Calculating the efficency of a hydrogen fuel cell

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell using the formula \(\frac{P_{OUT}}{P_{IN}} \times 100\). The user provided specific measurements, including an input power of 3.25 W (2.5 V at 1.3 A) and an output power of 2.01 x 10^-4 W (0.96 V at 0.21 mA). The user encountered an unreasonable efficiency result of 13980%, prompting questions about the correct calculation of force and whether both input and output power should be expressed in Joules.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electrical power calculations (P = V x I)
  • Knowledge of force calculation in Newtons (F = m x g)
  • Familiarity with efficiency formulas in physics
  • Basic principles of hydrogen fuel cell operation
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the principles of calculating efficiency in energy systems
  • Learn about the specific calculations for hydrogen fuel cell performance
  • Investigate the relationship between electrical power and mechanical power in fuel cells
  • Study the effects of measurement accuracy on efficiency calculations
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Students, engineers, and researchers interested in hydrogen fuel cell technology, energy efficiency calculations, and electrical power systems.

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Homework Statement



I'm trying to calulate the efficency of a small hydrogen fuell cell that I built. I have all of the measurements, but I'm not coming up with a resonable effiency.

Homework Equations



\frac{P OUT}{P IN}x 100

The power to electrolyze the water is the P IN.
3.25 W =2.5 V x .00021 Amps (.21 mA)

We measured the electrical power out finding the voltage and amperage.
P OUT = V x I
2.01 x 10^-4 W=.96 V x .00021 AMPS (.21 mA)

I caulcate the force to be 1.421 N


Then I take the electrical P Out and use it as the P IN for the car

the P IN for the car is the electrical P Out

and the P Out for the car is F x V

To find the % efficiency:

\frac{p Out of the Car}{P in Car} x 100

The avg velocity is .0198 m/s


The Attempt at a Solution




I'm coming up with an unreasonable calculation
 
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To the Electrical power I'm coming up with:

P IN = 2.5 V x 1.3 AMPS = 3.25 W

P Out = .96 x .00021 amps = 2.01 x 10 ^ -4 W

I'm taking the P Out and using it as the power In for the car.

For the car:

P in = 2.01 x 10^-4 W
P Out = F x V
2.81 x 10^-2 J = 1.421 N x .0198 m/s

P out/ p in x 100
13980 definitely isn't reasonable.
Should my P in and P out for the car both be in Joules?

Also I'm not sure if I'm calculating the force in th right way. We used a spring scale and my measurement was .160 kg. I'm I just supposed to multiply that by 9.8 m/s^2. I know that this way gives me Newtons, but the car isn't being affected by gravity anyways. If someone could look this over I'd appreciate it.
 
can someone just let me know if I'm calculating the force the rigt way?
 
correction: it took 1.3 amps to electroylze the water
 

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