Course Description |
Credits: 3. Overview of fuel cells, fuel cell efficiency, types of fuel cells, applications of fuel cells, and fuels for fuel cells. Intended for students in science and engineering and fuel cell professionals desiring a technical knowledge of fuel cells. No credit available, if already given for CHEM E 445. Offered: A. |
Designation |
Elective. |
Prerequisites |
CHEM 162; PHYS 122; recommended CHEM E 260. |
Textbook |
Fuel Cell Engineering Course Notes (prepared by instructor). |
Course Objectives |
This course provides an overview of fuel cells to students interested in the subject and those going on to advanced study. The overview includes basic principles of fuel cell reactions, potentials, and efficiencies. History, technical details, and current state of development of various types of fuel cells are covered including proton exchange membrane (PEMFC), solid oxide (SOFC), direct methanol (DMFC), phosphoric acid (PAFC), molten carbonate (MCFC), and alkaline (AFC) fuel cells. |
Topics Covered
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- Introduction: Energy: combustion, direct energy conversion, fuel cells (1 lecture)
- Thermodynamics and Efficiency: Open circuit voltage; temperature, pressure, concentration effects; fuel utilization, current and voltage efficiencies, potentials, overpotentials, polarization curves (3 lectures)
- Fuel Cell Operations: heat dissipation, performance variables (2 lectures)
- Stacks: Ballard Mark V stack components, cell stacking schemes, manifolding (2 lectures)
- Fuel Cell Technologies: proton exchange membrane, alkaline, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide (8 lectures)
- Fuels for Fuel Cells: fuel selection, well to wheels efficiency, fuel processing, contamination problems (2 lectures)
- Power Conditioning: power semiconductors, DC-DC converters, AC-DC converters (2 lectures)
- Balance of Plant: compressors, turbines, pumps, heat exchange (1 lecture)
- Applications: stationary, distributed generation, miniature fuel cells, transportation, portable fuel cells (2 lectures)
- Codes and Safety: Fire and pressure vessel codes, hydrogen safety, oxygen safety, electrical safety (2 lectures)
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Class schedule: |
Three one-hour classes per week. |
Contributions of Course to meeting the Professional
Component:
Engineering
Design content
Chemistry content |
Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes:
(a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
(c) The graduate should have an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
(d) An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
(e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
(h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
(i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
(j) A knowledge of contemporary issues related to safety and the environment. |
| Prepared by: |
Eric M. Stuve, Date: May 23, 2007 |
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