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What Is Fuel Cell And What Are The Major Applications?

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At early 1839, the basic operating principle of fuel cells was discovered by a British Scientist named Sir William Robert Grove. He is known as the ''Father of The Fuel Cell''. He discovered this by reversing water electrolysis from hydrogen and oxygen in order to generate electricity. In a nutshell, it is an electrochemical device which continuously generates electrical energy from chemical energy as long as fuel and oxidant are supplied.
Though there are few similarities between the batteries and fuel cells devices, the principle, process and applications are precisely different. Unlike the batteries, the fuel cell doesn't need any sort of recharging. When hydrogen is used as a fuel, it operates efficiently and quickly with generating power and drinking water. It is the one of the reasons that sometimes it is called as zero-emission engine.
According to the researchers, the fuel cells finally have come of age due to the widespread commercial uses. Probably more than 2500 systems have been installed in all over the world. In quest of having versatile uses, we can distinguish the total applications through three major factors: transportation, Stationary power generation and portable application.
Transportation:
Fuel cells are being considered as most important contributor in the transport sector for its high efficiency electrochemical energy. These would rather reduce the consumption of primary energy and the emission of carbon dioxide than the ordinary thermal engine. The zero or ultra low emission, which have inspired the world renowned automotive companies, is the most attractive and contending part of the transport application.
Fuel cell vehicle is a type of vehicle where wheels are driven by the electric motor. Using externally provided hydrogen and outside air's oxygen, it generates electricity by creating chemical reaction without any burning (combusting). Then the electricity drives the electric motor just exactly ordinary battery power up with electric motor. The hydrogen must be stored in a tank of the vehicle as compressed gas. Hydrogen can be pumped to the tank from the hydrogen refueling station.
Though it is an efficient and eco-friendly system, the cost of this type of vehicle is still bit high with comparison to other ordinary vehicle. And major automobile companies are striving to bring this in domestic use with cost effective methods.
Stationary Power:
Scientists are taking into account the commercial reality of fuel cells. They have got the potential high efficiencies with low temperature proton exchange membrane. Basically in combined heat and power generation, the low carbon dioxide emissions have become a major argument in the small stationary power system for using. Saving energy, small scale portable power generation, increased reliability, low emission, vibration and also noise, long term cost saving are few benefits.
Portable Power
In spite of less well defined portable market, the potentiality of power generation is seen in the 1kw portable market. The portable fuel cell includes grid-independent application such as traffic monitoring, camping and yachting. The application can be varied one application to another. High efficiency, fuel diversity and high power density are the advantages of using portable fuel cells.
Depending upon the requirements and applications, there are different types of fuel cells. In addition to the generating electricity, it also produces water, heat and other few chemicals. The rate of efficiency is normally between 40%-60%. And if the wastage heat can be used, the efficiency will raise up to 85%.

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