EBZ GmbH
EBZ GmbH - Fuel Cell Development and Distribution. We integrate fuel cells and balance of plant (BOP) components into customer focused and high efficient energy conversion systems, perfectly suitable for the future decentralised combined heat and power supply. Our in-house developed core components offer solutions for high temperatures at small scale capacities with minimal thermal and hydraulic losses. Due to our extensive experience with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) we are one of the leading industrial suppliers for test rigs in this sector. The EBZ GmbH is an internationally operating specialist for SOFC testing and high temperature components. Based on our strong dedication to research and development we combine mature technology with leading inventions into our customised SOFC test rigs and BOP components.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Fuel Cells
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
About Fuel Cells
The idea behind fuel cells isn't really new. With the ratified Paris Agreement in 2016 to reduce greenhouse gases and the increasing needs of power, fuel cells are a much needed alternative way of energy production. Fuel cells posses low emissions due to high efficiency and low noise pollution due to rarely moving parts. Therefore they are excellent candidates for future stationary and mobile applications. We provide you a brief overview of the history of fuel cells, how they work and there mayor application fields.
History
Who really did invent the fuel cell principle is disputed. Fact is: A simple test set-up generated an electric current due to the natural tendency of H2 and O2 to form water. The platinum electrodes are acting as catalysts while the dilute acid is the electrolyte between the O2 and H2 filled test tubes. A very small magnitude of current is produced and flows through the external circuit.
The Beginning
The principle of fuel cells was discovered already in the first half of 19th century. Many authors attribute the discovery of the fuel cell to the English physicist Sir William Robert Grove (1811 to 1896). First known experiments about the fuel cell effect were accomplished by Christian Friedrich Schönbein (1799 to 1868; at that time professor at the University of Basel). He detected a voltage by dipping two platinum wires, which were flowed by hydrogen respectively oxygen, into an electrolyte (probable sulphuric acid). This was published in the January edition 1839 of the «Philosophical Magazine”, which was known to Grove. However in contrary to Schönbein, Grove was a more practice-oriented man: he intended to use the fuel cell effect and designed a «gas battery” between 1842 and 1845.
The Forgotten
Towards the end of the 19th century Werner von Siemens (1816 - 1892) discovered the electro-dynamic principle. Due to the rapid development of combustion engines at turn of the century, the fuel cell technology was not able to gain importance and fell into oblivion.
The Comeback
For applications in aerospace and submarines fuel cells were rediscovered in the second half of the 20th century. Because of the relatively high costs, fuel cells (mostly alkali fuel cells AFC) were only used in niche applications. Due to the expectations based on the superior principle on one hand and the ongoing scientific progress on the other, fuel cells have become again a central object of research and development within the last 30 years. First achievements in the commercialisation are made in the last years in the stationary and mobile area as well.
Technology
Principles of Fuel Cells
Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy and heat. In this respect, fuel cells are comparable to batteries. However in contrast to batteries or accumulators, the chemical reactants are supplied continuously. This makes it interesting for durable operation in many applications. Due to its principle, fuel cells feature numerous advantages, which make them attractive for new products and sustainable supply structures:
- High electrical efficiency (from full to part load)
- Low noise emissions, as few moving parts (only in peripheral devices) are necessary
- Up to 50% lower ratio of CO2 emissions compared with conventional power stations
- Almost no emissions of pollutants like NOX, SO2, and CO
Fuel Cell Types
A large diversity of fuel cell types exist that differ in the kind of the electrolyte and the operation temperature. So the right cell can be found for every application. Numerous materials and shapes support the electrochemical process, which is going on in fuel cells. All cells do have one common characteristic: a conductive electrolyte that separates anode and cathode and allows only ions (as charge carriers) to pass. The electrons that are required for the chemical reaction have to move via the external electrical circuit - providing electrical power. The driving force is an oxygen partial pressure difference between cathode air and anode fuel. This mentioned principle underlies all fuel cells known until now.
Fuel cells are distinguished in according to its type of electrolyte material. This can be liquid or solid, it can comprise leach, polymer, salt or ceramic and determines the operating temperature. Relating to the material, temperatures vary from ambient up to 1000 °C that usually define the typical application fields.
SOFC – Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
As the name SOFC implies, all components of this fuel cell (anode, cathode, electrolyte and interconnect) are solid and became a big research topic since the 1950s. The use of ceramics allows the fabrication of different designs like tubular or planar cells. The SOFC offers great advantages like the high operating temperature which allows internal reforming, fuel flexibility and the decoupling of the by-product process heat. Due to the fact that oxygen ions are the charge carriers, H2 and CO can be used as fuels. Simple pre-reformers, regardless of the technology (ATR, CPOX or SR), can provide them from different hydrocarbons. Cause of this fuel independence, the SOFC is the outstanding power plant technology now and in the future.