What is a fuel cell?

According to experts, fuel cells are recognized as high-efficiency, convenient and environmentally friendly green energy devices. It uses the energy released by the chemical reaction of the substance to directly convert it into electrical energy, and it needs to continuously supply the living material - fuel and oxidant - to it. It is called a "fuel cell" because it converts fuel into a power output by chemical reaction. A fuel cell is a "generator" that utilizes the reverse reaction of electrolysis of water, and is composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched therebetween, wherein the negative electrode supplies fuel and the positive electrode supplies oxidant. In the middle is the electrolyte. If the electrolyte is solid, it is called a solid oxide fuel cell, ie S OFC.

The chemical reactants of ordinary manganese dry batteries are stored in the battery in advance. When the battery is powered outward, the reaction materials are consumed but cannot be replenished. Once the reaction materials are consumed, the battery can no longer supply power. For the battery, The reverse current must be charged to restore the reactive material to continue working. Fuel cells are different because the oxidants are input from the outside, and as long as they are continuously supplied, the fuel cells can be continuously supplied to the outside.

High-temperature solid oxide fuel cells directly convert chemical energy into electrical energy, without intermediate links, reducing energy loss, power generation efficiency of more than 45%, and total power generation rate of more than 85%. The fuel is widely used and the utilization rate of waste heat is high. Since such a battery has low conductivity and must be operated at a high temperature, the connection sealing material must use a rare metal such as platinum, and the battery cost is greatly increased.

At present, a new medium-temperature ceramic membrane fuel cell that has been successfully developed in China is a fuel cell using a ceramic membrane as an electrolyte. After the battery component is thinned, the internal resistance of the battery is lowered, and the output of the useful power is increased, so that the intermediate temperature is achieved without the need of high temperature, and the operating temperature is lowered to 700 to 500 °C. This new fuel cell inherits the advantages of high temperature S OFC while reducing costs.