Electrochemical Oxidation of Fuels and Fuel Cell

Abstract

Fuel cells are the energy conversion system where the direct conversion from chemical energy to electric energy takes place using an electrochemical system. We can theoretically use many kind of fuels, such as methanol, ethanol, hydrazine and even carbon. Their theoretical efficiencies are very high. However, the electrochemical oxidation rates of fuels other than hydrogen is far small compared to that of hydrogen especially at low temperatures. To improve their activities the anode catalyst is a key. And the analysis of the reaction products is important to get a complete oxidation. In high temperature fuel cells such as molten carbonate fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells, we can use many kinds of fuels including carbon and carbon monoxide. Fuel cells could be applied in wide variety of fuels and wide range of temperatures.