Fuel cell is a kind of power generation device which directly converts the chemical energy of fuel and oxidant into electric energy through electrochemical reaction, also known as electrochemical generator. It is the fourth power generation technology after hydropower generation, thermal power generation and atomic power generation. The fuel cell was first invented by Grove in 1893, and the first ion exchange membrane cell was first developed by the United States in August 1965. Since then, as a new type of pollution-free and efficient automobile power and power generation equipment, fuel cells have attracted more and more attention from scientists all over the world, and have been further studied and developed. ?
Fuel cells are very complex, involving theories of chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, material science, power system and automatic control, and have the following characteristics:
1. High energy conversion efficiency: The fuel cell directly converts the chemical energy of fuel into electric energy without going through the combustion process, so it is not limited by Carnot cycle.
Second, the environmental pollution is small: the harmful gas and noise emissions of fuel cells are very low, which helps to alleviate the greenhouse effect and reduce air pollution.
Third, the fuel range is wide: fuel cells are suitable for various fields, each with its own characteristics.
Fourth, it is easy to build: the fuel cell power station occupies a small area, has a short construction period and is very convenient to build. ?
Fifth, reduce the loss: the fuel cell has a fast load response, which effectively reduces the capacity of existing substation equipment and current-carrying equipment, thus reducing the investment and line loss of power transmission and transformation lines.