What Are the Different Types of Fuel Cells and How Do They Work?
A fuel cell chemically combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce water, heat, and electricity. There are many different types of fuel cells each with their own specific operating principles. A few of the different types of fuel cells include: 1) Alkaline fuel cells (AFC); 2) Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC); 3) Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC); 4) Proton/polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC); 5) Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC); and 6) Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). For more information on the specific operating principles of these fuel cells, please visit any of the following Fuel Cells Canada member companies’ Web sites: Direct Methanol: www.methanex.com Proton/Polymer Exchange Membrane: www.ballard.com www.hpower.com www.hydrogenics.com www.palcan.com Solid Oxide: www.fuelcelltechnologies.ca www.globalte.com What is the History of Fuel Cells? The Fuel Cell was first developed by William Grove, a Welsh judge with intense scientific curiosity. In 1839 Grove was experimenting
