Time Schedule:
Neil L Ricker
CHEM E 345
Seattle Campus
Overview of fuel cells, fuel cell efficiency, types of fuel cells, applications of fuel cells, and fuels for fuel cells. Intended for students in science and engineering and fuel cell professionals desiring a technical knowledge of fuel cells. No credit available, if already given for CHEM E 445. Prerequisite: either CHEM 162 or CHEM 164; PHYS 122; recommended CHEM E 260.
Class description
This course serves as a gateway to fuel cell engineering for students interested in the subject and those going on to advanced study. The course provides students with an overview of different kinds of fuel cells (PEM, DMFC, AFC, PAFC, MCFC, SOFC), and the various components of fuel cell systems (Fuel processing, power conditioning, balance of plant). The broad spectrum of fuel cell applications and the overall fuel cell system efficiency for many real applications will be reviewed. Finally, various fuel options, safety, codes and standards for fuel cells will be reviewed. This course is intended for sophomores and higher in science and engineering and to fuel cell professionals desiring a technical overview of fuel cells.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lectures, in-class discussion, short homework assignments and a more involved final project. There is a distance-learning option.
Recommended preparation
Thermodynamics, including free energy of electrochemical reactions.
Class assignments and grading
homework (25%) two midterms (25% each) final project (25%)
