Course Title

Course Title: Fuel Cell Fundamentals

12 Professional Development Hours/1.2 CEUs

Course Description: The Fuel Cell Fundamentals course explores the various types of fuel cells and their components. Advantages and disadvantages of the various types of fuel cells are described as well. How they differ and how electrical energy is produced is also explained. The sources for hydrogen fuel are presented, as is the transportation, storage, and safety consideration of hydrogen fuel. The last section of this course focuses on PEM type fuel cells, which is the most prevalent in automotive applications.

Overall Course Objectives:

Develop an understanding of the electrochemical processes that create electrical energy in fuel cells.
Gain knowledge of the basics types of fuel cells and how they differ from each other.
Identify the sources for hydrogen and how they are used to produce fuel.

Course Content:

Lesson 1 -Introduction, Advantages and Disadvantages, Hydrogen Economy

Objectives:

Define a fuel cell and gain an understanding of the history and development of fuel cells.

Name and describe the functions of the components of fuel cells.

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cell technology & methods used for obtaining hydrogen.

Lesson 2 – Hydrogen Safety & Fuel Cell Standards

Objectives:

Understand the properties of hydrogen and how these properties affect its safe use.

Describe the four areas where codes and standards are being developed for the use of hydrogen.

Recognize the different organizations which are active in the regulation and development of hydrogen.

Lesson 3 - Fuels and Fuel Cell Types

Objectives:

Understand the variations in fuels used as hydrogen sources for fuel cells.

Describe what happens, physically and chemically, inside a fuel cell.

Become familiar with the different types of fuel cells.

Lesson 4 - Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Objectives:

Recognize the components of a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell.

Explain how a Proton Exchange membrane fuel cell functions to produce electrical power.

Understand why water management and catalyst activity are important in PEM fuel cells.

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