Electrochemistry and Engineering of Fuel Cells

Covers fuel cell science from an introduction to the basics of fuel cells, through performance evaluation, applications, fuel processing to mathematical modelling.

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This new textbook is aimed at students, researchers, teachers, engineers, technology experts, entrepreneurs and developers of fuel cells. It comprehensively covers fuel cell science starting from an introduction to the basics of fuel cells, through performance evaluation, applications, balance of plant, fuel processing, system diagnostics and laboratory procedures to mathematical modelling. There are also separate sections on cell and stack operation, and system engineering and economic factors are also included. The first few chapters deal with classification and history of fuel cells, the basic thermodynamics of a fuel cell, the electrochemistry of fuel cells, transport phenomena and other limitations to cell performance. These chapters also examine the transport phenomena of mass, momentum, and energy. There are separate chapters on the various major types of fuel cells, such as the alkaline fuel cell, phosphoric acid fuel cell, proton exchange membrane fuel cell, molten carbonate fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cell. The book contains new chapters, which are not frequently found in books dealing with fuel cells and are useful to fuel cell students and practitioners.
Such chapters are impedance spectroscopy applied to fuel cells, modelling of fuel cell electrode processes, new developments dealing with biofuel cells, microbial fuel cells, micro-fluidics and hybrid battery-fuel cell types, etc. The chapters on fuel processing and direct alcohol fuel cells have the latest developments and the sections on non-Nafion(r) type membranes and desensitization of fuel cell anodes against impurities are of added importance. For each type, the book describes major advantages, disadvantages, future challenges, operational methods, typical cell components and configurations with the typical designs of stacks and systems, materials used and construction methods, the influence of various operating and design parameters on output. This student friendly book deals with sufficient thermodynamics, electrochemistry, catalysis, mathematical modelling, experimental methodology, engineering, economics and practical examples. As the authors are experienced not only in fuel cells, but also in catalysis, physics, materials science and technology transfer, the book gives a comprehensive outlook with a balanced perspective.
It is well illustrated with figures, tables, pictures, schema and examples and features exercises and a question bank for the benefit of teachers and students.