In recent years, due to the further increase in carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere, the earth has gradually warmed. Car exhaust and the emissions of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides from some factories have led to the formation of acid rain. These are environmental pollution Therefore, environmental problems have attracted more and more attention from all walks of life around the world. In order to solve the problem of environmental pollution, realize clean energy, and improve energy conversion and utilization, scientists from all over the world have developed materials that do not pollute the environment after years of hard work? fuel cell. This is an ideal energy source that is being developed in depth and is known as the top ten technologies in the future world.
A fuel cell is a power generation device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel and oxidant into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. It is also called an electrochemical generator. It is the fourth power generation technology after hydropower, thermal power and atomic power. Grove first invented the fuel cell in 1893. In August 1965, the United States developed the first ion exchange membrane battery. Since then, the fuel cell has become more and more popular internationally as a new type of pollution-free, high-efficiency automobile power and power generation equipment. It has attracted more and more attention from scientists from all over the world and has received further research and development. ?
Fuel cells are very complex and involve relevant theories in chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, materials science, power systems and automatic control. They have the following characteristics: ?
Chapter 1. High energy conversion efficiency: The fuel cell directly converts the chemical energy of the fuel into electrical energy without going through the combustion process, so it is not restricted by the Carnot cycle. ?
Second, low environmental pollution: Fuel cells emit very low harmful gases and noise, which helps alleviate the greenhouse effect and reduce air pollution.
Third, a wide range of fuels: Fuel cells are suitable for various fields with their own characteristics.
Fourth, easy to construct: Fuel cell power stations occupy a small area, have a short construction period, and are very convenient to construct. ?
Fifth, reduce losses: Fuel cells respond quickly to load, effectively reducing existing transformer equipment and current carrier capacity, thereby reducing transmission line investment and line losses.