In a future society fuel cells are expected to play an important role as energy converters in vehicles, portable electronics and for distributed heat- and power generation. In the course we will discuss:
• thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical reactions
• the design and operation of fuel cells
• components, design and thermodynamics of the whole fuel cell system
• fuels for fuel cells; their production, handling and reformation in fuel cell systems
• power electronics in fuel cell systems
Apart from lectures, tutorials are held in order to make it easier to understand the calculation directed parts of the course and also to give the students a practical experience of solving fuel cell related problems. Beside the teacher led activities there is also a compulsory group assignment, in which the students solve problems related to a fuel cell system for a given application. The group assignment is examined in a written report and in an oral exam.
After completed course you should be able to:
- Explain how a fuel cell works and describe the main components and their function.
- Describe the different fuel cell types with respect to electrolyte and electrode materials, operating temperature, electrode reactions, and applications.
- Explain and implement the relation between cell voltage, power density and efficiency of the fuel cell.
- Calculate an equilibrium potential, and explain and implement the relation between electrode potential, over potential and cell voltage.
- Determine the electric as well as the total efficiency for both the fuel cell and its system by using thermodynamic data.
- Describe the main components in a fuel cell system for production of power and heat, and explain how the different components work together.
- Describe frequently used power electronics in the fuel cell system and their most important properties.
- Describe the fuel alternatives for production of hydrogen in stationary as well as in mobile applications, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages when regarding production, storage and distribution.
- Explain the most important processes for hydrogen production and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of them.
- Solve, in a group, a given assignment, and in a written report and in an oral examination explain and discuss how the group assignment was solved.
For higher grades you should also be able to:
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different fuel cell types and from this suggest and motivate the choice of a certain fuel cell for a given application.
- Decide what system components (fuel reformer, fuel cell type, power converter etc) that are preferred for a given application, and schematically illustrate such a system.
- Discuss how fuel cells could be integrated in the society and in the existing energy system.
