LEARNING OUTCOMES
The goal is to understand the physical foundations of fuel cells, operational principles of different fuel cell types and their practical applications as well as to the key areas of hydrogen technology at a level adequate for needs found in practical or academic environments.
After the course, students will be able to
- List the cell reaction, electrolyte and electrode materials, compatible fuels, typical operating conditions and common applications of the most important fuel cell technologies
- Explain the fundamental working principle of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEMFC) and solid oxide (SOFC) fuel cells in terms of their structure and underlying physical phenomena
- Determine from thermodynamic principles the reversible cell voltage of a fuel cell, and how it depends on temperature, pressure and reactant concentrations
- Name the most important performance loss mechanisms of PEMFCs and SOFCs, and describe how they relate to the material and structural properties of the fuel cell
- Explain the theoretical derivation of Nernst, Butler-Volmer, and Tafel equations, and use them to interpret experimental result and evaluate performance of catalyst and electrode materials
- Describe and evaluate the efficiency and operating characteristics of PEMFCs and SOFCs through a fuel cell model, and determine its parameters by fitting to experimental polarization curves
- Describe the properties of hydrogen as a fuel, and its safety aspects and storage technologies
- Sketch and perform simple design calculations of fuel cell systems for portable, transportation and combined heat and power production
Credits: 5
Schedule: 09.01.2023 - 20.04.2023
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Janne Halme
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
Physical principles and thermodynamics of electrochemical energy conversion and fuel cells. Fuel cell reaction kinetics and charge transport. Polymer electrolyte membrane and solid oxide fuel cells, their electrochemistry, heat and mass transfer. Performance characteristics and efficiency of fuel cells, and factors affecting them. Fuel cell modeling, polarization curves, and fuel cell measurement techniques. Hydrogen as a fuel and its characteristics, storage and use, and safety aspects. Fuel cell systems and applications. Lab work to measure the performance of a fuel cell.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
1. Homework assignments, 2. lab work and 3. final exam or a team project work
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
30 h contact teaching, 105 h self-study and group work
DETAILS
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
7 Affordable and Clean Energy
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
13 Climate Action
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language : English
Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring III - IV
2023-2024 No teaching
- Teacher: Halme Janne