Fuel Cell

08.01.2024

Fuel Cell , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

   Why in the news?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully demonstrated a fuel cell that uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and releases heat and water as byproducts.

What is a Fuel Cell?

• A fuel cell is a device that makes electricity from fuel and air.
• Instead of burning the fuel to make heat to drive a mechanical generator, fuel cells react the fuel and air electrochemically, without combustion.
• The electrochemical approach avoids pollutants that are created by high flame temperatures, and it is a more direct and efficient way to make power from a fuel.
• Fuel cells are configured in stacks of individual cells connected in a series.

How does a Fuel Cell Work?

• Fuel cells work like batteries, but they do not run down or need recharging.
• They produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied.
• A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode)—sandwiched around an electrolyte.
• A fuel, such as hydrogen, is fed to the anode, and air is fed to the cathode.
• In a hydrogen fuel cell, a catalyst at the anode separates hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons, which take different paths to the cathode.
• The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity.
• The protons migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode, where they unite with oxygen and the electrons to produce water and heat.

Benefits of Fuel Cells:

• Clean Energy: Fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction, producing only water and heat as by-products. This makes them a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• High Efficiency: Fuel cells are highly efficient, with some fuel cell systems achieving efficiencies of up to 60%. This means that more energy is converted into usable electricity, reducing the amount of waste generated during the process.
• Versatility: Fuel cells can be used in a variety of applications, from transportation to stationary power systems. This versatility makes them a promising option for India, which is facing a growing energy demand.
• Reliability: Fuel cells are highly reliable and can provide a continuous source of energy, making them well-suited for use in critical applications such as hospitals and disaster relief efforts.

                                                           Source: Business standard