Book Description

The focus of this book is on electrochemical hydrogen technologies and fuel cell technologies in particular. Precipitated by the energy crisis in 1973, intensive work has been done world-wide on hydrogen technologies. Water electrolysis was the main objective. The steady increase of combustion of fossil fuels, with the ensuing CO 2 content in the environment, has led to a greater need to change the use of energy conversion and consumption. Hydrogen, based on nuclear and renewable energies, could become indispensable for energy storage and long range transport. Only electrolysis allows the conversion of electrical energy into hydrogen with high efficiency. Prior to the introduction of non-polluting but very expensive methods for energy harvesting and conversion, it is first necessary to ascertain how to save energy and to refurbish energy conversion systems to obtain the highest efficiencies with the lowest CO 2 emissions, e.g. in large scale electricity generation.Collected here in 7 chapters are the contributions of internationally known electrochemical engineers who work actively in this rapidly developing field. The relevant work reviewed extends from fundamental findings in the field of technical electrocatalysis of hydrogen and oxygen reactions to water electrolysis, chlor-alkali electrolysis (which is still practically the most important process for electrolytic hydrogen generation), thermochemical hybrid cycles and on finally to fuel cells. The latter in their advanced form of heavy, high-temperature cells promise to become the basis for highly efficient electric power plants for converting the chemical energy of fossil fuels, or hydrogen from fossil combustibles like methane, or coal into electricity with system efficiencies greater than 55%.The material presented in this volume should prove of immense value to electrochemical engineers, producers of electrolyzers and fuel cells, electrical engineers and political/technical decision makers. It will also be of use to academic teachers lecturing on electrochemistry and advanced technologies.