Thermodynamics of Fuel Cells

Abstract

In this chapter the basic thermodynamic and electrochemical principles behind fuel cell operation and technology are described. The basic electrochemistry principles determining the operation of the fuel cell, the kinetics of redox reactions during the fuel cell operation, the mass and energy transport in a fuel cell, etc., are described briefly to give an understanding of practical fuel cell systems. The ideal and practical operation of fuel cells and their efficiency are also described. This will provide the framework to understand the electrochemical and thermodynamic basics of the operation of fuel cells and how fuel cell performance can be influenced by the operating conditions. The influence of thermodynamic variables like pressure, temperature, and gas concentration, etc., on fuel cell performance has to be analyzed and understood to predict how fuel cells interact with the systems where it is applied. Understanding the impact of these variables allows system analysis studies of a specific fuel cell application.