a Fuel	p. 470
12.3 Hydrogen Energy Technologies	p. 472
12.4 Is the Present Global Energy System Sustainable?	p. 487
12.5 Predicting the Future	p. 491
12.6 Sustainable Energy System of the Future	p. 495
12.7 Transition to Hydrogen or a "Hydricity Economy"	p. 500
12.8 The Coming Energy Revolution?	p. 503
12.9 Conclusions	p. 505
References	p. 505
Index	p. 509

Available:*

On Order

Summary

Summary

Table of Contents