How efficient is a PEM fuel cell?

How efficient is a PEM fuel cell?

The electrical efficiency of PEMFC is 40%–60%. The relative low hydrogen content reduces the electrical efficiency to ∼40%. Nevertheless, the system efficiency (including electrical energy and thermal energy) can reach 60%–80% if low-grade heat can be effectively recovered by energy recovery subsystem.

What does PEM stand for in fuel cells?

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, also called proton exchange membrane fuel cells, use a proton-conducting polymer membrane as the electrolyte. Hydrogen is typically used as the fuel.

How much does a PEM fuel cell cost?

A cost-neutral switch from the internal combustion engine to a fuel cell system leads to an allowable cost of US$30/kW for a complete PEMFC system and US$15/kW for a PEMFC stack, which will be operated on hydrogen [1].

Why are PEM fuel cells preferred?

The PEM or PEMFC type is the type preferred by, and actively being developed by, automakers. Its principal advantages are high volumetric power density, approaching 3 kW I− 1 for prototypes, short start-up times, and high tolerance of gas-pressure differential between cathode and anode.

How much hydrogen do fuel cells use?

Tests carried out on fuel cells have already shown that their durability is compatible with use in a hydrogen-powered vehicle or for an autonomous stationary application. PEM fuel cells consume about 0.8 Nm3 of hydrogen per kWh produced. A car needs 1.6 kilogram of hydrogen for every 100 miles covered.

How effective are hydrogen fuel cells?

3. Improved Efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hydrogen fuel cells are generally between 40-60% energy efficient. This range compares to the typical internal combustion engine of a car which is about 25% energy efficient.

What are PEM fuel cells made of?

PEMFCs are built out of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) which include the electrodes, electrolyte, catalyst, and gas diffusion layers.

How does a PEM electrolyser work?

In a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, the electrolyte is a solid specialty plastic material. Water reacts at the anode to form oxygen and positively charged hydrogen ions (protons). The electrons flow through an external circuit and the hydrogen ions selectively move across the PEM to the cathode.

Why are PEM fuel cells so expensive?

Hydrogen is only as clean as the energy used to produce it. Current hydrogen vehicles use fuel cells to convert the chemical energy to power. Fuel cells are very costly because they are complex and require expensive materials such as platinum.

Is hydrogen fuel cells expensive?

Long Answer: The average price of hydrogen for a light-duty fuel cell electric vehicle (passenger car) in California is $16.51 per kilogram, according to the 2019 Joint Agency Report (p17).

Where is PEM fuel cell used?

Due to their light weight, PEMFCs are most suited for transportation applications. PEMFCs for buses, which use compressed hydrogen for fuel, can operate at up to 40% efficiency. Generally PEMFCs are implemented on buses over smaller cars because of the available volume to house the system and store the fuel.

What are the 2 types of fuel cells that are used in modern aircraft?

What are two types of fuel cells that are used in modern aircraft? Integral fuel cells (cells that are a sealed-off portion of the structure) and bladder-type cells.