HTFC (High Temperature Fuel Cell)

HTFC is the abbreviation for high-temperature fuel cells developed at the research center of German carmaker Volkswagen.

Abbreviation HTFC is created from the English words High Temperature Fuel Cell and indicates high temperature fuel cells used to power cars. High-temperature fuel cells, researchers have developed a German carmaker Volkswagen. Since this technology can promise cheaper, lighter and more stable source of energy than does the classic low-temperature fuel cell. Common low-temperature fuel cell operates at temperatures around approximately 81 ° C, while the new high-temperature fuel cells operate at temperatures around 120 ° C.

Volkswagen expects the HTFC new fuel cell could be used in passenger cars around 2020.

Principle:

The principle of fuel cell is quite simple and long known. Fuel cell is actually a galvanic cell produces electricity through an electrochemical reaction. Usually one of the oxy-hydrogen reaction. Hydrogen can be produced for example by electrolysis of water. The effectiveness of the entire cycle (electricity - hydrogen - electricity) is then about 30-40%.

History:

Swiss scientist Christian Friedrich Schönbein discovered the principle of fuel cells as early as 1838. After the discovery of the dynamo by Werner von Siemens fuel cell, however, fell in partial oblivion. Scientists have him back in the 60 the 20th century with the emerging space program. This was compared to other possible sources of favorable ratio of energy / mass. Fuel cells operate in the current space shuttles.