A process in which a chemical change, especially decomposition, is brought about by passing an electric current through a solution of electrolytes so that the electrolyte's ions move toward the negative and positive electrodes and react with them. If negative ions move toward the anode, they lose electrons and become neutral, resulting in an oxidation reaction. This also happens if atoms of the anode lose electrons and go into the electrolyte solution as positive ions. If positive ions move toward the cathode and gain electrons, becoming neutral, a reduction reaction takes place. Electrolysis is used for many purposes, including the extraction of metals from ores, the cleaning of archaeological artefacts, the coating of materials with thin layers of metal (electroplating) and the hydrogen production from water decomposition.
Published in Chapter:
Use of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Refrigerated Transport
Raquel Garde (National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Spain), Sindia Casado (National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Spain), Fernando Jimenez (National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Spain), Gabriel Garcia-Naveda (National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Spain), and Monica Aguado (National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Spain)
Copyright: © 2015
|Pages: 44
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-8398-3.ch024
Abstract
Benchmark refrigeration systems in the road transportation sector are powered by diesel, having operation costs of up to 6,000 €/y with the consequent increase of the goods cost. This chapter presents an alternative refrigeration system based on fuel cells (FC) and hydrogen as fuel, with higher efficiency, reduced costs and independent of diesel price fluctuations. Examples of the energy load profiles impact on the FC sizing, H2 consumption and system autonomy are presented as well as a description of the FC model and performance simulation results. The economical feasibility of this new refrigeration system linked to renewable energies is also analyzed and an economical assessment for different scenarios is presented.