This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: What are the disadvantages to the alkaline fuel cell (AFC) that make it more expensive to operate ... (Read 35 times)

penguins

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 903
What are the disadvantages to the alkaline fuel cell (AFC) that make it more expensive to operate than other fuel cells?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe the operation of a direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC).
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

morrie123456

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 314
Answer to Question 1

The primary disadvantage is the requirement for pure oxygen and pure hydrogen. The fuel cell is also poisoned easily by CO2 and they have a shorter average lifetime than other fuel cell, making them less cost effective.

Answer to Question 2

Methanol and water is supplied to the fuel cell and hydrogen is extracted from the methanol by a steam reformer. Electrons are released from the hydrogen at the anode and travel through the external circuit to the cathode as electrical current. Oxygen is from air is ionized at the cathode and oxygen ions combine with hydrogen ions to form water.





 

Did you know?

HIV testing reach is still limited. An estimated 40% of people with HIV (more than 14 million) remain undiagnosed and do not know their infection status.

Did you know?

On average, someone in the United States has a stroke about every 40 seconds. This is about 795,000 people per year.

Did you know?

The cure for trichomoniasis is easy as long as the patient does not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. Just a single dose of medication is needed to rid the body of the disease. However, without proper precautions, an individual may contract the disease repeatedly. In fact, most people develop trichomoniasis again within three months of their last treatment.

Did you know?

More than 30% of American adults, and about 12% of children utilize health care approaches that were developed outside of conventional medicine.

Did you know?

The highest suicide rate in the United States is among people ages 65 years and older. Almost 15% of people in this age group commit suicide every year.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library