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This dissertation, A Study on the Performance of Proton-exchange-membrane Fuel Cells and Solar Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production by Wan-yin, Lui, 呂韻妍, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled THE PERFORMANCE OF PROTON-EXCHANGE-MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS AND SOLAR ELECTROLYSIS FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION Submitted by Lui Wan Yin for the degree of Master of Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong in March 2003 Solar energy is a free, clean and renewable energy source. Photovoltaic solar panels can convert solar energy into electrical energy. One of the problems in utilizing solar energy is that it is only available during the day. Therefore, the energy needs to be stored up so that a continued flow of energy can be supplied even when there is no sunlight. Batteries are commonly used to store electricity. However, lead and cadmium in battery are toxic to human beings. The lifetime of a battery is short and the eventual disposal of batteries poses environmental problems. In this study, a fuel cell was used to supply power to various domestic appliances. A water electrolysis system powered by a photovoltaic solar panel was designed to provide the hydrogen source to the fuel cell. The possibility of using hydrogen as a medium of storing solar generated electrical power was studied. The characteristics and performance of the fuel cell were tested, and the study concluded that fuel cells provided power supply quickly and efficiently for both DC and AC applications. The hydrogen production rate of the photovoltaic solar electrolysis system was also measured, and the factors affecting the production of hydrogen by water electrolysis investigated. The optimum concentration of KOH in electrolyte was found to be 6M. The study recommended the use of gas diffusion, since it can reduce the bubbling effect and increase the rate of reaction. Finally, the capability of using solar hydrogen on fuel cell was studied, the size of the photovoltaic solar panel estimated. Metal hydride was recommended for storing the hydrogen produced. Further studies on hydrogen purification and storage, and alternative methods of providing electricity, were suggested. DOI: 10.5353/th_b2666242 Subjects: Fuel cells - TestingSolar batteries - TestingHydrogen as fuel

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