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The principle of fuel cell was discovered in 1839. The applications we enjoy today are resulted from strenuous efforts in continuous research and development. With the brief introduction below, we hope to share with you the development and application of fuel cell.
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| The Principle of Fuel Cell |
| The Advantages of Fuel Cell |
| Development and Application |
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| The Principle of Fuel Cell |
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| Briefly speaking, a fuel cell is
a kind of cell. It is similar in principle to a battery that
converts the chemical energy directly into electricity. But
they are different in structure, with the fuel and oxidant stored
externally in the case of fuel cell.
In 1839, Mr William Grove, a British jurist and amateur physicist,
discovered the principle of fuel cell. He used four large
cells, each containing hydrogen and oxygen to successfully
generate electric power.
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Full cell technology has been applied
in developing spacecraft in the United States
Photo courtesy of DOE/NREL/PIX, photo credit, NASA |
In 1959, the first fuel cell vehicle was developed. In 1960,
fuel cell technology (alkaline type) was applied in developing
Gemini and Apollo spacecraft in the United States. Over the
years, there have been significant developments in fuel cell
technology. The six types of fuel cells commonly used today
have different fuel components according to different applications.
They range in size from those for portable hand-held electronics,
to full scale power plants. The first 200 kW commercial fuel
cell power plant went into operation in the United States
in 1991.
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| The Advantages of Fuel Cell |
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| In comparison with today's advanced combustion-based
technologies, fuel cell offers a number of advantages: |
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Good energy efficiency
at small and medium scale, facilitating portable and distributed
stationary power applications. |
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Opportunities
to raise overall energy efficiency by using both the power
and heat generated, when they are installed at the point
of use. |
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Quieter and lower
impact on air quality than conventional combustion of
fossil fuels. |
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| Development and Application |
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Most fuel cells use hydrogen as the fuel source. Since hydrogen
is not a readily available fuel, it has to be produced. Hydrogen
fuel can be generated in many different ways. However, fuel
cell is considered as renewable energy technology only if
the hydrogen fuel is generated from renewable energy sources.
Futurists believe that in the long run hydrogen will replace
fossil fuel as our main source of fuel, and the hydrogen-based
fuel cell technology will play an indispensable role in the
future.
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Full Cell Bus
Photo courtesy of DOE/NREL/PIX, photo credit, SunLine
Transit Agency |
The development of fuel cell technology is proceeding rapidly
worldwide. Major automobile manufacturers are working to commercialise
their fuel cell passenger cars in the next few years. There
is also research on the commercial use of fuel cells for vending
machines, vacuum cleaners, highway road signs, and miniature
fuel cells for mobile phones and notebook computers. Other
research studies include the feasibility of industrial use
of fuel cells. An example is that wastewater treatment plants
and landfills are developing fuel cells to convert methane
gas they produce into electricity.
Fuel cells can be used for public transportation. There are
currently a variety of fuel cell-equipped bus demonstration
programmes in progress in Japan, the United States and Europe.
There are also similar programmes in Mexico, Brazil, Egypt,
India and Chinese mainland.
Currently, tertiary institutions in Hong Kong are conducting
various research projects and tests on fuel cells, while some
local organisations also sponsor studies on the application
of fuel cells in transportation systems.
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Full Cell Car
Photo courtesy of DOE/NREL/PIX, photo credit, Turner,
John - NREL |
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