How Do Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Work?
Fuel cells function like everyday batteries through electrochemical reactions; however, they do not run down or need to be recharged. The fuel, ideally pure hydrogen gas, enters the anode compartment where a catalyst encourages the electrons to break away from the hydrogen. The electrons flow away forming an electric current that flows through the load to the cathode, where oxygen from the air “gobbles up” the free electrons. The oxygen ions then pass through the electrolyte and form water molecules with the hydrogen protons. The products of this reaction are water, excess oxygen, and waste heat if the fuel used is pure hydrogen; otherwise, carbon dioxide will also be produced. Reaction Equation: H2 (g) + 1/2O2 (g) → H2O (g) Fuel For Fuel Cells Hydrogen gas, water, gasoline, methane, ethanol, natural gas, diesel fuel, and other hydrocarbons can be used as fuel for fuel cells. Since the reaction requires only hydrogen atoms, a fuel reformer must be added to fuels that are not pure hydro
