What fuels can be used in fuel cells?

Common fuels include hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, and ammonia. The use of fuels other than hydrogen may be beneficial for the commercialization of fuel cells in the near term, but the overall goal of fuel cell technology is to use pure hydrogen from renewable sources of energy other than fossil fuels.

Can carbon monoxide be used in a fuel cell?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, has long been a major technical barrier to the efficient operation of fuel cells. The compound not only removes CO from gas streams for fuel cells, but also converts the energy content of CO into a liquid that subsequently can be used to power a fuel cell.

Is ch4 used in fuel cell?

Direct methane fuel cells—in which methane is used directly, without first being converted into hydrogen—could produce energy more efficiently than combustion-based methods. Researchers developed a low-temperature direct methane fuel cell in 1962, and Andrew M.

What is meant by poisoning of fuel cell?

Hydrogen fuel cells have their own Achilles’ heel, however: They are easily poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO). If even minute quantities of carbon monoxide are present in that gas, it can poison the platinum catalysts that are key to driving the fuel cell.

Is carbon monoxide an electrolyte?

Electrolyte Solutions It is important to keep in mind, however, that CO2 is not an electrolyte, because CO2 itself does not dissociate into ions. Only compounds that dissociate into their component ions in solution qualify as electrolytes.

How is methane converted to hydrogen?

In steam-methane reforming, methane reacts with steam under 3–25 bar pressure (1 bar = 14.5 psi) in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide. Steam reforming is endothermic—that is, heat must be supplied to the process for the reaction to proceed.

Is fuel cell an alternative energy?

Hydrogen, when used in a fuel cell to provide electricity, is a zero tailpipe emissions alternative fuel produced from diverse energy sources. Currently, drivers of light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can fuel up at retail stations in less than 5 minutes and obtain a driving range of more than 300 miles.