The practical efficiency of a PEMs is in the range of 50–60% .

Fuel cell vehicles, which use electric motors, are much more energy efficient. The fuel cell system can use 60% of the fuel’s energy—correspond- ing to more than a 50% reduction in fuel consumption compared to a conventional vehicle with a gasoline internal combustion engine.

They can generate high electrical power densities, in excess of 1.0 W/cm2 of cross-sectional area, and high current densities (>> 1 kA/cm2) at relatively high efficiency greater than 50%.

However, this calculation allows the comparison of different types of power generation. The theoretical maximum efficiency of a fuel cell approaches 100%, while the theoretical maximum efficiency of internal combustion engines is approximately 58%.

Calculating Fuel Cell System Efficiency The standard method for calculating the efficiency of a fuel cell power plant or other electrical generation device is to divide the electricity produced by the HHV of the fuel used.

Brief of PEM fuel cell The hydrogen activated to form the proton ion with the catalyst is injected in the Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). When the electron is forced to flow out, the proton passes through the membrane and produces electric energy. The proton ion turns into water.

“We found that compression makes platinum much more active. We observed a 90 per cent enhancement in the ability of platinum to reduce oxygen in water. This could improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells,” he said. The findings were published in the journal Science.

Alkaline Fuel Cells Operating at 60-70ºC (140-158ºF), AFCs are among the most efficient type of fuel cells, reaching up to 60% efficiency and up to 87% combined heat and power.

In a new study, scientists have designed tri-metallic electrocatalysts for hydrogen fuel cells that theoretically improve in both areas, outperforming the best platinum-based catalysts to date. …

Gather all of the necessary materials. To build a simple household fuel cell, you will need 12 inches (30 cm) of platinum or platinum-coated wire, a popsicle stick, a 9-volt battery and battery clip, clear tape, a glass of water, table salt (optional), a thin metal rod, and a volt meter.

How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work to Power The Future. Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to reinvent the cars we drive, the rockets we send into space, how we transport our goods and the way we power cities across the globe. Most notably, hydrogen fuel cells are used to power cars, buses and trains as a clean alternative to traditional petrol and diesel engines, which burn fuel to produce the energy they require.

How Hydrogen And Electric Cars Work Via: Fuel Cell Store Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) or Full Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) use pressurized hydrogen gas held in a tank and a fuel cell to chemically fuse hydrogen with oxygen. The chemical reaction produces electricity, which is sent to an electric motor to propel the vehicle.

A home fuel cell or a residential fuel cell is a scaled down version of industrial stationary fuel cell for primary or backup power generation. These fuel cells are usually based on combined heat and power-CHP or micro combined heat and power MicroCHP technology, generating both power and heated water or air.