Chapter 8: Overview of Fuel Cell Types

This chapter discusses the five major types of fuel cells, differentiated from one another on the basis of their electrolyte. Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), alkaline fuel cell (AFC), molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). It also briefly introduces a diverse set of exciting “nonstandard” fuel cell types and related electrochemical devices, which defy conventional classification. These include direct liquid-fueled fuel cells, biological fuel cells, membraneless fuel cells, metal-air cells, single-chamber SOFCs, direct-flame SOFCs, liquid-tin anode SOFCs, protonic ceramic fuel cells, reversible fuel cell/electrolyzers, and redox flow batteries. The chapter concludes with a summary of the relative merits of each of the primary fuel cell types. The nonstandard fuel cell types include direct liquid-fueled fuel cells, biological fuel cells, membraneless fuel cells, metal-air cells, single-chamber SOFCs, direct flame SOFCs, and liquid-tin anode SOFCs.