Unit 1 Introduction to Fuel Cell Technology

12 lecture hours

•  Principle & working of a fuel cell  Fuel cell components: Membrane
• bipolar plates
• gas diffusion layers  Types of fuel cells: AFC, PEMFC
• PAFC  Comparison of Battery vs Fuel Cell  Low- and high-temperature fuel cells  Simple performance evaluation (fuel consumption vs power output)

Unit 2 Fuel Cell Reactions and Performance

10 lecture hours

•  Basics of fuel cell thermodynamics and kinetics (simplified)  Electrode reactions
• activation and ohmic losses (conceptual)  Overvoltage
• polarization curve (basic understanding)  Fuel cell system design – stack arrangement
• air/fuel supply
• cooling  Applications of different fuel cells (transport
• stationary power
• portable devices)

Unit 3 Hydrogen in Fuel Cell Technology

•  Hydrogen as a fuel – physical and chemical properties (lightest element
• high energy per unit mass
• clean fuel).  Role of hydrogen in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Hydrogen Economy – concept
• future potential, and challenges.  Hydrogen production Methods: o Electrolysis of water (basic principle
• efficiency). o Natural gas reforming (steam reforming
• partial oxidation)
• o Coal gasification (with CCS)
• 12 27% GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Program Name: Diploma Engineering Level: Diploma Branch: Renewable Energy Subject Code: DI04064031 Subject Name: Fuel Cell Technology w.e.f. 2025-26 http://syllabus.gtu.ac.in/ Page 3 of 6 o Renewable-based hydrogen
•  Emerging methods: photo-electrochemical
• microbial hydrogen production (basic introduction).  Hydrogen applications in: Fuel cells for EVs (cars
• Power generation (stationary fuel cells
• Portable devices (electronics
• backup systems)

Unit 4 Hydrogen Storage, Transport and Safety

11 lecture hours

•  Hydrogen Storage Technologies: o Compressed gas storage (cylinders
• tanks). o Liquid hydrogen storage (cryogenic tanks
• challenges). o Solid-state storage: metal hydrides
• chemical hydrides
• carbon nanomaterials.  Hydrogen Transport Methods: o Pipelines
• tube trailers
• cryogenic tankers. o On-site generation vs centralized production. o Role of blending hydrogen with natural gas (H2NG).  Hydrogen Infrastructure: o Hydrogen fueling stations – layout and working. o Storage tanks
• dispensers. o Integration with renewable power sources.  Safety Considerations: o Hydrogen leak detection methods. o Properties related to safety: flammability
• ignition energy. o Ventilation and safe handling practices. o Standards and regulations (ISO, BIS, DOE guidelines – overview only)